Indiana: Your Libraries Are Worth More Than You Think

A report commissioned by the Indiana State Library and prepared by the Indiana Business Research Center found that:

The market value of Indiana public libraries’ circulation and other services came to $630 million in 2005… Those libraries had total operating expenses of $265.1 million, so that means Hoosiers are getting $2.38 in benefits for every dollar they invest in libraries.

In addition to the market value of services provided, public library payrolls and their purchases of goods and services have an economic impact of $479 million, according to the Indiana Business Research Center report.