The Library Dividend
Technical Report
A study of the socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
An independent report by SGS Economics and Planning for State Library of Queensland
Project Team
This report has been prepared by:
Case Study Workgroup
SGS Economics and Planning Pty Ltd
State Library of Queensland wishes to acknowledge the
generous contributions to this study made by the public
library services from the following seven Local Governments:
ACN 007 437 729
Level 1, 76 McLachlan Street
FORTITUDE VALLEY 4006
P: + 61 7 3124 9026
F: + 61 73124 9031
~~ Brisbane City Council
~~ Fraser Coast Regional Council
~~ Goondiwindi Regional Council
E: [email protected]
W: www.sgsep.com.au
~~ Mackay Regional Council
Offices in Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney
~~ Paroo Shire Council
~~ Mount Isa City Council
~~ Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Images
With thanks to Bundaberg Regional
Council, Brisbane City Council, Central
Highlands Regional Council, Fraser
Coast Regional Council, Goondiwindi
Regional Council, Hinchinbrook Shire
Council, Isaac Regional Council, Mackay
Regional Council, Moreton Bay Regional
Council, Mount Isa City Council, Northern
Peninsular Area Regional Council, Paroo
Shire Council, Sunshine Coast Regional
Council and State Library of Queensland.
Published in September 2012 by State Library of Queensland.
This document has been prepared in good faith on the basis of
information collected specifically for this research study and as
available in 2011 during the period the research was undertaken.
This Technical Report is available on the State Library of
Queensland website: www.slq.qld.gov.au
For more information contact:
State Library of Queensland
P: 07 3842 9056
E: [email protected]
W: www.slq.qld.gov.au
© State Library of Queensland 2012
State Library of Queensland acknowledges that this report is
based on a concept developed by the State Library of Victoria,
and the publication Dollars, Sense and Public Libraries (2011).
ISBN 978-0-646-58639-7
Design and Layout
Superscript Design and State Library of Queensland
[BACK TO
CONTENTS]
The Library Dividend
Technical Report
A study of the socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
An independent report by SGS Economics and Planning for State Library of Queensland
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
1
Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4
1INTRODUCTION
12
1.1 Project Context
12
1.2 Project Objectives
13
1.3 Project Methodology
13
1.3.1Considerations
13
1.3.2Phasing
13
1.4 Structure of this Report
15
2 PUBLIC LIBRARY SNAPSHOT
16
2.1 Library Services and Facilities
17
2.2Collection
17
2.3 Overall Usage
17
4VALUATION TECHNIQUES
AND RESULTS ELSEWHERE
4.1 Techniques to Monetise Benefits
4.1.1
Contingency Valuation Method
28
28
4.1.2 Financial Savings/Consumer Surplus
29
4.1.3 Travel Cost Method
29
4.2 Available Evidence of Benefits
30
4.2.1 Aggregate Direct and Indirect Uses
30
4.2.2 Direct Use Benefits: Access to Services 31
4.2.3 Direct Use Benefits: Specific Programs
32
4.2.4 Indirect Use Benefits
33
4.2.5 Non-Use Benefits
34
4.3Techniques to Estimate Induced
Economic Activity
34
35
35
2.4Programs
18
4.4Available Evidence of Induced
Economic Activity
2.5 Income Sources
19
4.5Synopsis
2.6Expenditure
19
2.7 Trends in Library Usage and Provisions
19
5 DISTILLED ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK
36
5.1 Cost Benefit Analysis
36
22
5.2 Economic Impact Analysis
38
5.3 Case Study Library Services
40
3.1 Value of Public Libraries
22
5.4 Scaling the Results
41
3.2 C
osts and Benefits of
Public Library Services
23
3PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMUNITY
WELFARE CONTRIBUTIONS
3.2.1Costs
23
3.2.2 Direct User Benefits
23
3.2.3 Indirect User Benefits
24
3.2.4 Non-User Benefits
24
3.3 Economic Activity Generated
5.4.1 Cost Benefit Analysis
41
5.4.2 Economic Impact Assessment
41
6 Survey Results
6.1 Library User Survey
6.1.1
42
42
Usage Frequency
43
26
6.1.2 Reasons for Library Use
43
3.3.1Economic Stimuli (Direct Impact)
26
6.1.3 Primary Activity at the Library
44
3.3.2Economic Flow-Ons (Indirect Impact)
26
6.1.4 Length of Stay
44
26
6.1.5 Distance Travelled
45
6.1.6 Induced and Prompted Expenditure
45
6.1.7
45
3.4Synopsis
Satisfaction with Library Services
6.1.8 Benefits of Library Services
2
28
The Library Dividend
46
6.1.9Public Library Contributions to
the Community
47
6.1.10 Best Things about Public Libraries
48
6.1.11Suggested Improvements to
Public Libraries
48
6.1.12Estimated Financial Value of
Library Services
48
6.1.13 Willingness to Pay for Library Services
49
6.2 Household (Non-User) Survey
50
6.2.1 Perceived Benefits of Public Libraries
52
6.2.2Perceived Characteristics of
Public Libraries
52
6.2.3Perceived Contribution to
Community Culture
53
6.2.4Suggested Improvements to
Public Libraries
54
6.2.5 Willingness to Pay for Library Services
54
6.3Synopsis
7 Case Study Results
7.1 Case Study Selection
7.1.1
Brisbane City Council Library Services
55
56
56
56
7.1.2Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Library Service
58
7.1.3Fraser Coast Regional Council
Library Service
62
65
7.1.5
68
7.1.6Goondiwindi Regional Council
Library Service
70
7.1.7
73
Paroo Shire Council Library Service
7.2 Library Programs
7.2.1
Early, Children’s and Family Literacy
8.2 Validity of Results
89
8.3 Economic Impact Assessment
91
9 Conclusions and Recommendations
92
9.1Conclusions
92
BibliogRAPHY94
Appendix 1: Library User Survey
96
Case Study Locations
96
Response Rates
96
Survey Method
96
Survey Instrument
97
103
Tabulated Results
104
Appendix 2: Household (Non-User) survey
166
Household (Non-User) Survey Results
166
Tabulated Results
169
76
77
7.2.3 Adult Literacy and Training
77
7.2.4 Digital Literacy
78
7.2.5Multicultural Services and
Awareness Programs
78
7.2.6 Home Library Service
79
7.2.7Other Public Events and
Learning Programs
79
80
7.4Case Study Results Economic Impact Assessment
83
7.5Synopsis
86
7.5.1
88
76
7.2.2 Young Adult and Youth Literacy
7.3Case Study Results Cost Benefit Assessment
88
8.1 Cost Benefit Analysis
Online User Survey Results
7.1.4Mackay Regional Council
Library Service
Mount Isa City Council Library Service
8 Value Assessment
Common Issues
86
7.5.2 Future Advocacy Efforts
86
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
3
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
State Library of Queensland
(the State Library)
commissioned this study
to assess the community
welfare contributions of
the state’s public library
network and the economic
impact these public
libraries have on their host
regional economies.
