Public libraries support
the local economy

There has been mounting evidence that public libraries bolster the local economic prosperity of the communities they serve.

Public Libraries contribute to the economic well-being of local businesses

Research shows that public libraries increase the potential profits of nearby businesses and which in turn increases the economic success of the local community.

• a report on public libraries in Nova Scotia states that "Increased library traffic directly benefits area businesses. Studies have shown that people using public libraries also tend to include shopping with visits to the library" (Nova Scotia Regional Libraries Funding Formula Review Committee, 1993, p.36)

• when Hamilton Public Library studied the effects of the imposition of a Non-resident user fee, research showed that the Central Library experienced 71,916 fewer annual visits (1995 over 1993), at a time when residential use was increasing. "It was the consensus feeling of the Central Library Services Review Steering Committee that the introduction of non-resident fees has caused the number of regional borrowers to diminish, to the detriment of the downtown core... It would appear that the Parking Authority alone loses more revenue than we generate from non-resident fees." (Roberts, p.1/2)

• research in BC showed that over 75% of library patrons regularly combined trips to the library with the purchase of goods and services ($500 -- $600 annually) from retail stores close to the library....... the total value of economic activity generated by a library location could be measured ... The annual 'direct economic activity' for Guildford was $20 million, for Newton $10.8 million, for Ocean Park $5.7 million and for Whalley $9.9 million" (Surrey Public Library, 1994, p. intro)

• in the United Kingdom, library users were asked if their library visits were combined with other reasons for being in the area. The number one answer was "shopping" with 51% of people giving this response. (Cheshire County Council, 1985, Table 3.6)

• an American researcher noted that "the library is complementary to other businesses in the complex, and the use of all businesses is very likely to increase because of the presence of the library" (Anderson, 1994, p.396)

Public libraries improve the market worth
of a community

Evidence has been mounting that "a thriving cultural scene creates an atmosphere that is conducive to business; the arts, cultural events and institutions attract people and their disposable incomes and generally make for safer, more vibrant cities" (Boucher, 1995, p.12)

• an Ontario report notes that "By helping to attract new businesses and residents, modem library facilities can have a direct impact on increased tax dollars and local economic renewal... Since 1990, analysis conducted on site selection factors for new or relocated businesses showed that quality of life, including good schools and cultural and recreational facilities [i.e., libraries], ranked as the most important factor" (Ontario Libraries and Community Information Branch, 1995, p.8)

• research in the United States confirms that public libraries increase the economic value of a community by "their capacity to draw businesses, home buyers, tourists, and others to the zone" (Cooper and Crouch, 1994, p.233)

• in California, "county officials found that studies in a number of communities nationwide indicated libraries, if maintained and administered wen, increased property values in the community served. Ale American Association of Certified Appraisers even states that appraisers look to see if a community has a local library when assessing property values;' (Cooper and Crouch, 1994, p.232)

Public libraries offer learning opportunities in a neighborhood, which stimulate the positive growth of people and reduce the risk of crime, drug abuse and other undesirable and expensive problems.

Public libraries invest in the economy

Public libraries contribute to the economy via their annual operating budgets and capital projects.

• in Ontario "34.2 billion dollars is generated annually by the information technology sector. The amount of money spent by libraries (approximately 20% of their budgets) on automation-related areas supports Ontario-based

automation companies" (Ontario Libraries and Community Information Branch, 1995, p.10)

• "library capital projects include new buildings, expansions, renovations, access projects... heritage building preservation work, as well as heating and air conditioning renovations and installations, and renovations associated with building conversions. These labour-intensive projects can provide needed local short-to-medium construction jobs" (Cultural Partnerships Branch, 1996, p.1)

• Service de la bibliothèque de Ville de Laval spent $1,821,196 on building and maintenance expenditures in 1992 (CALUPL Annual Statistics 1992, p.193)

• Saskatoon Public Library spent $780,561 on building and maintenance expenditures in 1992 (CALUPL Annual Statistics 1992, p.431)

• Halifax City Regional Library spent $4,782,363 on building and maintenance expenditures in 1992 (CALUPL Annual Statistics 1992, p.142)

• Public libraries in Ontario and British Columbia together spent over tens of millions of dollars on library, building and office supplies (Ontario Public Library Statistics 1994, British Columbia Statistics 1994)

Public libraries support the Canadian economy. Their participation in the economy increases tax revenue and employment. "... the arts and culture sector contributes to the well-being of a variety of businesses through the purchase of goods and services" (Statistics Canada, 1986, p.9)

Public libraries benefit local businesses

Businesses need information. Many small and larger businesses cannot afford to keep the information they require in-house and so are turning increasingly to the public library for their information needs. In this way, public libraries contribute to the economy by offering information resources and services to local businesses and organizations.

• "Businesses can go to their local library to access business addresses and contact names, product information, laws, and information on taxes, investment and loan opportunities, up-to-date business articles, business operations, strategy and management items, import/export data, customs procedures and opportunities, marketing strategy, government information and gather information on competitors" (Cultural Partnerships Branch, Oct. 1996 2nd ed., p.5)

• "public libraries are used an average of 6.9 times per year by professionals for work-related purposes" (Griffiths and King, 1994, p.86)

• at the North York Public Library a recent survey demonstrated that "almost two-thirds of businesses surveyed use libraries to obtain required information, about one-third frequently and one-third occasionally" (North York Public Library, 1995, p.44)

• a survey of community health organization directors in Ontario were asked to rate 12 information provider options according to frequency of use. The public library was rated at the top (Smythe et al. 1994, p.34 Table 11)

Public libraries provide relevant and useful services for both the private and the public sector. When libraries provide information services to local companies and individuals, the money and time saved by these businesses and workers can be invested elsewhere.

• "the investment of these resources in turn contributes to strengthening the local economy. Therefore, the saving to corporate and individual library users of not having to buy their information elsewhere becomes a meaningful measure of economic impact" (Ellis, 1994, p.8)

Public libraries provide high-skill and high-tech jobs

Public libraries provide jobs for thousands of Canadians. The jobs provided in many libraries are those that are critical to the success of our changing economy, with staff that is familiar with an automated workplace, skilled (in a customer-driven market) in customer service, and highly trained on the most current technologies and applications.

Each of these employees contributes to the Canadian economy by paying taxes and purchasing goods and services. In Ontario, staff salaries in libraries totalled $237,383,818 in 1994 (Ontario Public Library Statistics, 1994), money that is then fed into local economies to pay taxes, mortgages, tuition, buy cars and clothes, go to movies and restaurants, and the like.