Library Toolkit:

The Value of Libraries during Economic Downturns

Libraries Help People Find Jobs

Brand, Madeleine. "Librarians Become Unofficial Job Counselors." Day to Day (NPR) (January 23, 2009). Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Carlton, Jim. "Folks Are Flocking to the Library, A Cozy Place to Look for a Job." Wall Street Journal - Eastern Edition 253, no. 12 (January 15, 2009): A1-A4. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Dymski, Gary. "A New Hot Spot for Job Hunters -- the Library: Libraries Nationwide are Reporting Heavy Use of Services, Including Job-Hunting Clinics." Newsday, (Melville, NY) (January 26, 2009). Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Turner, Allan. "Looking for Employment: Libraries are Bustling with Job Hunters." Houston Chronicle (TX) (January 25, 2009). Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Libraries in Demand during an Economic Downturn

Friess,Steve. "Libraries in Midst of Building Boom." USA Today (June 20, 2002).. Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Gardner, Amy. "Fairfax Library Use Is Soaring, But Its Budget Is Another Story." Washington Post, The (January 27, 2008).. Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Gowen, Annie. "Business Brisk at Area Libraries." Washington Post, The (February 2, 2009).. Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Grimm, Julie Ann. "Santa FePublic Libraries: Hot Spots in Tough Times." Santa Fe New Mexican, The (NM) (January 05, 2009). Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Gwinn, Mary Ann. "Library Use Jumps in SeattleArea; Economy Likely Reason." Seattle Times, The (WA) (January 15, 2009). Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Harlow, Tim. "Economy Sends Frugal Types to Libraries." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) (December 29, 2008). Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Hicks, Brian. "Check It Out: Library's Hip, Economical." Post and Courier, The (Charleston, SC) (February 05, 2009). Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Hull, Ana. "CaliforniaPublic Libraries Hit with Budget Cuts, More Visitors." San Jose Mercury News (CA) (February 9, 2003).. Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

"Libraries Used More during Difficult Economic Times." HudsonValley Business Journal 19, no. 15 (April 14, 2008): 12-12. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

"Library Usage Up in Wake of Recession: New Studies Highlight Use, Value of Libraries." Library Personnel News 15, no. 1/2 (Winter/Spring 2002): 15. Library Lit & Inf Full Text, WilsonWeb (accessed February 17, 2009).

Lynch, Mary Jo. "Economic Hard Times and Public Library Use Revisited." American Libraries 33, no. 7 (August 2002): 62-3. Library Lit & Inf Full Text, WilsonWeb (accessed February 17, 2009).

Roller, William. "Recession Boosts Use of Library." Sun, The (Yuma, AZ) (December 24, 2008). Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Vestal, Shawn. "Check Out the Lines: Library Business Booming during Economic Downturn." Spokesman-Review, The (Spokane, WA) (August 12, 2008). Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Weitzel, Jason. "A Ready Resource: Area Libraries Have Experienced a Surge in Patronage Over the Last 12 Months, Which Could Be a Reflection of the Economic Downturn as Patrons Take Advantage of a Variety of Services That Don't Cost a Dime." Reading Eagle (PA) (January 16, 2009). Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

What Libraries Can Do during Lean Times

Heckman, Lucy, Maxted, Lawrence R., and Caroline Geck. "Thrift for Tough Times." Library Journal, (January 2009), 38-40, MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Latham, John R.. "BePrepared Before the Recession Bites." Information Outlook 12, no. 11 (November 2008): 55. Library Lit & Inf Full Text, WilsonWeb (accessed February 17, 2009).

Full text available from the State Library through interlibrary loan.

Robertson, Guy. "Surviving Hard Times: How Libraries Can Deal with Recessions." Feliciter 54, no. 6 (2008): 272-4. Library Lit & Inf Full Text, WilsonWeb (accessed February 17, 2009).

"Surviving the Downturn by Becoming More Business-Minded." Information Outlook 12, no. 12 (December 2008): 36-7. Library Lit & Inf Full Text, WilsonWeb (accessed February 17, 2009).

Full text available from the State Library through interlibrary loan.

Libraries Offer a Great Return on Investment (ROI)

Duncan, Ross. "Best Bang for the Buck: The Economic Benefits of SunshineCoast Libraries Queensland." APLIS 21, no. 4 (December 2008): 140-153. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Monroe, Wanda. "Libraries Return On Investment Study." Library Mosaics 16, no. 6 (November/December 2005): 12-13. Library Lit & Inf Full Text, WilsonWeb (accessed February 17, 2009).

Oder, Norman. "FL, SC Studies Tout Return on Public Library Investment." Library Journal (1976) 130, no. 4 (March 2005): 16-18. Library Lit & Inf Full Text, WilsonWeb (accessed February 17, 2009).

Watstein, Sarah Barbara. "Library Value (Return on Investment, ROI) and the Challenge of Placing a Value on Public Services." Reference Services Review 36, no. 3 (2008): 226-31. Library Lit & Inf Full Text, WilsonWeb (accessed February 17, 2009).

Full text available from the State Library through interlibrary loan.

White, Larry Nash. "An Old Tool with Potential New Uses: Return on Investment." The Bottom Line 20, no. 1 (2007): 5-9. Library Lit & Inf Full Text, WilsonWeb (accessed February 17, 2009).

Full text available from the State Library through interlibrary loan.

Libraries Are Valuable to Society, Economically and Otherwise

Barber, Peggy and Linda Wallace. "Libraries Connect Communities." American Libraries 39, no. 9 (October 2008): 52-5. Library Lit & Inf Full Text, WilsonWeb (accessed February 17, 2009).

Fialkoff, Francine. "Libraries Are Not a Frill." Library Journal, (May 15, 2008), 8, MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Herbert, Rosemary. "Library’s Value Extends Far Beyond Books." Bangor Daily News. (October 11, 2008). Internet (accessed February 17, 2009).

Holt, Glen. "Communicating the Value of Your Libraries." Bottom Line: Managing Library Finances 20, no. 3 (August 2007): 119-124. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Imholz, Susan, and Jennifer Weil Arns. "Worth Their Weight: An Assessment of the Evolving Field of Library Evaluation." Public Library Quarterly 26, no. 3/4 (July 2007): 31-48. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

"Libraries Key to Building Local Economic Base." PA Times 30, no. 3 (March 2007): 5-5. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Milam, Danielle Patrick. "Public Library Strategies for Building Stronger Economies and Communities." National Civic Review 97, no. 3 (Fall2008): 11-16. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

"Study: Libraries Key To Economic Growth." American Libraries 38, no. 3 (March 2007): 16-16. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

"Toting Up Libraries' Value." Library Journal 131, no. 18 (November 2006): 13-13. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2009).

Library Use Value Calculator

How much would you pay out-of-pocket for your library services? Website by MaineState Library.