Return on Investment

Several studies have been done to determine how much value public library users get back for their tax dollars - the Return on Investment (ROI). Each time you use one of the many resources provided by JCPL, you get a return that tends to be of greater value than what you pay each year to support the Library. Studies from across the nation show overwhelmingly that public libraries give you a high return on every tax dollar.

In 2010 the residents of Jefferson County provided $24.3 million in taxes to support the library. Residents received the equivalent of $109,949,941 million in services, for a return on investment of more than 400 percent!

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The numbers below indicate the total ROI taxpayers received by using Jefferson County Public Library during 2010.

Books Checked out - 3,407,590* @ $17 = $57,929,030 - Based on an average cost per item; *excludes renewals	$57,929,030
Magazines Checked out - 123,854* @ $4 = $495,416 - Based on an average cover price per magazine; *excludes renewals	$495,416
Videos and DVD's Checked out - 1,255,294* @ $4 = $5,021,176 - Based on an average rental; *excludes renewals	$5,021,176
Books on tape and CD Checked out - 329,711* @ $45 = $14,836,995 - Based on average cost per item; *excludes renewals	$14,836,995
Music Checked out - 459,939* @ $16 = $7,359,024 - Based on an average cost per item; *excludes renewals	$7,359,024
Downloadable Resources Audiobooks - 38,838 @ $25 = $970,950 - Based on average cost to purchase audiobooks eBooks - 13,457 @ $9 = $121,113 - Based on cost to download eBooks at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble	$1,092,063
Culture Passes Passes provided - 3,157* @ $6 = $18,942 - Based on an average ticket cost	$18,942
Programs attended Children's programs - 4,137 @ $6 = $24,822 Young Adult programs - 267 @ $10 = $2,670 Adult programs - 2,302 @ $10 = $23,020 - Based on Maine Library Services calculator	$50,512
Internet access Number of uses - 775,779 @ $12 = $9,309,348 - Based on an average cost for metro area access at hourly providers. Note that at the library, computers and printers are provided, at free wifi areas you must provide the computer/printer yourself	$9,309,348
Research Access Reference Questions - 376,488 @ $15 = $5,647,320 - Based on Maine Library Services calculator Database uses - 291,777 @ $20 = $5,835,540 - Based on LRS Library Services calculator	$11,482,860
Interlibrary loan and Prospector Items borrowed through ILL - 7,937 @ $25 = $198,425 Items borrowed through Prospector - 86,246 @ $25 = $2,156,150 - Based on the average Colorado cost per item plus shipping - includes books and AV materials	$2,354,575
Grand Total	$109,949,941

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