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Area Libraries Rank Nationally
Hartington, Centerville Earn 5-Star Award For Third Straight Year
BY RANDY DOCKENDORF
randy.dockendorf@yankton.net
Just because it’s a tough economy, the Hartington, Neb., and Centerville libraries aren’t shelving their activities.
In fact, more people than ever are checking out both libraries.
“With the recession, people are looking for free services and entertainment. Statistically, across the nation, public libraries are seeing a huge increase,” said Hartington Public Library director Tami Anderson.
Those sentiments were echoed at the Centerville Community Library, a joint city-school facility, by city librarian Lindsey Hansen and school librarian Linda Holmberg.
“I have worked here for three years, and the library has always been a very busy place,” Hansen said.
For their outstanding service and strong public use, the Hartington and Centerville sites were selected by the American Library Journal among the nation’s best libraries in 2011.
Both Hartington and Centerville were selected as “5 Star” libraries — the highest possible ranking — for the third consecutive year. Only 262 libraries out of about 7,500 nationwide earned a designation of three, four or five stars.
Hartington is one of eight honored Nebraska libraries. Centerville is one of two South Dakota libraries and the only one with a 5 Star rating.
The rating is based on visits, circulation, program attendance and public Internet computer use. Libraries are classified by their budgets rather than their community populations.
With a score of 2,930, Hartington was ranked first in the nation for libraries with expenditures of $50,000-99,999.
With a score of 1,673, Centerville ranked 10th nationally for libraries with expenditures of $10,000-49,999.
Besides its city funding, the Hartington library — along with the two other certified libraries in Cedar County, Neb. — received county funding for the first time in about 15 years, Anderson said.
The Hartington library has also received a huge financial boost from other sources, she said.
“We just received a big technology grant this past year. We received more than $13,000 worth of new equipment,” she said. “We received 14 desktop computers and six laptops for public use. We ran out of desk space, so after school, when we have our peak time, we hand out laptops for those kids 14 and older.”
Anderson said that’s a far cry from when she arrived 10 years ago and found the library owned just two dial-up computers. The library has added more than $50,000 in the past decade for technology and programming.
In fact, the Library Journal’s rankings show Hartington’s Internet usage dwarfs most other libraries in its category across the nation.
“During the daytime, we have the older clientele come in,” she said. “Those who don’t have a computer at home come to the library. Everything is online anymore, with banking and other forms. The other day, we had someone fill out a warranty registration.”
The Hartington library received new carpeting this year, thanks to fundraising $18,000 in four months. The carpeting covers not only the main library but also the art gallery on the second floor and the basement, which offers library programming and a community meeting space.
The Hartington library has seen a dramatic increase in use since the new addition was completed in the late 1990s, Anderson said. The circulation of 45,000 was up 35 percent in 10 years, and the library had issued nearly 6,000 patron cards.
Whereas Hartington operates as a city library, Centerville operates a joint city-school library that was built in the mid-1990s.
The joint facility has brought tremendous benefits that couldn’t be achieved as separate entities, Holmberg said. The city and school maintain separate library budgets, but the facility operates as a joint effort, she said.
“Why duplicate yourself?” she asked. “If it wasn’t combined, it would be a small school library and small city library. Instead, it’s one of the nicest libraries in the area.”
When it won its first 5-Star Award in 2009, the Centerville library had 900 registered users. Because of the demand for services, the library has remodeled and expanded to 4,600 square feet.
The library is attached to the east side of the school but has a separate entrance for the general public, Holmberg said. She believes the facility caters well to both the student population of about 250 and the larger community.
The library contains a separate area where adults can read and use computers, which further attracts people of all ages, Hansen said.
Besides its city and school funding, the Centerville library enjoys great private support, Hansen said. She pointed to this weekend’s Centerville Country Christmas, one of the library’s biggest annual fundraisers and joint effort of the library and FFA chapter.
The weekend kicks off today (Friday) with an open house from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Musician Larry Olson will perform at 7:30 p.m. A silent auction featuring donated items will be held throughout the day.
“We are just blessed. People are so nice about bringing us things,” Hansen said. “We have a gorgeous tree that’s decorated for the silent auction, and a woman donated a homemade quilt that must have taken weeks to make. We also have ornaments for sale. Each year has a theme, and this year we have a lot of starfish.”
