This Value of Library Service Calculator to assist libraries in understanding and communicating their worth was developed by the Massachusetts Library Association Legislative Committee.  The values were updated in September 2008.  

How these values were calculated.

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Library Service       Value of ServiceBased On
Adult Books borrowed$17.00Amazon.com average price
Children/Young Adult books borrowed$12.00Amazon.com average price
Magazines borrowed$5.00Estimated purchase price average
Newspapers browsed per week$9.50Boston Globe subscription (outside city)
Videos borrowed$4.00Blockbuster average
Audio Books borrowed$9.95Audible.com download average
CD's borrowed$9.95iTunes download album average
Museum Pass borrowed$30.00Typical savings for two attendees at Massachusetts museum
Interlibrary Loan request filled$25.00Amazon.com average price plus shipping
Meeting/study room use per hour$25.00Estimated value
Auditorium use per hour$250.00Estimated value
Adult Programs attended$15.00Museum program/admission fee (single)
Children's Programs attended$7.00Museum program/admission fee - youth
Hours of Computer Use (Internet, MS Word, etc.)$12.00FedEx-Kinkos price
Online Magazine or Newspaper Article$2.00Average cost for online article search
Information Research Requests Answered$7.00Average library cost



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