The Bloomfield Township Public Library was recently named one of America’s Star Libraries, an annual ranking of public libraries by the Library Journal.
By: Mary Beth Almond | Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle | Published January 24, 2023
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — The Bloomfield Township Public Library has joined the ranks of America’s Star Libraries for 2022, a designation recently announced by the Library Journal.
America’s Star Libraries is an annual ranking of public libraries by trade publication Library Journal, which scores libraries based on per-capita circulation of physical and electronic materials, library visits, program attendance, computer and Wi-Fi sessions, library website visits, and more.
More than 5,300 public libraries were assessed for 2022, and the top 258 “Star Libraries” nationwide were assigned three, four or five stars. The Bloomfield Township Public Library earned four stars.
Library Director Tera Moon said the library is thrilled to be listed as a Star Library for the first time.
“I attribute it to the hard work and dedication of library staff, the support and the enthusiasm of the community that uses the library, and the excellent leadership and vision of our Library Board of Trustees,” Moon said.
“It feels wonderful to be recognized for the work and dedication that our staff puts forth every day, and has for years,” added Assistant Library Director Katherine Bryant. “The numbers are showing the heart and soul that we put into our library work each year.”
The Library Journal reports Star Libraries each year based on data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Public Library Survey. The 2022 scores and ratings are based on fiscal year 2020 data, a year that officials said brought unprecedented change to public library service due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bloomfield Township Public Library officials said they responded to the challenges of the pandemic by creating a virtual branch with live and on-demand programming and resources for residents of all ages, curbside service for safe delivery of materials, and access to thousands of e-books and e-audiobooks. The library has since returned to normal service levels and hours, although virtual programming and curbside service remain options for residents.
The full list of the 258 ranked libraries, detailed explanations of the index measurements, and information about trends are available in the December 2022 issue of Library Journal. Additional Michigan libraries honored include: the Ann Arbor District Library, the Benzie Shores District Library, the Capital Area District Libraries, the Kent District Library, the Leelanau Township Library, the Pentwater Township Library, the Pinckney Community Public Library, the Plymouth District Library, the New Buffalo Township Public Library, the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library and the West Bloomfield Township Public Library.
For more information, call the Bloomfield Township Public Library at (248) 642-5800 or visit our website at www.btpl.org.