New Study Finds Large Return on Investment in Public Libraries

According to a new report from the University of North Carolina's School of Information and Library Science, public libraries are a big bargain for tax payers. The study concluded that for every one dollar taxpayers spent funding public libraries, they received a $5.50 return.

Pennsylvania taxpayers currently spend $249 million a year to fund public libraries. If the funding were pulled and libraries closed, the total economic losses to the state could total $1.34 billion. The study concludes that people would be forced to spend extra time and money locating information and resources that are readily available for free or reduced cost at most libraries. Loss of jobs and wages for library employees and lost revenue for nearby businesses would also negatively impact the economy.

According to the study, visitors to the library engaged in a variety of activities. Fifty-six percent of library patrons checked out books, while almost 40 percent used a library computer to access the Internet. Thirty-four percent asked a librarian for help in locating information. One in four visitors used reference materials and 11 percent attended a lecture or program. Seventy percent of users visited the library because it did not cost much time or money.

While many people think of libraries as catering to children and students, the study showed that a large number of visitors used the library for work-related information. Sixty-one percent of adult workers visited the library for work-related research, while one quarter sought information on financial and tax matters. Ninety percent of adult workers who visited the library think that the visit improved their work. Seventy nine percent believed that their visit increased productivity, and 73 percent believed that they accomplished work faster because of their visit.

The libraries also proved popular with families, with parents frequently visiting the library with their children. Seventy eight percent of children were brought to the library to check out a book, while 38 percent came to the library to participate in a special children's program. Sixty three percent of adults who accompanied children to the library checked out books of their own. According to the study, adults spend $17 million in money and time visiting the libraries. If libraries were closed, it would cost adults $43 million to use comparable services.

The study also made note of life-long learners, most of whom are heavy library users. According to the study, life long learners spend $62 million in time and money visiting the library, but it would cost them $181 million dollars to obtain information from another source.

Source: Taxpayer ROI in Pennsylvania Public Libraries