Guilford Memorial Library honored

    GUILFORD — The Maine State Library has announced that Guilford Memorial Library is one of five Maine public libraries designated as Library Journal’s Top-Rated America’s Star Libraries for 2013.

    The others are Camden Public Library, Skidompha Public Library in Damariscotta, Southwest Harbor Public Library and the Witherle Memorial Library in Castine.
    Nationally, libraries are selected on data reported annually to their state library agencies and compiled by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
    The Library Journal (LJ) index scores are based on:
Library visits
Circulation
Program attendance
Public Internet computer use
    To receive an LJ Index rating a library must:
Meet the IMLS definition of a public library
Have a service area with at least 1,000 population
Have total operating expenditures of at least $10,000
Report the four service output statistics listed above
    Guilford Memorial Library underwent a $500,000 expansion 10 years ago with most funds raised locally and a community room is now under construction in the library basement, partially funded by a Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation grant of $25,000.