Despite service disruptions due to construction of the new Main Library, Lakewood continued to place in the top ten (10th in 2010; 5th in 2009; 9th in 2008) in our population category (50,000-99,000) in Hennen's American Public Library Ratings (HAPLR). In 2006 Lakewood Public Library ranked NUMBER ONE in our population category (our 3rd first place ranking). In 2004 & 2005, Lakewood Public Library placed 2nd. In 2003 Lakewood Public Library was ranked number one among 541 public libraries. In fact, the Library's rating score that year was highest of all libraries in any population category. In 2002 Lakewood Public Library was ranked number one among 523 libraries compared. (Note: no 2001 or 2007 edition.)

Factors include: amount spent on library materials per person; number of library staff members; number of times materials are borrowed; amount of materials checked out per visit; reference questions answered; library materials borrowed each hour and library visits per hour.

The 125th Assembly of the Ohio House of Representatives extended special recognition to Lakewood Public Library on being ranked one of the best public libraries in the United States on the 2003 HAPLR Index. Sponsored by Representative Michael Skindell, District 13.

Our TV show, What's Going On?, was a "Multimedia" Winner in the Ohio Library Council's 2004 Best of the Best: Marketing and PR Showcase. See for yourself Thursdays at 11 am, 4 pm and 8 pm on Cox Cable Community Channel 45. Or, visit the show's shameless promo page, What's Going On?

Honorable Mention in the the 3rd Annual OPLIN (Ohio Public Library Information Network) Award for Innovation for Lakewood Public Library's More Than Names project. "Building on the research of local historian Lucy Lang Sekerka, the Lakewood Public Library has created an electronic memorial for local soldiers who died in Vietnam, Korea, and the two World Wars. Clickable maps provide access to the soldiers' information, so Lakewood residents can click on their streets on the city map, and learn the names and stories of those men who once lived in their neighborhoods." http://www.lkwdpl.org/mtn/

The More Than Names project also received The WebJunction Award for Innovative Content and Use of Technology for 2003. See the description of the project that earned our designation as a "WJ public access super star" in the Level 4 (25,000-99,999 served) category and then as grand prize winner.

Lakewood was named the Best Library for Kids in Scene's 2007 Best of Cleveland. Youth Services' programming was highlighted, with PC TekTurns and after-school Homework ER in the spotlight.

In its Best of Cleveland 2003 issue Cleveland Scene judged Lakewood Public Library as Best Library noting that "for true bibliophiles, there isn't a better place to get a fix than within these stacks... There's a sprawling nonfiction section, a mammoth children's room, and plentiful alcoves that give sanctuary to reading introverts. The librarian's picks almost always hit the spot. And if it all seems overwhelming, seek out the reference desk, staffed by kind-hearted oracles who know the answer to your question before you ask it."

The Jane Addams Biography page, on our Women in History site, was chosen by bigchalk.com to be featured in its educator-selected directory of exceptional educational sites on the Web. "Out of more than 110,000 sites reviewed, we found yours to be in the top 2% based on your rich content and its academic relevance." This award was presented in March 2001. In that year the Jane Addams page had nearly 33,000 hits (in 2002 it was 43,795!) from researchers world-wide.

bigchalk.com, The Education Network, "offers award-winning research products, teacher resources, homework help, online field trips, standards information, easy school Web site creation tools and more." It was acquired by The ProQuest Company in 2003.