Public Libraries
Date posted: 07/30/2009
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Larimer County has six library service areas to serve the County's 287,574 residents (2007 American Community Survey). Each library has a Legal Service Area Population or a designated service area and funding is generated from the population within that area.
What this chart shows: Hennen's American Public Library Ratings (HAPLR) in Colorado and Larimer Community Libraries
Data Source: Hennen's American Public Library Ratings
What these data tell us:
Statistical factors contributing to public library rankings are compiled by Hennen's American Public Library Ratings (HAPLR). The rating is calculated using data provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Each public library is given a rating based on data calculation and rating methods then adjusted by the HAPLR index rating scale into individual measures.The HAPLR Index includes 15 factors. The focus is on circulation, staffing, materials, reference service, and funding levels. Libraries are ranked using each of the 15 measures in their population group.
The average of the community scores (Larimer County value) was slightly higher than Colorado's score, although three of the six communities in Larimer County were rated below the State. The highest scoring area was Fort Collins (Poudre River Public Library District), with a score of 835. The highest possible score is 1,000, with the median at approximately 500.
NOTE: The HAPLR is usually published annually based on data that is 2-3 years old. This is due to the length of time it takes the National Center for Educational Statistics to gather and analyze the data. Therefore, the 2009 HALPR Index is based on 2006 data.
What this chart shows: Library Registration in Larimer County Library Service Areas
Data Source: Library Research Service - 2008 data
What these data tell us:
In 2008, all of the library districts showed registration above 50% of the total district population. Red Feather Lakes had the highest percentage with 144%. There are two primary reasons that percentages above 100% exist. First, smaller communities may serve an area larger (including rural areas) than their community boundaries. Therefore, reported populations for the area are smaller than the area truly served by a particular library. Also, in resort communities such as Estes Park, the number of people in the community changes with seasonal / temporary residents.What this chart shows: Rate of Print Volumes in Larimer County Libraries and Universities/Colleges
Data Source: Library Research Service - 2008 Data
What these data tell us:
In 2008, the average ratio of volumes to residents in Larimer County was less than the Colorado average (3.93 versus 5.60). The variance of volumes to residents rates among local libraries has more to do with variances in community populations, than the number of books in each library. The communities of Berthoud, Estes Park, Red Feather Lakes and Wellington had higher ratios in their libraries because of their smaller populations. In 2008, the number of library materials available to borrowers ranged from Poudre Valley Public Library District with 420,000, to Wellington Public Library, which housed 21,400.Additional Information:
Legal Service Area Population: The number of people that reside within the legal service area of the library. The legal service area of a library is the population within the boundaries of the geographic area the library was established to serve. (Library Research Service)
On Compass-
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation Establishments
- Education - Adult
- Education - Early Childhood
- Education - K-12
- Performing Arts Companies and Independent Artists, Writers, & Performers
- Population - Size & Growth
Libraries in Larimer County:
- Berthoud Public Library
- Estes Park Public Library
- Loveland Public Library
- Poudre River Public Library District
- Red Feather Lakes Community Library
- Wellington Public Library
- Fast Facts - national rankings of libraries, which includes Colorado's public libraries
- The Library Research Service
Standards/Targets: N/A
HAPLR Scores for Community Libraries
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
|
Colorado |
641 | n/a | 639 | 639 |
|
Larimer County |
613 | n/a | 640 | 651 |
|
Berthoud |
657 | n/a | 657 | 532 |
|
Estes Park |
703 | n/a | 701 | 694 |
|
Fort Collins |
823 | n/a | 819 | 790 |
|
Loveland |
736 | n/a | 725 | 703 |
|
Red Feather Lakes |
227 | n/a | 433 | 206 |
|
Wellington |
533 | n/a | 503 | 392 |
Library Registration in Larimer County Library Service Areas, 2007 & 2008
|
2007 |
2008 |
|||
|
LSA Population |
Registration as Percentage of Population |
LSA Population |
Registration as Percentage of Population |
|
|
Berthoud |
5,036 | 54% | 5,036 | 81% |
|
Estes Park |
12,239 | 93% | 12,756 | 81% |
|
Fort Collins |
165,972 | 58% | 173,760 | 60% |
|
Loveland |
60,393 | 53% | 64,166 | 53% |
|
Red Feather Lakes |
1,653 | 135% | 1,679 | 144% |
|
Wellington |
5,040 | 99% | 5,445 | 81% |
Rate of Print Volumes in Larimer County Libraries, 2008
|
Public Library Systems |
||
|
LSA Population |
Print Volumes per Capita |
|
|
National Average* |
n/a | 2.8 |
|
Colorado Average |
n/a | 5.60 |
|
Larimer County Average |
n/a | 3.93 |
|
Berthoud |
5,036 | 4.64 |
|
Estes Park |
12,756 | 3.98 |
|
Fort Collins |
173,760 | 1.83 |
|
Loveland |
64,166 | 2.20 |
|
Red Feather Lakes |
1,679 | 7.15 |
|
Wellington |
5,445 | 3.77 |
* National Average is based on FY2007 and is the most current available at the
time of this update.