After multiple budget cuts, the Champaign Public Library may lose its ranking as one of the top libraries in America.

The library was ranked as one of the top libraries in the country with a score of four out of five stars by the Library Journal in its 2012 Index of Public Library Service.

“We are one of only 111 libraries in the country to receive a star rating all five years since the program started,” said Kristina Hoerner, the Champaign Public Library’s adult services manager.

Scores were based on 2010 per-person number of checked-out items as well as library visits, program attendance and public Internet use of more than 7,000 public libraries across the U.S., according to the library’s news release. With a population of about 80,000, Champaign’s circulation of more than 2.6 million represented a ratio of 35.1 items checked out per person, the third highest in Illinois.

“We circulate over 2.6 million items per year and have over 2,400 people per day visit the library,” Hoerner said. “These are huge numbers for a community this size.”

For the first three years the program existed, the library earned three stars but climbed to four stars in the past couple of years.

However, budget cuts may end the consecutive streak, said Marsha Grove, director of the Champaign Public Library.

“Property values throughout the community declined with the downturn in the economy, and they continue to remain low,” Hoerner said. “Ninety percent of our budget comes from property taxes, which means our budget has been drastically reduced.”

Grove said there has been a reduction in costs of operations and maintaining the building and grounds.

Cuts of more than $24,000 are being proposed for the upcoming fiscal year to their $6.5 million revised budget in fiscal year 2011-2012, while 14 staff positions remain unfilled.

“We’re anticipating more reductions in personnel because of budget reductions from less revenue,” she said. “Tough choices are likely ahead while (we are) still trying to maintain services the community expects.”

Grove said increasing demands for e-books are putting a strain on the library’s budget.

“Technology continues to be a challenge to keep up with, but it is critical to do so,” Grove said. “The library must now stretch the budget further to buy e-books and physical books, and the overall materials budget is smaller.”

Jacqui can be reached at [email protected].