Public Value Statements for Libraries

Library users understand the private value they receive from the library but, what about the people in your community who don’t use the library?  How can you convince them that the library is valuable to them?

Public value is the indirect benefit that all community members receive from a library patron’s direct use of the library. A public value statement gives a very brief statement on how the private value of the library to one or more of its patrons translates into indirect benefits to taxpayers or other stakeholders. If taxpayers understand the nature of these indirect benefits, they are more likely to support funding for the library, whether or not they use the library.

Public value statements can be used as the capstone of a public value narrative which starts with a story and includes a statistic on how many patrons have similar direct benefits and acknowledges research on the effectiveness of the library in creating private benefits. Or you can start with this and then add the rest. Or in some cases, it can be used just by itself.

Library staff, boards and friends should have a few of these committed to memory for that time when someone says, “What do we need a library for?”

The answer is “Our library is a great investment because it is a vital part of our community’s infrastructure. For example, if we support our library, [fill in the blank with examples below, edited to fit your community]

The following statements were developed in a series of four workshops with 15 libraries attended by librarians, trustees and town members in Maine to talk about the difference between private and public value. The workshops were led by Jane Haskell, Extension Professor, and George Morse, Extension Faculty Associate, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

Below are the public value statements which emerged from these three workshops:

Children, Literacy and School Success

  • Young children attending pre-school storytime will be more ready to start school and be successful which not only benefits them but all of us by decreasing costs for special education or summer school classes.
  • Young children attending pre-school storytime will be more ready to start school and be successful which not only benefits them but all of us by increasing the graduation rate so that more of our young people are ready to be productive members of our community.
  • Daycare providers using child development resources will be better-trained providers which not only benefits them but all of us by improving the quality of childcare instruction through age-appropriate literacy training which enables children to be ready to start school.
  • Area children’s agencies who attend early literacy programs will reduce their costs through free staff development which not only benefits them but all of us by improving the quality of childcare instruction through age-appropriate literacy training which enables children to be ready to start school.

Workforce and the Economy

  • Potential workers who attend technology skills classes at the library will be better trained to get a job which not only benefits them but all of us by making them productive members of our community.
  • Potential workers who get free computer instruction at the library will be better trained to get a job which not only benefits them but all of us by making them productive members of our community.
  • Job seekers utilizing one-on-one employment help at the library will be more successful in getting a job which not only benefits them but all of us by making them productive members of our community.
  • Local workforce development agencies have reduced costs due to the wide range of employment resources, online access and career tests at the library.  This not only benefits them but all of us by making the use of our tax dollars more efficient.
  • Employers can enjoy reduced recruitment costs because of the technology access and training offered at the library which not only benefits them but all of us by enabling our small businesses to invest more in the community.
  • Prospective entrepreneurs who use the business planning workshops and access to business resources can enjoy reduced market entry barriers and startup costs which not only benefits them but all of us by enabling more entrepreneurs to launch small businesses in our community.
  • Existing entrepreneurs who use the library’s business resources will reduce their costs and improve their business performance which not only benefits them but all of us by enabling our small businesses to invest more in the community.
  • Small business development agencies can enjoy reduced operations costs and more effective outreach through access to library facilities and business resources which not only benefits them but all of us by enabling more efficient use of our economic development dollars.
  • Local businesses can enjoy the increased food traffic that libraries attract as non-competing anchor institutions which not only benefits them but all of us by enabling our small businesses to invest more in the community.

Quality of Life and Sense of Community

  • Residents and businesses enjoy the greater safety and quality of life which the library contributes to which not only benefits them but all of us by making our community more attractive.
  • The facility is a versatile, attractive part of our downtown which benefits all of us by adding to the quality of life in our community.