We Ohioans love our libraries

Local libraries ranked at the top in a recent national survey give a number of reasons for their success: sticking to basics yet being innovative, keeping good collections, expanding facilities and hours, offering amenities, and demonstrating a willingness and ability to get avid readers what they want.

Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings recently ranked Columbiana Public Library in Columbiana County as No. 1 in the 5,000 to 9,999 population category.

In the same category, Kinsman Free Public Library and Bristol Public Library, both in Trumbull County, were fourth and sixth, respectively.

East Palestine Memorial Public Library in Columbiana County was ranked eighth in the 2,500 to 4,999 population category.

The 2006 ratings are based on records from 2004 for 9,076 libraries nationally.

Ohioans seem to love — and use — their libraries. In the highest population category — more than 500,000 residents, the — Cuyahoga County Public Library was No. 1 nationally. Columbus Metropolitan Library was ranked third nationally and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County was eighth.

Officials at the local libraries said they tended to draw more people than their population base.