Lakewood Public Library Ranked Number One Again

[Kenneth Warren]

I am delighted to report Lakewood Public Library ranks Number 1 among public libraries serving populations of 50,000 to 99,999 in the newly released 2006 Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings.

Lakewood Public Library scored 956 on the HAPLR index, which includes such factors as circulation, hours open, materials, staffing, operating efficiencies, reference services and funding levels.

With 956 score Lakewood Public Library shares with Columbiana Public Library, which classifies in the 5,000 to 9,999 population category, the best HAPLR index score among all 9,076 public libraries evaluated in the 2006 Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings.

I am very grateful to the community, board, staff and members of the Lakewood Observer for their commitment and support to excellence in civic life and public institutions. Together we have made Lakewood Public Library number one again.

Thank you so much.

Link:

http://www.haplr-index.com/ALProofHAPLR_2006.pdf

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

[David Anderson]

While this achievement is truly the result of a community-wide effort, the role of a directing quarterback is invaluable. Congratulations to our quarterback, Ken, the entire Lakewood Public Library system family and Lakewood on continuing to invest time, talent and resources into this civic institution.

It is important to understand that the Lakewood Public Library system is much more than a jewel that is polished for outside groups to marvel at. It is a driver in what makes Lakewood, well, Lakewood.

Via a different thread last month, Observers were able to post their opinions on Lakewood's best resources. I continuously feel that the most important resources a nation, state or city can possess are not bricks and mortar, natural or energy related but rather human capital - imagined, learned, community minded folks. Lakewood seems to have (through incubation or attraction) its fair share. The Lakewood Public Library system plays no modest role in this effort.

What a good way to start the week.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Ken

Congratulations.

Job well done once again.

Over the past three years you have become a good friend and mentor. What I enjoy most as we walk the streets of the city, sit in the library at a talk, show, concert, or just good conversation. Is how well you reach out and touch people lives.

What has become more amazing to me is how each member of your staff also that his rare ability to reach out, make contact and touch people lives. Kids, adults, teens, young, old, rich poor, you and your staff have created one of the finest public institutions, I have ever witnessed.

When I first met you I loved your talk about how a library must be the home of public knowledge. That it is your mission to not just answer questions with answers you like, but to give them background on all sides so that they can make the decision that is best for them. Again, your staff does this nearly as well as you do.

Civic entanglement at levels most cannot even understand. the number of committees, boards, discussions that you partake in daily is staggering. Your fairness to the open Discussion is unwavering. You merely speak what you know, and then what think of that information. Take it or leave it. Your staff is equally as fair, open and honest. I see them taking part in as many Lakewood events and causes as you do.

Your Love of this city and its residents. What can I say, we have hit the streets and done the drill downs. Your entire staff, love this city and our neighbors as much as any group I can imagine.

The Board and Friends of the Library are all "great" Lakewoodites for the time and effort the put forward, and the real vision they have/had for the new library and Number 1 Rating again, but for their vision 5 and 10 years down the road.

All of this makes the Library the finest institution in Lakewood, and now#1 the country.

Thanks is not enough, so how about a burger at The Place To Be?

Next year maybe you can tell me about those book thingies you have everywhere, Until then read me the Prism Report again.

.

[Jeff Endress]

Thanks is not enough, so how about a burger at The Place To Be?

notwithstanding the lack of condiments on the table........

Jeff

[dl meckes]

What needs to be said has been well said.

I can think of no other civic institution that is so universally held in such high regard. There's nothin' but love there.

I can hardly contain my excitement waiting for the next page to turn, for the next chapter to begin.

[Lynn Farris]

In a city that often considers itself second best or not worthy, the library is a continuing source of pride.

There is a whole staff of hardworking individuals who deserve congratulations on this. But I agree with David, that the leader is the MVP. All of you should enjoy the feeling of this great accomplishment - it is deserved.

[Jason Weiner]

Congratulations Ken and the entire staff at the Lakewood Public Library!

Whenever I describe to others what I love about Lakewood, the library, and that I can walk there from where I live (and one day will walk with my children there) tops the list.

You are the steward of a true gem, Ken. Thank you.

[c. dawson]

Congrats to the entire library staff! And while the new building is going to add some more luster to this jewel, it's really the people who work there that really make the place so wonderful!



And is there any way that in the future, the lending period could be 3 weeks, instead of two weeks?? That's one thing I always liked about the CleveNet library system, and I wish that Lakewood library would do!

[Joe McClain]

Congratulations to the Lakewood Library and its staff and to you, personally, Ken.
Helen and I both talk frequently about how much we miss the Lakewood Library.

[Kenneth Warren]

Joe:

Thanks for the kind words. I am indebted to you, let's not forget, for the crucial role you played in crafting the message for the 2003 Levy Campaign with Chairman Brian Powers. One message you communicated was the need to keep Lakewood Public Library #1.

What is so very satisfying to me is that this current recognition is based on the statistics gathered from 2004, the year revenue from the operating levy whose passage you worked on in 2003, allowed us to expand hours and grow the collection in ways that helped make us #1, exactly as the campaign had suggested. As you may recall we had 100 terrific volunteers from every neighborhood working hard on the library's campaign. Your checking in tonight makes savoring the ranking and the great company that helped make #1 possible all the more sweet.

Thanks again to you and to everyone for the kind words.

Believe me, it takes an incredible village, with determined and gifted staff, with generous and interested people to make a number one library.

Please tell Helen the Friends miss her and the team has continued to work hard on successsful booksales. One is planned for March 2007, and then while the existing building is being renovated, it is quite likely the Friends will be setting up shop at the Old Lake Erie Screw site for a sale or two, before returning to the completed facility in 2008.

By the way, Jim tells me you are a Michael Hurley fan. On Saturday, I had the great of experience of simply going to My Minds Eye, a fabulous Record/CD store on Madison Avenue, finding a 2004 release, cruising the rainy Wood, and thinking how lucky I am to find such a groove.

Kenneth Warren

[Heidi Hilty]

Ken,
Not being an avid deckie, I apologize for being tardy with my heartfelt congratulations. I echo all of the terrific sentiments above and would further add that the bonus to all of this is getting you, Kim and many other knowledgeable & dedicated staff to the Wood.
Bask in the well deserved glory,
Heidi