Public Libraries in Queensland
Public library services in Queensland are delivered by local
government. Over 20 million visits to public libraries were
made in 2010-2011. This equates to 4.7 visits per capita
across all of Queensland. If visitation is attributed solely to
library members, i.e. 45% of the Queensland population,
then visitation frequency translates to approximately 10 visits
each year per library member.
In support of these public library services, the Queensland
Government provides significant funding through the
State Library which contributes approximately $21 million
p.a., supporting some 341 public libraries and Indigenous
Knowledge Centres across the state.
Nonetheless, Queensland public libraries lag behind other
Australian states in terms of expenditure per capita.
Research into the socio-economic value of libraries in
Queensland has stemmed from the release of Expanding
Horizons: Positioning Queensland Public Libraries for the
Future 2008-2012 which is currently in a review stage;
however, the strategic themes are relevant beyond 2012.
Equity of access to library services is a key driver of their
value within communities. Public libraries are noted for
the commitment to providing library services, at no cost
to the consumer, without prejudice. Queensland has a
dispersed settlement pattern and is geographically very
large. Therefore, equity of access is targeted through
careful planning and coordination between the State
Library and local government library service managers,
and online services.
Project Scope & Objectives
This project follows State Library of Victoria’s Dollars, Sense
and Public Libraries report, which assessed the socioeconomic value of public libraries in Victoria. State Library
of Queensland desired to undertake a similar analysis of
Queensland public libraries, with four high-level objectives:
1. expand the understanding of the value of public
libraries to the communities that they serve
2. prove that public libraries contribute economic benefit
to the community
3. provide public library managers with tools for assessing
the value of specific library services
4. equip public library managers with advocacy materials
to ensure future funding decisions are best advocated.
This report summarises the processes used and results
generated in accordance with the first two objectives.
That is, this report documents the value of public libraries to
the Queensland community, building on a review of methods
and results generated both nationally and internationally,
plus significant primary research undertaken as part of
this project.
4
The Library Dividend
Recommendations under objectives 2, 3 and 4 are made,
however, the tools and advocacy materials themselves are
provided separately. It should be noted that this research is
based on physical buildings and collections and does not
investigate services delivered online.
Assessing how Libraries contribute to
the Community
The first phase of research undertaken as part of this project
was to review similar studies elsewhere and establish a clear
framework for estimating the value of public libraries. This
research has highlighted that while not applied universally in
previous studies, there are two forms of analysis that help us
estimate the value of public libraries.
1. The net contribution public libraries make to community
welfare. This contribution is measured via a cost
benefit assessment (CBA) framework, which
considers the economic, social and environmental costs
and benefits associated with public library services,
enabling an estimate of net benefit to be derived
2. The economic activity induced in the regional economy
by public library operations. This activity is measured by
an economic impact assessment (EIA) framework,
which identifies the stimuli that public libraries introduce
into regional economies through their expenditure
profiles, and traces how these stimuli culminate in
economic activity in buyer and supplier industries
through successive rounds of economic transactions.
The results of these assessment frameworks are not
cumulative, i.e. they cannot be added together. They answer
two different questions, with the CBA telling us if libraries are
good value investments, and the EIA telling us how much
regional economic activity libraries generate.
Cost Benefit Assessment Framework
The costs of public libraries are clearly defined and available
via their recurrent capital and operating costs. This
information is readily available from the annual Statistical
Bulletin published by the State Library.
~~ public library contribution to literacy (including
digital literacy)
~~ public library facilitation of improved education,
career development and health outcomes.
Non-users of public libraries also gain benefits from public
library services. These include the value non-users place on
having the option to use public libraries in future, as well as
the value of knowing that public libraries exist for others to
use, both now and in future.
Measuring the benefits of public libraries is not as
straightforward as measuring costs, because the benefits
are enjoyed by both users and non-users, and are not
traded in the marketplace as they are largely provided free
of charge. Consequently, market prices do not exist. To
overcome this issue, this project has used a combination
of three non-market valuation techniques, which overlap in
some cases, but which will provide alternative estimates of
benefit for the sake of comparison:
~~ financial savings – this method values the services
offered by public libraries by asking users to estimate the
costs they would incur if similar services were provided
by substitute, private sector providers
~~ travel costs – this method estimates the value of time,
cost and effort that library users incur in getting to and
in using public library services. In essence this method
assumes that the value derived by users must outweigh
the costs incurred, otherwise users wouldn’t make
the visit
~~ contingency valuation – this method asks library
users and non-users how much they would be willing to
pay to keep the public library services on offer in their
respective communities.
The CBA framework is summarised in Figure A.
