Using economic data to demonstrate the value of the library

Abstract

 Libraries have always collected data from the number of books to the number of web page views.  These statistics do not give a complete accounting of the library’s value.  To fully demonstrate the value of libraries, and justify budgets, librarians have increasingly turned to economic valuations.  Yet, economic valuations are challenging for non-profit, cultural and educational institutions.  This paper reviews the positive and negative aspects of economic valuation for libraries.