Local Library Ranks High
in National Statistical Comparison

The Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center ranked in the top half of all public libraries serving a population of 250,000 to 499,999 in twelve of fifteen categories in the recently published Public Library Data Service Statistical Report 2001. The report is for local statistical data reported for July 1999 through June 2000.

The library ranked in the top 25% (fourth quartile) of public libraries in the areas of Program Attendance, Electronic Visits, and Percentage of Budget Expended for Salaries.

In the third quartile (50% to 75%) category, the library scored well in the following areas: Expenditure per Capita; Percentage Expenditures for Materials; Materials Expenditure per Capita; Circulation per Capita; Visits per Capita; Collection Turnover; Holdings per Capita; Library Cards as a Percentage of Population; and Door Count.

The library scored lower in the second quartile (50% to 25%) category in the areas of Beginning Librarian Salaries, Reference Questions per Capita, and Circulation per Borrower.

The library had no rankings in the lowest quartile (0 to 25%).

Library Director Jerry Thrasher was pleased with the continued high rankings of the library and stated, “These high rankings are a direct result of the completion of three new branch libraries, additional library materials, and the tremendous service ethic of our staff.”

“It should be remembered,” Thrasher continued, “that these rankings are based on our activity in fiscal year 2000, which was two budget cuts ago. Since then we have had two years of budget cuts totaling about $1.8 million, loss of 62 library positions, and reduced service hours and children’s programming.”

Thrasher also stated that the library’s rankings in this annual library survey would drop significantly in the coming two years. “Nevertheless, we will strive to provide the highest level of public service with the resources allocated to us,” stated Thrasher.

For more information about this study, contact Amanda Crabtree, CCPL&IC Public Information Coordinator, at (910) 483-1580 ext. 119.