This project has undertaken significant primary research
to populate this framework. This has included a survey of
Queensland public library non-users (1,102 respondents), and
surveys at seven case study public library services across
Queensland (4,926 users). Site visits and interviews were also
undertaken to help interpret these case study based findings.
The benefits of public libraries are wide ranging and
encompass the value delivered to library users directly and
indirectly including:
~~ the services and programs made available to users by
public libraries
~~ the social interaction facilitated in public libraries
~~ the sense of place and enhanced local amenity
afforded by public libraries
~~ environmental savings generated through continued
re-use of library collections
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
5
The Library Dividend
BENEFITS
COSTS
NON-USE
USE
Preserving the
option for future
use
Perceived value
and significance
to the community
Value of
preservation
for future
generations
INDIRECT
OPTION
EXISTENCE
LEGACY
The direct
benefits to library
users
The flow-on
benefits of using
library services
DIRECT
Collection – news and serials
Subscriptions
Information technology
Programs
Benefits
Financial
savings
Travel cost
method
See description
Contribution to community health
Survey of non-user willingness to pay
Contingency valuation
Survey
of user
willingness
to pay
Contingency
valuation
Measurement technique
Actual costs
Depreciation allowances
Measurement technique
Not captured
Not captured
Contribution to literacy (including digital literacy) by financial
by travel cost
savings
Complement to education institutions
method
technique
Facilitation of career development
Environmental savings
Improved local amenity
Social interaction
Collection - non print material
Provision of facilities
Access to services
Collection – print
Services and Programs
Recurrent operating costs: expenditure on library materials, staff costs and other administration costs
Recurrent capital works to library buildings
Capital and operating costs
Figure A:
Cost Benefit Assessment Framework
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
6
Economic Impact Assessment Framework
The EIA framework is relatively simple when compared
to the CBA framework. It defines the stimulus that public
libraries bring to their regional economies and traces how
this stimulus flows through to other enterprises in the
regional economy via multiple rounds of transactions.
Public libraries stimulate their regional economies through
their recurrent capital and operating expenditures, as
well as library user spending that is triggered by their
use of public library services. This information has been
gathered from the Statistical Bulletin plus the surveys of
case study library users mentioned earlier.
To trace how this stimulus flows through regional
economies, this project has:
~~ developed case study area specific econometric
models (input-output), which enable industry specific
income, value added and employment multipliers to be
generated for each library service
~~ applied these multipliers to the regional economic
stimulus provided by public library services.
By summing the operation of these multipliers, this project
has linked the total amount of economic activity, in terms of
case study area income, value added and employment, that
is linked to the public library services in question.
Survey Material
Two separate survey mechanisms were utilised during
the data collection. These surveys captured information
from both library users and non-users. The library user
survey collected information related to usage practices and
estimated economic values from those that utilise library
services. The non-user survey collected information relating
to library awareness and perceived value and benefits.
Information that was collected was used to inform both the
CBA and EIA analysis of economic value.
“The range of materials, the comfortable
surroundings and the friendliness and
helpfulness of staff.”
“I love the mix of people it attracts all
ages from all walks of life; I love that it
promotes community.”
“The quality of public libraries is an
indication of the well-being of society.”
“The library is an amazing place to
go, staff are always friendly, and the
atmosphere makes me feel at home. I can
read a book and before I know it 2 hours
have passed. I like libraries.”
“We moved from overseas with very little
and the library was fantastic, both for
resources and helping us integrate into
the community.”
“It’s really convenient and easy to use.
It’s a FANTASTIC service.”
“I live a long way out of town so it is also
a good mutual place to meet.”
“Libraries have been an important part of
both my education and my life”
“Libraries. Wouldn’t be without them!”
“Libraries act as a hub where community
members can come together not only for
social activities but to pursue personal
interests and continue on their path of
lifelong learning.”
“The library is a place where all people
can go and have access to resources and
be treated the same”
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
7
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Library User Survey
The survey of library users completed by 4,926 users across
the seven case study library services tells us:
~~ Most users visited the library regularly with 33% of
respondents using it weekly and 29% of respondents
using it fortnightly
~~ Borrowing was the predominant activity at the library.
96% of respondents borrowed books or printed
materials and 61% borrowed CDs, DVDs or video during
their visits. Importantly, a wide variety of other activities
are also carried out within the library including:
-- reading, watching or listening to library materials
~~ contributing to enjoyable and meaningful pastimes,
hobbies and interests
~~ supporting educational courses and lifelong learning
~~ fostering a sense of community belonging.
The value of public libraries to community members is also
clearly established by the household (non-user) survey, with
respondents stating they were willing to pay an average
of $32 per year to maintain community access to public
library services.
It should be noted that most people (non-users) also said
that libraries were worth more than they nominated, but this
was all they could afford to pay.
-- attend a program, event or activity
-- accessing the internet
-- using reference materials
-- making reference enquiries
-- using computers.
Seven different library services across Queensland were
investigated as part of the case study process. These library
services included:
In terms of personal experience, library services have helped
users most with supporting meaningful pastimes, hobbies
and interests, and lifelong learning. Finding information
not available elsewhere, accomplishing tasks/goals and
fostering community/ belonging also featured significantly.
~~ Brisbane City Council Library Service
From a broader community perspective, users believed
libraries make very important contributions as safe and
pleasant places to visit: and by facilitating lifelong learning;
providing internet access for everyone; and encouraging
responsible social behaviour.
~~ Mount Isa Regional Council Library Service
Library users estimated they would have had to spend an
average of $394 per year to access library services from
private businesses. This is a significant recorded saving.
Library users stated they were willing to pay an average
of $52 per year to maintain community access to library
services. Most people said that libraries were worth more
than they nominated, but this was all they could afford
to pay.
On average, $1.24 is spent by library users per trip to access
public library services in Queensland (according to travel
cost estimates). This figure accounts for multi-stop trips as
part of a visit to the library.