On Saturday, the FFA holds its carnival, and the library plans to enter a float in the evening’s parade of lights.
On Sunday, the library is sponsoring its tour of homes with registration at 2:30 p.m. and tours from 3-7 p.m. A tour bus will take participants to homes in the country for an additional fee.
“We have a lot of people backing us,” Hansen said.
Thanks to the strong public and private funding, both the Hartington and Centerville libraries offer larger staff, extended hours and more services.
Besides Anderson, the Hartington library staff includes Carol Craig as children’s librarian, and high school students Becky Burbach and Molly Becker as part-time staff.
Besides Holmberg and Hansen, the Centerville library staff includes part-time workers Mary Ferwerda, Julie Knutson and Gloria Adamson.
The libraries’ directors said they don’t plan to rest on their laurels even after winning the coveted 5-Star Award three consecutive years.
The Hartington library plans to expand its e-book services, Anderson said.
“We are part of a consortium called Nebraska Overdrive, which is a downloadable audio and e-book service. Over 60 libraries in Nebraska use it,” she said. “As far as books, we have a great collection and are trying to have what our readers want. It’s out with the old to make room for the new. We also have DVDs and movies, and the Friends of the Library added $300 worth of board games. Once a month, we have an afternoon of games.”
The art gallery will continue to provide a major attraction, Anderson said. The gallery has six exhibits a year, currently featuring a quilt show.
At Centerville, the library offers an inter-library loan system as well as DVDs and use of the community room, Hansen said.
Both the Hartington and Centerville libraries want to remain affordable. Hartington’s facility is free for Cedar County residents and a one-time fee for non-residents. Centerville doesn’t charge for a library card.
Both libraries promote their usage to the next generation. Centerville benefits from its attachment to the school, while Hartington’s library is located down the hill from the Hartington Public, Cedar Catholic and Holy Trinity schools.
The key to a successful library is keeping it enjoyable for all ages, Hansen said.
“Instead of being the nasty, ‘Shhh!’ librarians protecting the books, we want our library seen as more of a fun place to go,” she said.
In fact, more people than ever are checking out both libraries.
“With the recession, people are looking for free services and entertainment. Statistically, across the nation, public libraries are seeing a huge increase,” said Hartington Public Library director Tami Anderson.
Those sentiments were echoed at the Centerville Community Library, a joint city-school facility, by city librarian Lindsey Hansen and school librarian Linda Holmberg.
“I have worked here for three years, and the library has always been a very busy place,” Hansen said.
For their outstanding service and strong public use, the Hartington and Centerville sites were selected by the American Library Journal among the nation’s best libraries in 2011.
Both Hartington and Centerville were selected as “5 Star” libraries — the highest possible ranking — for the third consecutive year. Only 262 libraries out of about 7,500 nationwide earned a designation of three, four or five stars.
Hartington is one of eight honored Nebraska libraries. Centerville is one of two South Dakota libraries and the only one with a 5 Star rating.
The rating is based on visits, circulation, program attendance and public Internet computer use. Libraries are classified by their budgets rather than their community populations.
With a score of 2,930, Hartington was ranked first in the nation for libraries with expenditures of $50,000-99,999.
With a score of 1,673, Centerville ranked 10th nationally for libraries with expenditures of $10,000-49,999.
Besides its city funding, the Hartington library — along with the two other certified libraries in Cedar County, Neb. — received county funding for the first time in about 15 years, Anderson said.
The Hartington library has also received a huge financial boost from other sources, she said.
“We just received a big technology grant this past year. We received more than $13,000 worth of new equipment,” she said. “We received 14 desktop computers and six laptops for public use. We ran out of desk space, so after school, when we have our peak time, we hand out laptops for those kids 14 and older.”
Anderson said that’s a far cry from when she arrived 10 years ago and found the library owned just two dial-up computers. The library has added more than $50,000 in the past decade for technology and programming.
In fact, the Library Journal’s rankings show Hartington’s Internet usage dwarfs most other libraries in its category across the nation.
