Unalaska, AK – Unalaska's public library now has a 4-star rating from the American Library Association and is ranked as one of the top libraries in the United States. Only 256 of the 7,515 libraries in the nation earned top marks, just over 3 percent. The award was granted based on community questionnaires and statistics, including the number of people who use the library, how many interlibrary loan requests are made, and other information. Librarian Dan Masoni said the library did not apply for the award, it was simply granted based on data and it mostly honors his hard working staff.

"This is an indicator of the fact that we have exactly the right people working for us here at the city of Unalaska. And I'm just pleased with that. It's a wonderful reflection of the amount of work they do and their dedication to the job," he said.

People made more than 105 thousand visits to the library last year to check out materials, use the internet, study, and use other resources. In Alaska, only Haines and Delta Junction received the same honor. Masoni says the ranking does not bring any extra money to the library, just bragging rights.

Over the next year, Masoni says he will try to expand the library's collection to include "Play Away Books" palm-sized, digital audiobook players with one book pre-recorded onto each machine. Each Play Away book costs about $90 versus a hard back that only cost $30.

"What's going to happen is they're about three times more expensive but they last a lot longer, they're much more convenient. And so we're going to move into that between now and July 1st but if not we'll just work it into next year's budget."

The library's annual budget is about $550,000 per year, including grants.