Libraries recognized for service

By the Salina Journal

BELLEVILLE -- Belleville Public Library is one of 256 libraries in the United States to be named an American Star Library by Library Journal magazine.

The magazine rates 7,115 public libraries on four measures of public service -- circulation (items checked out), visits, program attendance and public Internet use, per capita.

Libraries in 16 Kansas towns made the list:

n Given three stars were Belleville Public Library, Plains Community Library, Ellinwood School Community Library, Buhler Public Library, Mound City/Linn County District 4 Library and Marion City Library.

n Public libraries in Cimarron, Seneca, Fredonia, Overland Park, Burlington and Neodesha were given four stars.

n The Ida Long Goodman Memorial Library in St. John, Elkhart/Morton County Library, Hays Public Library and Meade Public Library were given five stars.

Belleville Public Library director Leah Krotz praised the community for supporting the library, which also serves as a town hall where meetings, bid-lettings, brown-bag lunches, educational programs and other gatherings take place. Twice a month, it's a downtown market where locals sell produce and baked goods.

"You can come in and get your kolaches while you're waiting to check out a book," Krotz said.

The library provides deliveries of materials to the home bound and uses a senior citizen bus to pick up preschoolers for story times.

"Times change. Moms are working. We have the bus go around and pick up kids, and they have adult senior volunteers with them," Krotz said.

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