Libraries improve literacy.  A vital target for any government and one which it has been shown libraries are crucial for.

Libraries create wealth.  For every tax dollar received, Florida public libraries in 2008 provided $8.32 in value (1). Also, the community gains in terms of better education, opportunities, social welfare savings, positive impact on house prices and the local economy, etc.

Libraries have a benefit disproportionate to their cost.  Certainty, at current budget levels compared to other public services, the Library is a bargain.

The internet is now an essential part of life and libraries provide free, and often the only, access to it for many of the population.

 Taxpayer Return on Investment in Florida Public Libraries
For every tax dollar received, Florida public libraries provide $8.32 in value.

This significant finding is from the recently released study, Taxpayer Return on Investment in Florida Public Libraries, by the Florida Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services. Other key findings revealed in this study highlight how Florida libraries support a strong economy. For every $3,491 of public support to libraries in Florida, a job is created. For every dollar of public support to libraries, wages or income increases by $22.97 and the value of all goods and services produced in Florida increases by $10.57.

At the State Library and Archives of Florida’s website (dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/roi), data can be viewed by county and the full 212-page report can be downloaded.