CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston County Public Library earned a three-star rating in the Library Journal Index of Public Library Services' 13th annual review of library systems in the U.S. CCPL is one of 11 libraries in its category to receive 3 stars from the Index.
2020 marks the first time since 2016 that CCPL has earned a Star Library designation. CCPL also received 3 stars in 2009.
More than 5,600 library systems were reviewed by Library Journal, and CCPL was one of 262 to achieve Star Library status o nthe Library Journal Index this year. CCPL was also the only system in South Carolina - and the only system in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida - to earn a star rating this year.
To qualify for consideration, libraries must be a public entity, have a service area with a population of at least 1,000 residents, and have a total operating expenditure of at least $10,000. CCPL received a three-star designation within the $10 million to $29.9 million expenditure category.
The ratings are based on seven categories of public service, including: physical circulation, circulation of electronic materials, library visits, program attendance, public internet computer use, and Wi-Fi sessions. This year, the Public Library Survey included for the first time successful retrievals of electronic information, or e-retrievals, that measures usage of online content, such as databases, other than by title checkout.
Last year, the survey added Wi-Fi sessions, and anticipates adding website visits next year to continue building a more comprehensive look at digital usage of library systems and services around the country.
Library Journal is an American trade publication for librarians founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey. It boasts a circulation of more than 100,000, and since 2008 has has assessed public libraries and awarded stars in their Star Libraries program. For more information about the Index, visit https://www.libraryjournal.com/.