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What is Your Library's ROI?
By Anna Yackle, NSLS
June 29, 2007
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Libraries are priceless. Advocates often point out that libraries are unparalleled in promoting the love of reading, enabling people to access information, and serving as a community gathering place. This is not news to people who “get” libraries and are regular users; however, this message seems to have little impact on people who think libraries are expensive relics that are destined to be replaced by online resources.

Now, libraries and their fans have a powerful message that appeals to everyone.

The message goes beyond emotional or intellectual pleas and is firmly grounded in dollars and cents. Libraries have an actual and impressive financial impact on their community and the citizens they serve. New library buildings have served as catalysts for neighborhood economic development. We do not have to go far to see the evidence of this in cities like Des Plaines, Kankakee, and Chicago .

Even libraries that aren't expanding into new buildings have a positive influence. Various state libraries, associations, and individual institutions have analyzed data and determined that libraries deliver a return on investment (ROI) of between four to six dollars for every dollar spent.

Impressive examples and statistics help state the case, but nothing is more effective in making a point than demonstrating how something impacts the individual.

Particularly intriguing is the online calculator that allows library users to see how much money they saved by using the library. The Salem-South Lyon District Library has a particularly good tool that I used just to satisfy my curiosity and was startled to learn I saved almost $200 by using my library.

At first, I couldn't believe it. I closely examined their sources for and methods of determining prices and found them to be realistic and authoritative. Satisfied and impressed, I told everyone I met for the next few days how much money I saved. Imagine your library's users buzzing about their own experiences. Most libraries couldn't even begin to purchase that kind of positive advertising.

The North Suburban Library System would like to help you promote the value of your library.

We are working to create a calculator you can use. You will be able to create a link to it from your library's website and encourage your patrons—especially local officials, organizations, and businesses—to use it. The buzz marketing potential is limitless. The ROI calculator will be available this month and will be announced in our weekly e-newsletter, nsls.info.

It is not a surprise to people familiar with libraries that library staff and boards know how to stretch a dollar and get the most bang for the buck. Now is the time to share that information with the world, particularly our citizens and funding sources. Libraries are worth the investment and are viable and valuable cornerstones of our community and society. Let's tell people this exciting news!

About the Author

Anna Yackle is the public library liaison at the North Suburban Library System.

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