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Index: Enrichments / Subcategory: Arts & Culture

Public Libraries

Date posted: 06/04/2008

Chart Directory:

Larimer County has six library service areas to serve the County's 276,253 residents (2006 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

Hennen's American Public Library Ratings (HAPLR) in Colorado and Larimer Community Libraries

Data Source: Hennen's American Public Library Ratings

See data table

What these data tell us:

 Statistical factors contributing to public library rankings are compiled by Hennen's American Public Library Ratings (HAPLR). 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.

While the average of the community scores (Larimer County value) fell below the Colorado's score, four out of the six communities were rated above the State. The highest scoring area was Fort Collins, with a score of 823. The highest possible score is 1,000, with the median at approximately 500.

What this chart shows: Library Registration in Larimer County Library Service Areas

Library Registration in Larimer County Library Service Areas

Data Source: Library Research Service - 2006 data

See data table

What these data tell us:

In 2006, all of the library districts showed registration above 50% of the total district population. Red Feather Lakes had the highest percentage with 159%. 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

Rate of Print Volumes in Larimer County Libraries and Universities/Colleges

Data Source: Library Research Service

See data table

What these data tell us:

In 2006, the ratio of volumes to residents in Larimer County exceeded the Colorado average. 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 2006, the number of library materials available to borrowers ranged from Fort Collins Public Library with 344,624, to Red Feather Lakes Library, which housed 10,949.

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)

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On Compass-

Outside Compass-

Libraries in Larimer County:

Standards/Targets: N/A

Data Tables:

HAPLR Scores for Community Libraries

2005

2006

Colorado

622

641

Larimer County

617

613

Berthoud

725

657

Estes Park

676

703

Fort Collins

831

823

Loveland

724

736

Red Feather Lakes

175

227

Wellington

572

533

See chart

Library Registration in Larimer County Library Service Areas, 2005 & 2006

2005

2006

LSA Population

Registration as Percentage of Population

LSA Population

Registration as Percentage of Population

Berthoud

4,930

149%

4,937

92%

Estes Park

11,797

93%

11,824

99%

Fort Collins

126,903

90%

127,686

84%

Loveland

57,485

82%

58,691

55%

Red Feather Lakes

1,648

107%

1,675

159%

Wellington

3,718

99%

4,400

78%

See chart

Rate of Print Volumes in Larimer County Libraries, 2006

Public Library Systems

LSA Population

Print Volumes per Capita

National Average*

n/a

2.8

Colorado Average

n/a

5.55

Larimer County Average

n/a

4.30

Berthoud

4,937

4.94

Estes Park

11,824

4.70

Fort Collins

127,686

2.70

Loveland

58,691

1.98

Red Feather Lakes

1,675

6.54

Wellington

4,400

4.03

* National Average is the 2005 population and rate. 2005 national data is the most current available when updated.

See chart