This study was conducted by the Martin Prosperity Institute at the University of Toronto in December 2013, and was funded by the Toronto Public Library Foundation. Snippet: For every dollar invested in Toronto Public Library (TPL), Torontonians receive $5.63. This benefit results from the market value of services delivered, or direct tangible benefits and the Read More…
Category: Economic Impact
A Return on Investment Study of Salt Lake County Library Services (2013)
This study is a major research paper completed for an Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree at the University of Utah in July 2013. Snippet: To calculate ROI for Salt Lake County Library Services (SLCoLibrary), a mixed-methods approach was used to quantify the value of the public libraries in Salt Lake County. In the first Read More…
Santa Clara County Library District 2013 Return on Investment Report (2013)
This study was conducted by Berk Consulting for the Santa Clara County Library District in 2013. The report was funded by the Cupertino Library Foundation. Snippet: SCCLD’s full impact on Library District residents’ education, personal growth, community building, information and technology access, and quality of life is immeasurable. By estimating the value of a more Read More…
National Welfare & Economic Contributions of Public Libraries (2013)
This report was prepared by SGS Economics & Planning on behalf of the Australian Library and Information Association. Snippet: Cost-Benefit Assessment Based on the information provided across all jurisdictions, the total annual cost of public libraries across Australia is $1.03 billion. Public library staffing is consistently the largest individual cost category across all jurisdictions. Using Read More…
The Library Dividend Summary Report: A guide to the socio-economic value of Queensland’s public libraries (2012)
This report was conducted by SGS Economics and Planning for the Library Board of Queensland, Australia, in September 2012. Snippet: For every $1 invested in Queensland Public Libraries they deliver $2.30 value to the community. New independent research commissioned by State Library of Queensland on behalf of public libraries proves and quantifies the value of Read More…
Texas Public Libraries: Economic Benefits and Return on Investment (2012)
This study was conducted by the Bureau of Business Research, IC2 Institute, at the University of Texas at Austin in 2012. This study was funded with Library Services and Technology Act funds administered by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Snippet: Public libraries Read More…
The Library in the City: Changing Demands and a Challenging Future (2012)
This study was conducted by The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Philadelphia Research Institute in 2012. Snippet: Big-city public libraries have rarely been as popular as they are today and rarely as besieged. The hard economic times of recent years have generated increased demand for the free and varied services libraries provide, even as revenue-challenged local governments Read More…
Dollars, Sense and Public Libraries (2011)
This is an independent report by SGS Economics and Planning for the State Library of Victoria and Public Libraries Victoria Network, Australia. Snippet: Dollars, Sense and Public Libraries is a major three-year project to assess the economic value of public libraries in Victoria. The results are described in this top-line summary, behind which lies a Read More…
Taxpayer Return on Investment in Florida Public Libraries (2010)
This study was conducted by the Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development at the University of West Florida in 2010. It was funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Read More…
The Economic Value of the Free Library in Philadelphia (2010)
This report is authored by the Fels Institute of Government, University of Pennsylvania, and Fels Research & Consulting. Snippet: What value does the Free Library of Philadelphia (“the Library”) create and add to the economic lives and futures of its users and the citizens of Philadelphia? This was the central question posed by the staff of the Read More…