Simsbury Library Recognized in National Rankings

The Simsbury Public Library has made the list of the nation's top one hundred public libraries, according to the Hennen American Public Library Ratings (HAPLR) for 2002. The HAPLR is a national index ranking all 9,000 American public libraries based on data reported annually by state library agencies and compiled by a federal agency.

Ten libraries in ten population categories are chosen for the Great American Public Libraries Top 100 List. With a score of 866, Simsbury Library was ranked 9th out of 1,700 libraries in its population category, and 42nd among all 9,000 public libraries in the country. Darien was the only other Connecticut library to make the list. Statewide, Connecticut ranks 22nd out of the 50 states.

The HAPLR scores are based on six input and nine output measures. Input measures are resource factors such as expenditures per capita and volumes per capita. Output measures are use factors such as visits per hour and borrowing activity per capita.

"A great town deserves a great library," said Library Director Susan Bullock. "This ranking reflects the efforts of the entire staff and, of course, the support of the Library board, selectmen, and Friends of the Library. We couldn't be happier."