Gravette's public library named 'American Star Library'

— Gravette’s public library recently was named an “American Star Library.” The announcement comes from a national publication, The Library Journal, which calls Gravette’s library “top rated.”

The one star designation puts the Gravette facility among what the magazine lists as one of the “best libraries.”

Gravette was the only library in the state to receive the designation based on library data for the year 2008 as reported to the state library system. It is on that data the designation was determined, the Journal said.

Library manager Kim Schneider, who has served in that position about a year, verified the 2008 information as provided by Kim Gibson who was library manager at that time.

A release from the Journal said an index score determines the rating system. The “index score” is based on four per capita outputs: library visits, book circulation, program attendance and public Internet computer use.

In 2008 the following statistics applied to the Gravette library: Library visits, 22,224; circulation, 14,106; program attendance per capita, 7,874; and public Internet terminal use, 14,816.

Community services and involvement are also used to determine the Star description.

The Gravette library is involved in many community services including,to name a few, a summer reading program, book signings, meeting site for Spavinaw Writers Guild, a senior bookmobile, genealogical usage including Internet, tutoring, book fairs, library tours for students, assistance with the census, providing state and federal tax information, children’s story time, a sign-up location for youth programs and more.

Libraries throughout the nation are rated each year and those listed for the 2008 year included the Coffey County (Kansas) Library, four star; Santa Clara, Calif., Library, four star; Unalaska Public Library, five star.

Among those joining Gravette as one star libraries are Stark County, Ohio; Ouachita Parish at Monroe, Las., Taos, N.M., Library and Hubbard, Iowa, Library.

News, Pages 2 on 10/20/2010