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Return on Investment in Florida’s Libraries: Using

the Study

Phyllis K. Pooley, MBA, JDAssociate Director

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•Collect, Analyze, Disseminate data on Northwest Florida and the state

•Sponsored Research

•Web/Print publications

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•850-474-2657

•www.haas.uwf.edu

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Public libraries are places where all citizens can reap the benefits of their tax dollars.

Study found that for FY2008, Florida public libraries returned $8.32 for every $1spent

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What does ROI Mean?

•Results measured by collected revenues after taking into account cost of the effort

•Can also measure how long it takes to receive tangible benefits

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For Public Libraries:

Revenues = Budget from funding entity

Expenses = Cost of effort to provide services

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No profits generated = no return on investment.

Story over?

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ROI is also:

A measure of investment versus OUTCOMES (not just profit)

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For Public Libraries:

Investment = Budget from funding entity (Revenue Investment)

Outcomes = Cost to Use Alternatives - (Revenue Investment + User Investment ) + Lost Use Benefit + Community Economic Benefit + Economic Return

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Outcomes = $ valuesUser Investment: The investment by users in their time, travel, purchases, etc., necessary to use public libraries or specific services

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Outcomes = $ values

Cost to Use Alternatives: The estimated costs to use alternatives to the public libraries should they cease to exist, and should users decide to pursue alternatives (measured in terms of time and other expenditures).

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Outcomes = $ values

Lost Use Benefits: These are benefits derived from use that would be lost if the public libraries did not exist.

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Outcomes = $ values

Community Economic Benefits: These are benefits that flow from the public library such as library spending with vendors, contractors, etc., in the state; revenues generated by vendors and contractors in the library (e.g., copying, coffee shop, gift shop); and spending that occurs as a result of library use (e.g., restaurants, stores, coffee shops). 

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Outcomes = $ values

Economic Return: The results of public library use that can be expressed in economic terms. (Such as impacts to Gross Regional Product)

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Meeting your businessinformation needs.User Investment: The investment by users in their time, travel, purchases, etc., necessary to use public libraries or specific services.  User Investment: The investment by users in their time, travel, purchases, etc., necessary to use public libraries or specific services.  User Investment: The investment by users in their time, travel, purchases, etc., necessary to use public libraries or specific services.  

Cost to Use Alternatives: The estimated costs to use alternatives to the public libraries should they cease to exist, and should users decide to pursue alternatives (measured in terms of time and other expenditures).  

What DON’T the ROI Study results say about public libraries?

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If ROI isn’t high, we aren’t doing a good job . . .

No, ROI may be high because of carryover effect coupled with budget reductions.

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If my ROI is higher than another libraries, my library is better than theirs . . .

No, ROI as measured by the study is not better or worse if it is high or low.

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If ROI goes down, we are spending too much money . . .

No, a decrease in ROI in this context does not necessarily mean a decrease in efficient use of funds

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What DO the ROI Study results say about public libraries?

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A positive ROI means our public library is providing positive value to the community . . .

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Thank you!

Questions?