“During the daytime, we have the older clientele come in,” she said. “Those who don’t have a computer at home come to the library. Everything is online anymore, with banking and other forms. The other day, we had someone fill out a warranty registration.”
The Hartington library received new carpeting this year, thanks to fundraising $18,000 in four months. The carpeting covers not only the main library but also the art gallery on the second floor and the basement, which offers library programming and a community meeting space.
The Hartington library has seen a dramatic increase in use since the new addition was completed in the late 1990s, Anderson said. The circulation of 45,000 was up 35 percent in 10 years, and the library had issued nearly 6,000 patron cards.
Whereas Hartington operates as a city library, Centerville operates a joint city-school library that was built in the mid-1990s.
The joint facility has brought tremendous benefits that couldn’t be achieved as separate entities, Holmberg said. The city and school maintain separate library budgets, but the facility operates as a joint effort, she said.
“Why duplicate yourself?” she asked. “If it wasn’t combined, it would be a small school library and small city library. Instead, it’s one of the nicest libraries in the area.”
When it won its first 5-Star Award in 2009, the Centerville library had 900 registered users. Because of the demand for services, the library has remodeled and expanded to 4,600 square feet.
The library is attached to the east side of the school but has a separate entrance for the general public, Holmberg said. She believes the facility caters well to both the student population of about 250 and the larger community.
The library contains a separate area where adults can read and use computers, which further attracts people of all ages, Hansen said.
Besides its city and school funding, the Centerville library enjoys great private support, Hansen said. She pointed to this weekend’s Centerville Country Christmas, one of the library’s biggest annual fundraisers and joint effort of the library and FFA chapter.
The weekend kicks off today (Friday) with an open house from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Musician Larry Olson will perform at 7:30 p.m. A silent auction featuring donated items will be held throughout the day.
“We are just blessed. People are so nice about bringing us things,” Hansen said. “We have a gorgeous tree that’s decorated for the silent auction, and a woman donated a homemade quilt that must have taken weeks to make. We also have ornaments for sale. Each year has a theme, and this year we have a lot of starfish.”
On Saturday, the FFA holds its carnival, and the library plans to enter a float in the evening’s parade of lights.
On Sunday, the library is sponsoring its tour of homes with registration at 2:30 p.m. and tours from 3-7 p.m. A tour bus will take participants to homes in the country for an additional fee.
“We have a lot of people backing us,” Hansen said.
Thanks to the strong public and private funding, both the Hartington and Centerville libraries offer larger staff, extended hours and more services.
Besides Anderson, the Hartington library staff includes Carol Craig as children’s librarian, and high school students Becky Burbach and Molly Becker as part-time staff.
Besides Holmberg and Hansen, the Centerville library staff includes part-time workers Mary Ferwerda, Julie Knutson and Gloria Adamson.
The libraries’ directors said they don’t plan to rest on their laurels even after winning the coveted 5-Star Award three consecutive years.
The Hartington library plans to expand its e-book services, Anderson said.
“We are part of a consortium called Nebraska Overdrive, which is a downloadable audio and e-book service. Over 60 libraries in Nebraska use it,” she said. “As far as books, we have a great collection and are trying to have what our readers want. It’s out with the old to make room for the new. We also have DVDs and movies, and the Friends of the Library added $300 worth of board games. Once a month, we have an afternoon of games.”
The art gallery will continue to provide a major attraction, Anderson said. The gallery has six exhibits a year, currently featuring a quilt show.
At Centerville, the library offers an inter-library loan system as well as DVDs and use of the community room, Hansen said.
Both the Hartington and Centerville libraries want to remain affordable. Hartington’s facility is free for Cedar County residents and a one-time fee for non-residents. Centerville doesn’t charge for a library card.
Both libraries promote their usage to the next generation. Centerville benefits from its attachment to the school, while Hartington’s library is located down the hill from the Hartington Public, Cedar Catholic and Holy Trinity schools.
The key to a successful library is keeping it enjoyable for all ages, Hansen said.
“Instead of being the nasty, ‘Shhh!’ librarians protecting the books, we want our library seen as more of a fun place to go,” she said.
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| Gavins Point Dam Readings: 12/02/2011 | ‘Pictures Of December’ |
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