Newport library among top in nation

The Newport Beach Public Library ranked No. 2 among American public

libraries serving populations between 50,000 and 99,000, according to the

September issue of American Libraries. Based on the Hennen’s American

Public Library Rating Index, nearly 9,000 public libraries nationwide

provided information for the survey “The Index can’t measure such

important elements as knowledgeable reference librarians or cheerful

circulation desk clerks, but it does give us quantitative assurance that

we are providing excellent service compared to other libraries serving

populations of a similar size,’ said LaDonna Kienitz, the city’s

community services director.

Survey factors include cost per circulation, visits per capita and

funding per capita.

The Index provides a comparative rating system that librarians,

trustees and the public can use to improve and extend library services in

the next millennium, Index developer Thomas J. Hennen Jr. said.

The library provides circulating and reference print, audiovisual and

electronic resources, as well as dozens of monthly programs, literary

discussion groups, story times and art exhibits from a central library

and three branches.