The Library Dividend Socio-economic research on the value of Queensland public libraries Andrew McDougall SGS Economics & Planning Libraries...the fourth R State Library of Queensland 18 th Sept 2012

Project objectives Project framework Project methodology Survey results Case study results Queensland results Conclusions Outline of Presentation

Expand understanding of the value of public libraries Prove that public libraries contribute economic benefit to the community Equip public library managers with tools for assessing value Equip public library managers with advocacy materials Key Project Objectives

Cost Benefit Analysis Benefits Less Costs Equals Net Benefits Economic Impact Analysis Direct stimulus Plus indirect (flow ion effects) Total induced economic activity Qualitative Insights Framework Elements Do public libraries provide a net benefit to the Queensland community? How much economic activity do libraries induce in their local economies? Content that brings numbers to life and aids advocacy efforts

CBA - Benefits Benefits Use Direct use...access to library resources/ services...social interaction Indirect use...sense of place and local amenity...environmental savings...contribution to literacy...contribution to education, career & health Non-use Option Legacy Existence...for future use...for current and future generations

CBA - Measurement Techniques Benefits Use Direct use Travel cost Financial savings Contingent valuation – users Indirect use Non-use Option Legacy Existence Contingent valuation – non-users

Direct Impacts Recurrent costs of operations Triggered user expenditures Indirect Impacts Total Impacts Local employment Local value added Local output EIA - Measurement Techniques

Research scope SurveySampleMethodSample sizeCoverage Library usersLibrary users over 18 years Online survey completed in libraries Average of 704 in each case study 4,926 in total 7 case study areas Queensland households Representative sample of all Queenslanders over 18 years Telephone survey 1,102Queensland

Case study library services Case studySegment population Brisbane Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast Mackay Goondiwindi Paroo Mount Isa Metropolitan High Growth Centre Disadvantaged Centre Regional Centre, Stable Population Small Rural Community (10-25,000) Declining Community (<5,000) Resource Segment

Library user survey...frequency of use

Library user survey...purpose of visit

Library user survey...primary activity

Library user survey...individual benefits

Library user survey...community contributions

Library user survey...selected quotes “The range of materials, the comfortable surroundings and the friendliness and helpfulness of staff.” “I love the mix of people it attracts all ages from all walks of life; I love that it promotes community.” “The library is an amazing place to go, staff are always friendly, and the atmosphere makes me feel at home. I can read a book and before I know it 2 hours have passed. I like libraries.”

Library user survey...selected quotes “We moved from overseas with very little and the library was fantastic, both for resources and helping us integrate into the community.” “I live a long way out of town so it is also a good mutual place to meet.” “Libraries have been an important part of both my education and my life”

Library user surveys...dollar values Financial savings$395 per annum Contingency valuation$52 per annum Worth more, but capacity to pay limited Travel costsTravel 7.8km to get to library Spend 37 minutes in library Triggered expenditures$55 per annum due to library use $19.70 spent elsewhere each visit

Household (non-user) survey...perceived benefits

Household (non-user) survey...perceived characteristics

Household (non-user) survey...willingness to pay “

Household (non-user) survey...selected quotes “ “Libraries. Wouldn't be without them!” “Libraries act as a hub where community members can come together not only for social activities but to pursue personal interests and continue on their path of lifelong learning.” “The library is a place where all people can go and have access to resources and be treated the same”.

Case studies...headline messages Case studyHeadline messages about library contributions Brisbane Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast Mackay Goondiwindi Paroo Mount Isa Embracing new technologies, changing community expectations Adult education and training opportunities Co-location with other community services enhances outcomes Innovative approaches to membership/ programming can mitigate transience of resource workers/ families Delivery service ensures community wide access Library’s role in times of crisis is accentuated Serving socially isolating community members, key entry point for transient resource works/ families

Insufficiency of funding Managing rising community expectations Keeping abreast with and training staff in emerging technologies Attraction and retention of quality staff Promotion of service offering to enable maximise community awareness/ use Case studies...common issues

Case studies...quantitative results Cost Financial savings Travel cost method Contingency valuation Brisbane Libraries$49.6$256.7$103.6$55.5 Sunshine Coast Libraries$14.7$49.7$33.4$11.0 Fraser Coast Libraries$2.7$15.5$6.1$3.3 Mackay Libraries$3.7$20.4$9.5$4.4 Paroo Libraries$0.2$0.7$0.3$0.1 Mount Isa Libraries$0.7$6.4$1.5$1.1 Goondiwindi Libraries$0.3$2.6$0.7$0.5 Total$71.9$351.9$155.1$76.0

Case studies...benefit cost ratios

Case studies...local economic impacts Impact on regional economy Income ($ million) Value-added ($ million)Employment DirectTotalDirectTotalDirectTotal Brisbane$71.22$165.44$29.87$ Sunshine Coast$18.86$31.12$9.94$ Fraser Coast$3.90$5.90$1.93$ Mackay$5.39$8.44$2.55$ Paroo$0.20$0.25$0.12$ Mount Isa$1.13$1.49$0.17$ Goondiwindi$0.70$0.98$0.34$ Total$101.39$213.62$44.92$ ,079.38

Queensland results...CBA

$614 million in Queensland income $295 million in Queensland value added 3,135 full time equivalent Queensland jobs Queensland results...EIA

Libraries contribute significantly to community welfare & economic activity. They provide a sound return on investment. Numbers are robust, disciplined & appropriately informed. Both Queensland library users and non-users appreciate the contributions made by libraries. Queensland community is largely satisfied with library services; suggested improvements revolve around the deepening of existing services. Conclusions

Questions