A Library's Value
Journal Gazette: Jan 8, 2008
IN: Allen County residents who have visited the renovated downtown library or any of the county’s 13 branches already know the quality-of-life value of their rich community resource. Same with the patrons of Kendallville’s new library on Bixler Lake or Columbia City’s Peabody Library, with an observation deck overseeing an adjacent wetlands.
Now, an Indiana University report confirms the economic value of the state’s public libraries: A total market value of goods and services estimated at $629.9 million and a return of $2.38 on each dollar of investment. The report, by the Indiana Business Research Center at IU’s Kelley School of Business, concludes that public libraries are a good value, serving as “an important channel for literacy, education and information.”
“Public libraries are worth a lot more than they cost,” said Timothy Slaper, IBRC director of economic analysis and co-author of the report. “The 2.38-to-1 benefit-to-cost ratio represents a very conservative and defendable estimate of the value Hoosiers derive from their libraries.” READ ON
Information Searches That Solve Problems
How People Use the Internet, Libraries, and Government Agencies When They Need Help. Dec 30, 2007
There are several major findings in this report (a partnership of the University of Illinois: Urbana-Champaign and the Pew Internet & American Life Project). One is this: For help with a variety of common problems, more people turn to the internet than consult experts or family members to provide information and resources.
Another key insight is that members of Gen Y are the leading users of libraries for help solving problems and in more general patronage. In a national phone survey, respondents were asked whether they had encountered 10 possible problems in the previous two years, all of which had a potential connection to the government or government-provided information. Those who had dealt with the problems were asked where they went for help and the internet topped the list.
The survey results challenge the assumption that libraries are losing relevance in the internet age. Libraries drew visits by more than half of Americans (53%) in the past year for all kinds of purposes, not just the problems mentioned in this survey. And it was the young adults in tech-loving Generation Y (age 18-30) who led the pack. Compared to their elders, Gen Y members were the most likely to use libraries for problem-solving information and in general patronage for any purpose.
Furthermore, it is young adults who are the most likely to say they will use libraries in the future when they encounter problems: 40% of Gen Y said they would do that, compared with 20% of those above age 30 who say they would go to a library. READ ON
Journal Gazette: Jan 8, 2008
IN: Allen County residents who have visited the renovated downtown library or any of the county’s 13 branches already know the quality-of-life value of their rich community resource. Same with the patrons of Kendallville’s new library on Bixler Lake or Columbia City’s Peabody Library, with an observation deck overseeing an adjacent wetlands.
Now, an Indiana University report confirms the economic value of the state’s public libraries: A total market value of goods and services estimated at $629.9 million and a return of $2.38 on each dollar of investment. The report, by the Indiana Business Research Center at IU’s Kelley School of Business, concludes that public libraries are a good value, serving as “an important channel for literacy, education and information.”
“Public libraries are worth a lot more than they cost,” said Timothy Slaper, IBRC director of economic analysis and co-author of the report. “The 2.38-to-1 benefit-to-cost ratio represents a very conservative and defendable estimate of the value Hoosiers derive from their libraries.” READ ON
Information Searches That Solve Problems
How People Use the Internet, Libraries, and Government Agencies When They Need Help. Dec 30, 2007
There are several major findings in this report (a partnership of the University of Illinois: Urbana-Champaign and the Pew Internet & American Life Project). One is this: For help with a variety of common problems, more people turn to the internet than consult experts or family members to provide information and resources.
Another key insight is that members of Gen Y are the leading users of libraries for help solving problems and in more general patronage. In a national phone survey, respondents were asked whether they had encountered 10 possible problems in the previous two years, all of which had a potential connection to the government or government-provided information. Those who had dealt with the problems were asked where they went for help and the internet topped the list.
The survey results challenge the assumption that libraries are losing relevance in the internet age. Libraries drew visits by more than half of Americans (53%) in the past year for all kinds of purposes, not just the problems mentioned in this survey. And it was the young adults in tech-loving Generation Y (age 18-30) who led the pack. Compared to their elders, Gen Y members were the most likely to use libraries for problem-solving information and in general patronage for any purpose.
Furthermore, it is young adults who are the most likely to say they will use libraries in the future when they encounter problems: 40% of Gen Y said they would do that, compared with 20% of those above age 30 who say they would go to a library. READ ON
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