12/01/06 New Economic Impact Study: Southwest Ohio Libraries Return Four Times More Then Their Operational Costs
The results of a study commissioned by nine public libraries in four counties in southwest Ohio demonstrates that their economic impact is nearly four times greater than the amount invested in the libraries' operations. The study, involving public library systems in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties, is the first collaborative effort between these libraries and the first of its kind in Ohio.
Seven of the nine Southwestern Ohio library directors who participated in the first Economic Benefit Study of its kind in the state are from left to right: Mary Pat Essman (Lane Public Library), Kim Fender (Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County), Mary Novak (Franklin Public Library), Jerri Short (Salem Township Public Library), Sarah Brown (Mason Public Library), Douglas Bean (Middletown Public Library), and Linda Swartzel (Mary L. Cook Public Library). Not shown: Leslie Massey (Clermont County Public Library) and Julie Florence (Lebanon Public Library).
The report from Levin, Driscoll & Fleeter in Columbus concludes that, using a conservative measure of value, the libraries' cumulative expenditure of about $74.5 million returned a quantifiable direct economic benefit of $238.6 million, or $3.81 for each dollar expended in 2005. The study also recognizes that these libraries add significant value to their users and communities that cannot be assigned a dollar value including, “improved economic prospects and an enhanced quality of life.”
Participating libraries included Lane Public Library and Middletown Public Library in Butler County; Clermont County Public Library in Clermont County; Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County in Hamilton County; and Franklin-Springboro Public Library, Lebanon Public Library, Mason Public Library, Salem Township Public Library, and Mary L. Cook Public Library (Waynesville) in Warren County. A total of 91% of the funding for these nine libraries comes from the State of Ohio.
Library Director Kim Fender (Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County) is pictured with Senator Richard Finan (former President of the Ohio Senate) and two members of Levin, Driscoll & Fleeter (Howard Fleeter and Rich Levin) who conducted the Economic Benefits Study.
The results of the study were released during a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse on November 29.
Additional information about the report available online includes:
• a copy of the complete report
• a summary of the report
• an audio pod cast of the press conference courtesy of OPLIN
• a 21-slide PowerPoint presentation by Levin, Driscoll & Fleeter with study highlights
For more information, go to: www.9libraries.info.