Queensland Household Survey
The Queensland household survey (non-users of public
libraries) received 1,102 responses.
The household survey highlights that the community
acknowledges that public libraries contribute in many ways,
such as:
~~ supporting children’s education and early development
~~ helping people obtain information not available elsewhere
8
Case Study Findings
The Library Dividend
~~ Sunshine Coast Regional Council Library Service
~~ Mackay Regional Council Library Service
~~ Fraser Coast Regional Council Library Service
~~ Goondiwindi Regional Council Library Service
~~ Paroo Shire Council Library Service.
The aim of this process was to develop baseline profiles of
the different types of regions across Queensland.
Interviews with managers of the case study library services
reiterated much of what was established through the user
and household (non-user) surveys. They also showed
how different library services contribute differently to their
respective communities, reflecting the importance of
context. Figure B provides a summary of findings including:
~~ some standout messages attributable to each
case study
~~ how the estimated value of benefits compares with
library service delivery costs (via the benefit cost ratio
(BCR)) under each of the three benefit estimation
methods utilised
~~ the total amount of regional economic income, value
added and employment that is attributable to library
services in their respective catchments (i.e. local
government areas).
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
9
Notes: BCR means Benefit Cost Ratio
~~ Libraries play an increasingly strong role in the community in times of crisis. Need to
attract more users and promote the library more within the Council.
Paroo Shire Council Library Service
~~ Providing innovative approaches to programming.
~~ Better utilisation of technology would improve efficiency.
~~ Delivery service ensures that the whole community has access to library resources.
Goondiwindi Regional Council Library Service
~~ Programs and services cater to many socially isolated community members.
~~ Key entry point into the town catering for a high level of transient workers and
families.
Mount Isa Regional Council Library Service
~~ Co-location opportunities with multiple community facilities may enhance service
delivery outcomes.
Fraser Coast Regional Council Library Service
~~ Impacts of the resource industry are mitigated through innovative approaches to
membership and programming.
Mackay Regional Council Library Service
~~ Focus is on providing education and training opportunities for adults. Contributing
to increasing the employment capacity of the community while also delivering other
library services.
Sunshine Coast Regional Council Library Service
~~ Embracing emerging technologies and changing community expectations, while
building on the strengths of a local and community-focused service.
Brisbane City Council Library Service
Standout Message
Figure B:
Case Study Synopsis
$0.2
$0.3
$0.7
$0.7
BCR =
2.79
$2.6
BCR =
4.59
$6.4
BCR =
9.27
$15.5
BCR = 5.7
$2.7
$0.3
BCR =
1.27
$0.7
BCR =
1.23
$0.1
BCR =
0.39
$0.5
BCR =
0.91
$1.5
$1.1
BCR = 2.13 BCR =
1.67
$3.3
BCR =
1.22
$4.4
BCR = 1.18
$9.5
BCR =
2.54
$20.4
BCR =
5.44
$3.7
$6.1
BCR =
2.24
$11
BCR = 0.74
$33.4
BCR =
2.26
$49.7
BCR =
3.35
$14.7
Contingent
Valuation
$55.5
BCR = 1.11
Travel Cost
Method
$256.7
$103.6
BCR = 5.13 BCR =
2.07
Financial
Savings
Annual Benefit ($ million)
$49.6
Annual Cost
($ million)
$0.3
$1.0
$1.5
$5.9
$8.4
$31.1
$165.4
$0.1
$0.5
$0.3
$3.1
$4.1
$17.1
$75.5
6 jobs
7 jobs
13 jobs
41 jobs
59 jobs
182 jobs
772 jobs
Annual Economic Activity supported
in Regional Economy
Income ($ Value Added Employment
million)
($ million)
(EFT)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Some of the common issues highlighted by the case study
libraries include:
~~ the insufficiency of funding to cope with the changing
and diverse needs of each community
~~ managing rising community expectations
~~ the need to keep abreast of changing technologies
and to train staff to use and actively engage with
these technologies
~~ ensuring the attraction and retention of qualified staff
~~ promotion of each library service is needed to ensure
the community is aware of the extent of services offered
by the library.
From a future advocacy perspective, the case study
interviews suggest significant value in:
~~ library service being well recognised across council
~~ library managers keeping abreast of the broader
council agenda
~~ library managers promoting the broader value and
services delivered through libraries by educating
councils, councillors and other funding sources
~~ library managers recognising and pursuing alternative
revenue opportunities
~~ ensuring that advocacy materials are written in lay terms
but are backed by the rigour that is expected in formal
business cases
~~ ensuring funding and operating decisions are informed
by international best practice and contemporary
thinking, disconnecting future debate from the
assumptions of the past
~~ maximising the visibility and promotion of libraries
through highly accessible locations, distinctive building
structures and co-location of libraries with other
community services, i.e. in a community hub or as a
one-stop community service location.
Queensland Findings
Cost Benefit Assessment
~~ the state-wide non-user survey results, i.e. the
non- user willingness to pay, were applied across all
Queensland households.
From this assessment, it is estimated that Queensland
public libraries contribute at least $207 million and up to
$849 million, to community welfare each year depending
on the benefit quantification method adopted. The financial
savings method generated the greatest estimate of benefit.
This meets with expectations, as the travel cost method
fails to include all elements of consumers surplus, and
the contingent valuation method may well be constrained
by respondent capacity to pay (i.e. income). As no
quantification method is clearly superior to the others, an
average estimate of $478 million is considered a sound and
conservative estimate of annual benefit.
Importantly, when considered in relation to the annual
provisioning costs of $207 million, the benefit cost ratio
ranges from 1.0 up to 4.1. Put another way, for each dollar
expended on Queensland public libraries, Queenslanders
stand to benefit potentially up to four times that amount.
An average benefit cost ratio of 2.3 is considered
suitable for communication purposes.
