Calculate the Value of Your Library Use

Public libraries across Colorado are funded in a variety of ways depending upon the structure and decisions made by the communities they serve. Learn much more about that in the LRS blog A Search Through Local Revenue Sources.

This means that library funding and the amount each person pays toward this resource that is free for all to use, varies widely. This simple calculator is not an in-depth analysis of the value of your library beyond the dollars and cents but provides a snapshot of the value returned for your tax dollars.

How much would you pay for the checkouts and services you receive from your library?

To make the calculator more relevant to you and your library, choose your library in the dropdown below.

Enter the number of times MONTHLY you check out items or use the services below.

Monthly Uses	Category	Total Value
	Adult Books	$
	Young Adult Books	$
	Children Books	$
	Audiobooks	$
	Interlibrary Loan	$
	DVDs Borrowed	$
	eBooks Borrowed	$
	Magazines	$
	Newspapers	$
	Number of movies streamed	$
	Music CDs	$
	Number of songs downloaded	$
	Meeting Room Use	$
	Adult Programs	$
	Young Adult Programs	$
	Kid Programs	$
	Cultural and Museum Passes	$
	Computer Use	$
	Database Searches	$
	Reference Questions	$

Based on your responses to monthly use, the cost of items and services you receive monthly from your library is: $____

For every $1.00 in taxes you invest in your library, you receive $_____ of value in return.

The average local library taxes paid in your library service area are $____ per year or about $____ per month.

Where did these numbers come from?

Your personal return on investment is based on your responses and the typical annual tax contribution.

The values in the calculator are approximations from various sources and calculations.

There are other calculators available to explore. Syracuse University's calculator factors in labor costs. A project titled "Libraries in Community Systems" explored the impact of public libraries on social wellbeing.

This calculator is a modification of the Maine State Library calculator and developed by the Library Research Service.