The Union County Public Library children’s program ranks number 1 in the state for the fourth year in a row in attendance among the state’s 119 public libraries, according to the 2015 Statistical Report of Kentucky Public Libraries.
The report, which covers data from the 2013-14 fiscal year, provides a top-10 ranking for 16 measures that demonstrate successful libraries in Kentucky and includes data from all of the state’s public libraries. The Union County Public Library children’s program attendance per capita is 2.45, while the average per capita children’s attendance in Kentucky’s public libraries is .32.
Kentucky Department of Library and Archives Library Services Director Terry Manuel says in the release the Union County Public Library continues to cultivate future library users by providing exceptional children’s services to the youth of Union County. He congratulated the library for its remarkable achievement, and for providing such quality educational programming opportunities.
Union County Public Library Director Debbie McClanahan has a few ideas about how the library achieved the number one ranking in children’s program attendance for the fourth year in a row.
McClanahan, who was unavailable today, says in the release the library and programs have tremendous support from the library board of trustees as well as community supporters and partners.
In addition, McClanahan said the Union County School District supports and partners with the library, especially their Summer Read and Feed program which was held at eight locations five days a week for four weeks last year.
Last year, the library’s programs included outreach at every elementary school, pre-school and daycare in the county, after school programs at each library location, and its Time 4 Tots program featured at each of the library locations each week.
The library was also ranked number two in total library staff, averaging 11.31 staff per 10,000 in population, compared to the state average of 4.96.
In addition, the library ranked fifth in two categories: Annual public service hours offered and number of Internet hours used by the public.