Library 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 per month and year is shown at the bottom of the worksheet.
  • Tip: Tab between entries and do not use commas.

Once you've completed the worksheet, you can compare what it would cost you to pay for this service to what you pay each year in taxes for library services.

Value of Library Services
Input Monthly
Use		 Library Services Value of
Services
(i.e. Internet, MS Word, etc.)
 
 

The calculator worksheet has been adapted from the Maine State Library.

Library Tax Comparison  

Compare how much you paid in taxes for library services to the value of library services provided.

Market value of your home
or condominium		   Amount of Taxes paid
$

 
$
     
   



Values and Explanation: Calculator

This chart provides the explanation for the estimated retail values of the items used in the Library Use Value Calculator. Some of the values are estimates and averages based on 2007 costs.

A list of estimated or average Dexter values with explanation
ItemEstimated Retail ValueValues Explained
Book Borrowed $16.00 Estimated average discount cost of hardcover & paperback
Magazine Borrowed $4.00 Estimated cost to purchase a popular periodical issue
Video Borrowed (e.g., local national chain) $2.00 Sample Video Rental at Video Store
Audio Books Borrowed $10.00 Introductory Rental Price at booksontape.com
Magazine Use in Library $2.00 Estimated cost to purchase a popular periodical issue
Interlibrary Loan $25.00 Average cost for loans
Community Room Use $50.00 Average cost per booking
Program/Class Attended - Adult $15.00 Estimate
Program Attended - Children $8.00 Estimate
Computer Use - Internet and MS Word per hour $12.00 Sample hourly rate at a copy center
Wireless Access per hour $6.00 Sample hourly rate at a local wireless hotspot
Michigan Newspapers Online Articles Viewed $3.00 Average cost per article from newspaper archives
Other Database Searching - Number of Months Used $20.00 Minimum Cost for Monthly Access to Sample Online Database
Reference Questions $7.00 Estimated cost per question