Taxpayer Return on Investment in Florida Public Libraries 2013

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
June 4, 2014 6:13 a.m.

The Florida Department of State has recently published a brochure touting the economic benefits of libraries to the state in 2013.  A study commissioned by the Division of Library and Information Services and conducted by the Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development of the University of West Florida revealed that for every dollar invested in the states public libraries, the taxpayers realize a return of $10.18 of public value.  The state’s public libraries support 192,000 jobs directly or indirectly.  There are 555 public libraries throughout the state and 9.5 million library cardholders.  In 2013 there were over 82 million library in-person visits and over 126 million items checked out.  Additionally, libraries handled over 30.6 million reference inquiries during 2013.

Florida public libraries receive 90% of their funding from local sources.  The information below was taken from a state brochure summarizing the results of the study:

library2The Nassau County Library System has ordered copies of the brochure and will have them available at library branches shortly.

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John P. Bertsch
John P. Bertsch(@jprbertschaol-com)
9 years ago

I would like to suggest that the Nassau County Library System mail copies of this brochure to all present members of the FBCC and Nassau County Commission. It may also be a good idea to include those members who have served, but are no longer members…at least for the past 10 years.