Library Use 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 is shown at the bottom of the worksheet.
Tip: Tab between entries and do not use commas.


Input Your Use	Library Services	Value of Services
	Books Borrowed	$
	Magazines Borrowed	$
	Movies Borrowed	$
	Audio Books Borrowed	$
	Magazine Use in Library	$
	Interlibrary Loan	$
	Meeting Room Use per Hour	$
	Adult Programs and Classes Attended	$
	Children's Programs Attended	$
	Hours of Computer Use (i.e. Internet, MS Word, etc.)	$
	Newspapers Viewed	$
	Use of Database Searching	$
	Reference Questions Asked	$

		$

The calculator worksheet has been adapted from the downloadable spreadsheet, originally provided by the Massachusetts Library Association and then adapted for the web by Chelmsford Public Library. Maine State library added extra accessibility coding and reformatting for ease of reading online. Thomas Branigan Memorial Library adapted this form for Las Cruces patrons. This spreadsheet requires either Microsoft Excel or the Excel Viewer.

How Costs Were Calculated:

Item	Estimated Retail Value	Values Explained
Book Borrowed	$15.00	Estimated average discount cost of hardcover & paperback
Magazine Borrowed	$2.00	Estimated cost to purchase a popular periodical issue
Video Borrowed (e.g., local national chain)	$4.00	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	$5.00	Average cost for loans at Branigan Library (processing and postage)
Meeting Room Use per Hour	$50.00	Estimate
Program/Class Attended - Adult	$10.00	Estimate
Program Attended - Children	$6.00	Estimate
Computer Use, e.g., Internet and MS Word per hour	$12.00	Sample hourly rate at a copy center
Newspapers Viewed	$1.00	Average cost of newspapers
Database Searching	$13.00	Minimum Cost for Monthly Access to Sample Online Database
Reference Questions	$3.15	Estimated cost per question