Library Use Value Calculator

What is your library worth to you?

How much would you pay out-of-pocket for your library services?

  • Enter in the left hand column the number of times per month you or your family use each service.
  • Estimated retail value of each service will be calculated on the right.
  • Total value of your library use is shown at the bottom of the worksheet.
  • Tip: Tab between entries and do not use commas.
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Value of Library Services

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Library Services Value of
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Library Use Value Calculator
Explanations of Values

The cost figures for library services were derived by the Massachusetts Library Association based on the table below:

Library Service Value of Service Based On
Adult Books Borrowed $17.00 Amazon.com average price
Youth Books Borrowed $14.00 Amazon.com average price
Audiobooks/EAudio Borrowed $9.95 Audible.com download average
Interlibrary Loan Requests $25.00 Amazon.com average price plus shipping
eBooks Downloaded $15.00 Estimated B&N/Amazon average
Magazines Read $5.00 Estimated purchase price average
Newspapers Read $9.50 Boston Globe subscription (outside city)
Movies Borrowed $4.00 Estimated Netflix average
CDs Borrowed $9.95 iTunes download album average
Meeting Room Use (per hour) $25.00 Estimated value
Adult Programs Attended $15.00 Entertainment/program admission fee - estimated average per adult
Children's Programs Attended $7.00 Entertainment/program admission fee - estimated average per child
Museum Passes Borrowed $20.00 Museum admission fee - estimated average for two adults
Computer Use (per hour) $12.00 FedEx/Kinkos price
Board Games $22.00 average purchase price
Musical Instruments $15.00 average purchase price