Comparative analysis of these results with earlier studies
commissioned elsewhere, including Dollars, Sense and
Public Libraries (State Library of Victoria, 2009), The Value
of Public libraries in NSW (Liddle, 2008) and Measuring the
Economic Impact of the British Library (Pung et al, 2004),
indicate that the results generated fall within a reasonable
range. In particular, the results generated using the financial
savings approach is highly consistent with other studies.
Economic Impact Assessment
If the economic stimuli associated with Queensland
public libraries (i.e. own expenditure plus triggered user
expenditure) are traced throughout the Queensland
economy, it is estimated that the following level of economic
activity is supported each year:
The case study results were scaled to a Queensland level
to enable an annual net dollar benefit for the Queensland
community to be generated. To do this:
~~ $614 million in Queensland income
~~ the recurrent costs of all public library services were
sourced from existing publications
~~ 3,135 full-time equivalent Queensland jobs.
~~ these publications were used to assess use types
and frequencies by key facility/program type for each
library service
10
~~ the dollar value estimates generated by the contingency
valuation, financial savings and travel cost methods,
measured in the case study user surveys, were applied
to broader user numbers of libraries bearing similar
characteristics to the chosen case study libraries
The Library Dividend
~~ $295 million in Queensland value added (or Gross
State Product)
Summary
Recommendations
As evidenced by consultation with library service managers
and council representatives, library stakeholders are
well equipped to qualitatively articulate the community
contributions and benefits made by Queensland public
libraries. However, when it comes to quantifying these
benefits, little information has existed to date within the
Queensland context. The study undertaken by State Library
of Victoria provided a proven method of quantifying these
benefits, which was applied to the Queensland context in
this project.
Given the findings outlined above, the following
recommendations are provided.
This project reiterated findings from the Victorian study,
which found that like Victorian libraries, Queensland public
libraries contribute significantly to community welfare.
Indeed, the benefits contributed by public libraries
outweigh their provisioning costs by a factor of 2.3.
This represents a sound return on community investment
and provides a compelling case for continued investment.
Importantly, these numbers have been generated using
conventions and disciplines that align with the requirements
of Commonwealth and State Treasury guidelines for
conducting cost benefit assessments. Moreover, the data
used to populate the CBA framework were derived from
representative market samples. Therefore the results are
both robust and defendable. Indeed the results may well
be somewhat conservative, as the benefit measurement
techniques used are unlikely to fully capture the value of the
‘online’ presence of public libraries.
This study has also found that the economic activity induced
by Queensland public libraries in Queensland is significant
after accounting for all of the multiple rounds of transactions
induced by library related expenditures. In short, public
libraries contribute approximately $295 million to
Queensland Gross State Product and support 3,135
full time equivalent jobs each year.
The market research undertaken as part of this project
has found that Queenslanders, be they users or
non-users of public library services, appreciate the
contributions made by public libraries, with users
obviously better acquainted with the diversity of potential
library benefits. In line with this, Queenslanders are
generally satisfied with Queensland public library services
and their suggestions for improvement relate primarily to
the expansion of existing services including the collection,
internet access, technology integration and opening hours.
~~ This report should be distributed widely to
Queenslanders both in a way that can be
comprehended by lay people, and in a manner suitable
for the consumption of funding decision-makers at all
levels of government and private enterprises, including
digital access
~~ Each library service across Queensland should be
equipped with the results and instructed on how to
use these results to estimate their own contributions to
community welfare
~~ When communicating the findings of this report, the
contributions that align with Commonwealth and
Queensland policy objectives should be highlighted. This
includes the contributions of public libraries to:
-- community literacy and numeracy
-- digital literacy
-- children, youth and young adult learning
-- self-organised and lifelong learning
-- recreational objectives of members of communities
~~ This report should be reviewed frequently and
consistently to ensure the economic value of
Queensland public library services are estimated
accurately. This process should include ongoing training
and support to library staff at both the State and local
level to ensure that advocacy efforts can be sustained in
the long term
~~ Focus should be maintained on ensuring that remote
library services receive adequate funding and support
to continue delivering services. This includes particular
support for ‘non recorded’ service aspects such as
personalised deliveries to residents and other actions
that staff undertake that are ‘above and beyond’
standard service lines. These actions by staff generate
increased appreciation and value of library services
within communities, particularly for those disadvantaged
members of the Queensland community.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
11
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Project Context
State Library of Queensland commissioned this study to
assess the community welfare contributions of the state’s
public library network and the economic impact these
libraries have on their host regional economies.
Public library services are delivered by local government;
however the State Government provides significant funding
support to 69 local governments for their public library
system. The State Library contributes approximately $21
million per year in funding and services to support 341
public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres across
the state. These library services are spread across the state
both geographically and across diverse community needs.
It is important that an understanding is developed with
respect to the overall value of the support that the State
Library provides to these regions, i.e. in terms of tangible,
community and economic benefits.
Research into the socio-economic value of libraries in
Queensland has stemmed from the release of Expanding
Horizons: Positioning Queensland Public Libraries for the
Future 2008-2012, the State Library’s vision statement for
public libraries. This document is currently in a review stage;
however, the strategic themes are still relevant.
In 2010-11, Queensland’s per capita funding of $41.391 is
below that of South Australia ($56.27), Western Australia
($43.57), and New South Wales ($43.56). Over the five-year
period 2006-2011, Queensland’s 11.6% growth in per capita
library expenditure has been well below the national average
of 17.00%.
Numerous studies from Australian and international
jurisdictions have been undertaken seeking to place a value
on public library services. This includes studies in New
South Wales, Indiana, Ohio, Washington, Wisconsin and
Britain. Recently, State Library of Victoria invested in a statewide analysis of the economic benefits of public libraries,
culminating in the publication of Dollars, Sense and Public
Libraries - A landmark study of the socio-economic value of
Victorian Public Libraries.
