How much does your library benefit your community?

How much does your library benefit your community? The Nebraska Library Commission asked that very question in an NCompass blog post a few weeks ago. They also had some compelling numbers that show what a community would look like without a library. Yikes!

The NLC used data from several different sources. Local government revenue, information from the most recent public library surveys, and population size were taken into account. They determined that libraries cost the Nebraskan taxpayer only $41 a year.

When the cost of books, movies, magazines, digital subscription services, printer ink, internet connectivity, and other library materials are taken into consideration, that $41 is an excellent bargain. Without libraries, Nebraska residents would pay a total of $287,943,514 a year for these materials and services.

For example, it will cost you $19 to buy the latest Danielle Steel hardcover on Amazon. Buy two of those and you’ve spent nearly all of your $41. Also take into account the fact that you need an Amazon Prime subscription, (which costs $119 a year) just for free shipping.

Here’s another example. At Tekamah Public Library, we limit our patrons to 10 items per checkout. Let’s say you check out 10 items every week for a year. That’s 520 books, magazines, or movies for only $41. That number might only be feasible with our picture books, but you get the idea.

I’ll stop tormenting you with story problems. Weren’t those always the worst in math class?

Libraries also offer many services that aren’t free anywhere else. Our meeting spaces, computer and internet access, exam proctoring, reference transactions, homework help, and children’s activities are all free.

Here at Tekamah, we have also done many odd jobs for patrons. These have included activating someone’s new phone, showing someone how to post pictures on Facebook, and helping someone setting up their first email account. People are often shocked when there is no charge, which just goes to show how valuable our services are.

The math is simple. Using your library saves everyone big money, for only a small amount of tax revenue.

The NLC breaks these numbers down even further.