ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Thursday, June 21, 2007

By CANDY BROOKS
ThisWeek Staff Writer

The Worthington library system is the best in the country.

That declaration became official last Friday when the local library system was named 2007 Library of the Year by Library Journal and Thompson Gale Publishing.

Libraries director Meribah Mansfield announced the honor to an overflow crowd of Worthington leaders gathered at the Old Worthington Library last Friday morning.

They responded with a non-library-like standing ovation.

Mansfield, who will accept the award along with a $10,000 check at a Washington, D.C. ceremony next Monday, said that telling the community was exciting, but telling her staff was even better.

"The staff of this library is so amazing, they are so fantastic," she said.

Mansfield also thanked the Libraries board of trustees and the residents of the Worthington community for making the library what it is today.

"It's the community that keeps this place humming and has for 200 years," she said.

The national library of the year award has been given since 1992. Worthington was a finalist in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2006.

The Salt Lake City Public Library won last year. The Medina County Library, which won in 1998, is the only other Ohio winner.

The award places the spotlight of the national library world on Worthington. The Library Journal, the leading publication of the library profession, features Worthington Libraries on its cover and in a four page spread in its June 15 edition.

"Created by settlers who brought their books with them from Connecticut, the library is still the focal point of the community," states a press release from the Library Journal.

The award winner is selected based on service to the community; creativity and innovation in community programs; increase in library use; and leadership in creating programs that can be emulated by other libraries.

Like Mansfield, the story about the Libraries in the magazine cites the community and staff as crucial to its success.

"The ties to the community it serves are a crucial legacy and a vital asset to the current Worthington Libraries," the article states. "With great ingenuity, the staff at Worthington Libraries make the most of that asset to serve patrons better." The article points out that there are three Worthington Libraries: the Old Worthington Library; the Northwest Library, which is operated jointly with the Columbus Metropolitan Library; and the virtual, online library.

It also points out that Worthington taxpayers are generous in their support of the Libraries. While 75 percent of Ohio public libraries get all or nearly all of their support from the state, 65.5 percent of Worthington's funding comes from local tax levies.

Worthington ranks ninth in the state in library circulation, behind the eight metropolitan libraries. In the last 10 years, circulation has more than doubled, and has increased 150 percent since 1991.

On June 11, the libraries recorded an all-time circulation record, checking out 16,000 items.

In 2006, the Libraries planned 1,228 programs and outreach activities that were attended by 42,637 people, including adults, children, and teens.

The library recently began a program to expand space at both libraries to improve service and to redesign space to make the libraries even more welcoming.

"The innovation goes on," said library board president Martin Jenkins.