The Victorian study has been used as a blueprint for the
Queensland study as it provides a number of specific
advantages including:
~~ existing, successful methodology
~~ key learnings to be leveraged
~~ consistency across states, thus building a national
approach to valuing public libraries across the country.
Libraries provide the communities in which they are located
with varying social and economic benefits. It is important
that these benefits are considered when strategic planning
and budget allocation decisions are made in Queensland.
1
This is the total of both Local Government and State Government
contributions together.
12
The Library Dividend
1.2
Project Objectives
The purpose of this project was to provide evidence-based
material that can be used for advocating for greater public
library funding in Queensland.
The overall aims for this project were to:
~~ expand the understanding of the value of public
libraries to the communities that they serve
~~ prove that public libraries contribute economic benefit
to the community
~~ provide public library managers with tools for assessing
the value of specific library services
~~ equip public library managers with advocacy materials
to ensure future funding decisions are best advocated.
In achieving these aims, the project has striven to deliver on
the following initial objectives:
~~ Identify ways that public libraries contribute to
economic, social/cultural and environmental wellbeing
using a combination of valuation methodologies
including economic benefit (cost benefit analysis/RIO/
SROI), economic value (contingent valuation method),
economic activity (multiplier/economic impact)
~~ Identify further actions Queensland public libraries could
take to enhance their role in economic development and
business growth
~~ Use best practice data collection and analysis methods
to measure, in a systematic and objective manner, the
value of these contributions, compared with the cost of
providing the service. Values should include direct and
indirect, tangible and intangible impacts as well as use
and non-use values
~~ Report on public libraries overall, as well as on a number
of specific programs and library services
~~ Establish a replicable and scalable process for
measuring economic contribution for some library
services. Measures of some specific services should be
replicable at the national level
~~ Identify perceptions about libraries that are out-dated
and provide evidence to counter them
~~ Develop a Library Value Calculator – a simple
spreadsheet tool that provides a simplified cost benefit
analysis for library services
~~ Provide a reader-friendly report with useful summaries of
information that can be readily adopted in advocacy
~~ Provide public libraries and councils with evidence that
will assist in the planning, development and support of
public library services.
1.3
Project Methodology
1.3.1Considerations
The net value of public libraries is most commonly assessed
using cost benefit analysis (CBA). CBA is the preferred
tool of Australian governments for assessing whether a
proposed investment is worthwhile, or an earlier investment
has been worthwhile, taking into account economic, social
and environmental considerations.
Economic contributions of public libraries are measured
using simulated input-output models for regional economies
which trace the direct and indirect impacts of library
expenditures on the income, value-added (i.e. the value of
the outputs created less the purchase of raw materials to
produce them) and full-time employment generated in these
local/regional economies.
Understanding the distinct role of both these measurement
frameworks is important. A CBA framework assesses the
additional society-wide benefits generated by investing in a
particular project, in this case, investing in public libraries.
On the contrary, the economic impact assessment (EIA)
framework traces the economic activity (income, valueadded and employment) generated by investments made
by public libraries, by way of operating costs, staff salaries
and ongoing maintenance expenditures. Unlike CBA, an EIA
does not assess the merit of investment.
1.3.2Phasing
The approach adopted by the consulting team is broken
down into five phases (Figure 1). The first of these was
Project Inception, the aim of which was to gather, discuss
and understand the implications of earlier work in this arena.
The second phase was Framework Design. In this phase,
the consulting team developed a rigorous framework for
scoping, measuring and assessing:
1. The net contribution public libraries make to community
welfare. This contribution is measured via a cost
benefit assessment framework, which contrasts the
economic and social costs and benefits associated with
public library services over a long-term evaluation period
2. The economic activity induced in the regional economy
by public library operations. This activity is measured by
an economic impact assessment framework, which
identifies the stimuli that public libraries introduce into
regional economies through their expenditure profiles,
and traces how these stimuli culminate in economic
activity in buyer and supplier industries through
successive rounds of economic transactions.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
13
1
Figure 1:
Figure
1
Socio-Economic
Value of Public Libraries in Queensland - Project Stages
Socio-Economic Value of Public Libraries in Queensland - Project Stages
Introduction
Phase 1:
Phase 2:
Phase 3:
PROJECT INCEPTION
RESEARCH AND
FRAMEWORK DESIGN
DATA COLLECTION
Inception meeting
Review public libraries’ data
Fieldwork
Reviewing existing reports &
data sets
Case study selection
Analysis of results
Finalise work program
Finalise economic analysis
framework
Design fieldwork program
Design confirmation
Phase 5:
Phase 4:
LIBRARY VALUE
CALCULATOR
REPORTING
CBA/EIA calculator
Cost benefit assessment
Presentation of CBA/EIA
calculator
Economic impact assessment
Recommendations
Draft Report
Presentation on Draft Report
Final Report
The third phase, Data Collection, included the collection of
data necessary for populating the Frameworks developed in
Phase 2. Data collection included:
~~ gathering published statistical material
~~ site visits and interviews at seven case study
library services
~~ a survey of library users at each of these seven case
study locations
~~ a telephone survey of Queensland households
(non- users of Queensland public library services).
The Reporting of the analysis and insights gained from
data collection formed Phase 4. This technical report
encompasses the outcomes of Phase 4, as it details the key
findings of the CBA and EIA, as well as other key findings.
It also makes recommendations for better advocating
for public libraries in Queensland and how Phase 5
should progress.
14
The Library Dividend
Phase 5 falls outside the scope of this technical report. It
involves the following:
~~ The development of a library value calculator, i.e. a
simple spreadsheet tool that provides a simplified CBA
and EIA for each library service across Queensland,
based on the results gathered in earlier stages,
as well as a qualitative content resource for library
specific application
~~ Presentation of the key findings of the project and how
they can be used by specific library services.
1.4
Structure of this Report
The remainder of this report is structured as follows:
Section 2Profiles public library services in
Queensland, outlining the scope and
form of their operations. Much of the
data in this section is sourced from the
State Library of Queensland Statistical
Bulletin databases.
