Gail Borden Public Library District has been recognized with 5 stars. Library Journal released its awards this week and out of a total of 5,846 libraries evaluated across the country, Gail Borden Library received its highest ranking.
According to Library Journal, "There are 16 new five-star libraries for 2021 across the country. San Mateo County, CA, is the lone new five-star library spending $30M+. Among libraries spending $10–29.9M, there are three new five-star libraries: Gail Borden Public Library District in Elgin, IL; Salt Lake City, UT; and Santa Monica, CA."
The other 5-star libraries in Illinois are Naperville, Schaumburg, Wilmette, Elmhurst, Oak Park, Ela Area, Northbrook and Lanark.
“This recognition puts a nice topper on 2021 as this is the second very challenging year in a row serving our community in this pandemic atmosphere,” said Carole Medal, Gail Borden Library CEO. "These statistical honors are nice to supplement what we already know about our connection to our community. We sent out our holiday e-card last Monday and we received such heartwarming responses from so many people in the community. People let us know how the library has helped them get through these times. We thank our community so much as it is their usage of our services that landed us this 5-star designation. Lastly and so importantly, I thank the Gail Borden Library staff. Their dedication to serving this community has been amazing."
Library Journal reviews public library data reported to the government—visits, checkouts, program attendance, e-material circulation, public computer use and Wi-Fi sessions per capita—and ranks the best performing libraries within budget categories. The Gail Borden Library statistics showed that e-retrievals - customers using databases and staff performing reference services - were very impressive in addition to wifi sessions.
For more information about Gail Borden Library's five-star status, please visit https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/ljx211213StarsByNumbers#10M30M. --
Fueled by the power of community, the Gail Borden Public Library District has served and collaborated with the local community since 1874. The Library offers books, eBooks, streaming movies and classes, dynamic programming with STEM and technology themes, as well as special events such as job and career expos, technology fairs and new-parent initiatives. Unique museum-quality exhibits have featured life-size dinosaurs, interactive exhibits such as Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog™ and the history of space, which gave local students the opportunity to chat live with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station. The Library and its staff members have been recognized as leaders across the state as well as on a national level. Among its numerous awards, the Library received the nation’s highest honor for the industry, the National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2009.