South Carolina Public Library Economic Impact Study - Illinois

Surveys of users and non-users of public libraries have also been used byresearchers in several different studies. This approach usually involves the selection of arandom sample of users/non-users and asking them various demographic and use/non-useof their local public library. Questions may be asked of specific types of users (generalpublic, business information users, children, parents, teachers, etc.) to determine howuse/non-use varies. Questions may also include probing about the impacts that theirlibrary has had on life-style, economic advantages gained by use, value of the library tothe community, and so forth. The survey approaches used by these researchers have alsobeen employed as one of the two major techniques used in this study.Because libraries are systematic collectors of statistical information about the usesof their facilities and services, researchers have made considerable use of these data invarious studies of the impact or benefit of the library to the community. These studiesrange from simple calculations to determine per user cost of services to sophisticatedanalysis of value based on such things as user time, effort, replacement value, newfunding in the community because of the existence of the library, economic impacts ofconstruction, and purchase of services by the library. This study uses this approach as thesecond of the two major techniques used to calculate the value of public libraries to SouthCarolina taxpayers. (For citations to the research literature used in this study seeAppendix C.)Research Team and AcknowledgementsDr. Robert Williams and Dr. Dan Barron, were the primary investigators duringthe study and where joined by other SLIS faculty members, Dr. Stephen Bajjaly and Dr.Jennifer Arns along with their Graduate Research Assistants. A research team wasassembled composed of these faculty along with representatives from the public librarycommunity, Dr. Curtis Rogers, Director of Library Development, State Library of SouthCarolina and Valerie Rowe-Jackson, Associate Director for Strategic Planning, RichlandCounty Public Library. The primary representatives of APLA representatives wereBeverly James, Director, Greenville County Library; Dwight McInvaill, Director,South Carolina Public Library Economic Impact Study 8