Section 3Summarises relevant findings of previous
studies in regard to the costs, benefits
and economic impacts of public libraries;
the aim being to develop an exhaustive
list of community welfare contributions
and a framework for navigating these.
Section 4Outlines the techniques previously
used to quantify and monetise
the contributions made by public
libraries, as well as the results that
have been generated using these
techniques elsewhere.
Section 6Commences the summary of results of
the data collection phase. It includes a
summary of the survey of Queensland
households, as well as a distillation of the
library user survey across the case study
library services. Detailed presentation
of survey results has been provided in
the appendices.
Section 7Takes a more focussed approach and
uses the content of the aforementioned
surveys, along with the case study
site visits and interviews, to present a
summary of CBA, EIA and other findings
for the seven library services studied.
Section 8Provides final conclusions plus
recommendations for better advocating
public libraries in Queensland, as well as
for the progression of Phase 5.
Section 5Presents the refined CBA and EIA
frameworks that were utilised in this
project, listing the triple bottom line
costs and benefits identified, as well as
the economic impact stimuli isolated
for public libraries in Queensland. The
preferred measurement techniques and
their input data techniques are identified,
and these requirements are linked with
specific data gathering techniques
utilised in Phase 3.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
15
2
PUBLIC LIBRARY
SNAPSHOT
In Queensland, public
libraries are a local
government responsibility,
although they receive
funding support from the
Queensland Government.
Consistent with this
responsibility, State
Government grants to
public libraries account
for only a relatively small
proportion (approximately
12%) of each local
government’s total library
operating budget.
State Library of Queensland classifies and funds libraries
services in Queensland according to two general categories:
1. Public Library Services
Independent libraries are funded and fully operated by
local councils. They receive a cash grant from the Public
Library Grant scheme according to a differential needsbased weighting, of which at least 70% of the funding
provided to each local government is tied to the purchase
of ‘materials’ to support vibrant library collections, including
evolving digital formats. Thirty-one local councils operate
252 Independent libraries (includes 17 mobile library services
visiting 502 stops and 19 service points open less than six
hours per week).
Rural Libraries Queensland (RLQ) are libraries in rural
and remote communities servicing local government
populations below 15,000. RLQ libraries receive shelfready library materials, regularly exchanged, purchased
with pooled funds from the Public Library Grant scheme,
providing improved purchasing power, collection reach and
economies of scale. The local council provides staffing,
physical infrastructure, and access to a library management
system. Twenty-eight local councils operating 68 RLQ
libraries (includes five service points open less than six hours
per week).
2. Indigenous Library Services
Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) are communal
hubs operated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island
Councils that combine traditional library services, internet
access with lifelong learning opportunities and provide a
keeping place for recording, accessing and celebrating the
two unique Indigenous cultures of Queensland. The State
Library provides resources, staff training, programs, a library
management system and a contribution to wages for IKC
staff, while the local councils provide staff and physical
infrastructure. Across Queensland, 10 local councils operate
21 Indigenous Knowledge Centres.
This report examines the first of these categories, Public
Library Services, which comprise of Independent and
RLQ libraries. It excludes Indigenous Knowledge Centres
because of their unique nature, geographical isolation and
limited access for the general public.
16
The Library Dividend
2.1
Library Services and Facilities
2.2Collection
A total of 320 public library service points are provided in
Queensland, spanning over approximately 142,000 square
metres of total floor space. In these public libraries there are
2,374 computer terminals provided for users, with about
87% of these having internet access (Figure 2
Library Facilities).
Figure 2
Library Facilities
The library collection across Queensland is quite diverse
with 7,905,707 items across all stock types. There are,
on average, 1.71 printed lending stock items per capita in
Queensland public library collections. In terms of usage,
about 9.18 items are loaned per capita each year.
Figure 4
Collection
Stock Type
Public Library service points (1) (#)
Floor space (sqm)
Number
320
141,839
PC terminals (#)
2,374
Internet access PC terminals (#)
2,063
Source: SLQ Statistical Bulletin 2010-2011
1.Total service points (320) comprises 252 Independent libraries
and 68 Rural Libraries Queensland libraries. Excludes Indigenous
Knowledge Centres.
Public libraries in Queensland are staffed by approximately
1,420 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. There are
approximately 1,700 volunteers that contribute to public
libraries across Queensland (Figure 3
Human Resourcing).
Figure 3
Human Resourcing
Staff FTE
Volunteers
Source: SLQ Statistical Bulletin 2010-2011
Number
1,420.12
1,701
Total
Lending stock
7,569,919
Serial titles
18,914
Newspaper titles
690
Reference (non-lending) stock
204,888
Other non-lending stock
77,330
Electronic Database
384
ebooks
33,582
Total Stock
7,905,707
Source: SLQ Statistical Bulletin 2010-2011
Electronic databases, primarily for reference material or
ebooks, are available through all of Queensland public
libraries. These databases include, among others,
TumbleBooks, Newsbank and Australia/New Zealand
Reference Centre.
2.3
Overall Usage
Over 20 million visits to Queensland public libraries were
made in 2010-2011 equating to 4.7 visits per capita on
average in Queensland (Figure 5
Usage Patterns). Approximately 44.9% of Queensland
residents are members of a public library, and attributing the
visits entirely to members results in an average of around 10
visits per year.
Figure 5
Usage Patterns
Per capita
Total
Visits p.a.
4.70
20,765,834
Membership (number)
0.45
1,984,545
Source: SLQ Statistical Bulletin 2010-2011
Note: Total numbers are rounded
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
17
2
2.4Programs
Public Library Snapshot
Programs held in public libraries attracted a total of approximately 631,894 participants in 2010-2011 (Figure 6). The majority
of programs were held for children. On average, one in every three library members in Queensland participated in a
library program.
