The Homer Public Library is a 2016 Star Library in the annual ranking of U.S. public libraries by Library Journal. In its index of Public Library Service, Homer Public Library is one of only 260 libraries to receive the highest rankings from the prestigious publication for the U.S. library community. This is the fifth time HPL has been named a Star Library in the nine-year history of the index.

The Library Journal Index groups libraries by total operating expenditures. Within each peer group, libraries then are rated based on five per capita measures of service: library visits, circulation, program attendance, public Internet terminal use and electronic circulation.

“This recognition is a direct result of our active community of library users and of the City of Homer’s strong commitment to quality library service,” said Homer Public Library Director Ann Dixon. “Year after year, more people use the library and use the library more.”

This year’s ratings, based on fiscal year 2014 data, places Homer and only four other Alaska public libraries in the top 3.5 percent of the 7,349 libraries rated.

Unalaska Public Library and Haines Borough Public Library joined Homer as a 2016 Star Library in the $400,000 to $999,999 expenditure category. Delta (Junction) Community Library was honored in the $200,000 to $399,999 category, and Craig Public Library received a top rating in the $100,000 to $299,999 category.