Figure 6
Programs Conducted and Program Participants
Total annual
Programs delivered
Total annual
Total annual hours
number of programs in collaboration number of attendees of programming
and events
with community
and government
organisations
Number
Number
Number
Hours
5,086
151
22,395
5,844
16,834
245
475,703
19,753
Young Adult Literacy Programs
(not included in L.2, targeted at
age group 13 to 18)
1,094
52
16,697
2,112
Adult Literacy Programs
(including programs for beginning adult
readers and lifelong learning)
4,027
434
66,559
6,508
354
52
7,259
443
2,840
271
43,281
3,278
30,235
1,205
631,894
37,938
Digital Literacy Programs
(including technology, computer,
Web 2.0 and Internet programs)
Early and Family Literacy Programs
(including reading programs, school
holiday programs, story-time sessions)
Multicultural Awareness
Programs (including Harmony Day,
Multicultural Festivals)
Other Public Events and
Learning Programs
TOTAL
Source: SLQ 2011
18
The Library Dividend
2.5
Income Sources
2.7
Queensland public libraries had an income of almost $194
million in the 2010-2011 financial year. The majority of
this income was provided by councils, with less coming
from State Government sources. On a per capita basis,
around $39.03 in income for Queensland public libraries
was contributed by local governments and approximately
$4.00 per capita was provided by State Government grant
funding (Figure 7 Income Sources of Public Libraries).
Figure 7
Income Sources of Public Libraries
Total
Income
per Capita
$172,294,896
$39.03
$17,167,879
$3.89
$928,841
$0.21
$3,365,464
$0.76
$193,971,589
$43.94
Income/ contribution
from councils
State Govt Grants
Other Grants
Revenue
Total Income
Source: SLQ Statistical Bulletin 2010-2011
Note: Categories may not equal total due to rounding
2.6Expenditure
Public libraries spent over $203 million in 2010-2011,
equating to $46.20 of expenditure per capita. The majority of
this spending was allocated to staff salaries and operational
costs (75.4%), with library materials expenditure making up
the next largest component (14.7%) (Figure 8).
Trends in Library Usage and Provisions
Overall there have been significant increases in all key
indicators of public libraries since 1969 when statistics
were first collected. These trends have been collected and
examined for income, expenditure, grants, membership,
loans and stock indicators.
Both total operating expenditures and State Government
grants have increased significantly since 1969, reflecting
population and economic growth. However, over this period,
total operating expenditure has increased at a rate that
greatly exceeds that of State Government grants (Figure 10).
Local government contributions have increased significantly,
and State Government grants have also increased since
1969 (Figure 9).
Total membership of Queensland public libraries has
increased consistently since 1969, with only a few years
having a decline in total membership. The proportion
of the population that are members of a public library
has also increased, however this has levelled out since
1995 (Figure 11).
Loans per capita have, on the whole, increased significantly
since 1969. Trends indicate however that there has been
a steady decrease in loans per capita since 2001/02. In
2001/02 there was an average of 11.03 loans per capita
made from Queensland public libraries. This declined to
9.68 loans per capita in 2009/10 (Figure 12).
Total stock in Queensland public has increased significantly
since 1969. Stock per capita of population has also
increased over this period, however due to the significant
population increase since 2004, and the increase of
electronic materials, the physical stock per capita has
decreased since this time (Figure 13).
It should be noted that expenditure includes ‘depreciation’.
Depreciation is a provision made to account for a reduction
in the value of assets (general wear and tear) over time, for
instance, library materials such as books and computers.
Figure 8
Components of Expenditure for Public Libraries
Library materials
expenditure
Total
Expenditure
per Capita
$29,967,530
$6.79
$20,117,191
$4.56
Staff salary and
operating costs
$153,862,297
$34.85
Total Expenditure
$203,947,018
$46.20
Capital Works
Source: SLQ Statistical Bulletin 2010-11
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
19
Source: SLQ Statistical Bulletin Database
YEAR
60
60
30
40
30
20
30
20
10
20
10
FigureSLQ
11
Source:
Figure 11 Statistical Bulletin Database
Membership
Membership
Figure11
11
Figure
2,250,000
Membership
Membership
2,250,000
Total Membership
Total Membership
2,000,000
2,000,000
% of population enrolled
2,250,000
% of population enrolled
1,750,000
Total Membership
1,750,000
2,000,000
1,500,000
% of population enrolled
1,500,000
1,750,000
1,250,000
1,250,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
1,250,000
750,000
750,000
1,000,000
500,000
500,000
750,000
250,000
250,000
500,000
0
0
250,000
50
60
50
Proportion
Proportion
Proportion
of Population
ofofPopulation
Population
(%) (%)
(%)
0.0
10
0.0
2009/10
2009/10
2009/10
2008/09
2008/09
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1971/72
1971/72
1971/72
1970/71
1970/71
1970/71
1969/70
1969/70
1969/70
YEAR
0.0
0
2009/10
2009/10
2009/10
2008/09
2008/09
2008/09
2007/08
2007/08
2007/08
2006/07
2006/07
2006/07
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1989/90
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1970/71
1969/70
1969/70
1969/70
0
Expenditure
Expenditure
Expenditure
($) ($)($)
2009/10
2009/10
2009/10
2008/09
2008/09
2008/09
2007/08
2007/08
2007/08
2006/07
2006/07
2006/07
2005/06
2005/06
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2001/02
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1975/76
1975/76
1975/76
1974/75
1974/75
1974/75
1973/74
1973/74
1973/74
1972/73
1972/73
1972/73
1971/72
1971/72
1971/72
1970/71
1970/71
1970/71
1969/70
1969/70
1969/70
Expenditure
Expenditure
Expenditure
($) ($)($)
Income:
Local Government v State Government 1969-2010
160,000
160,000
Local Government
Local Government
140,000
140,000
State Government Grant
160,000
State Government Grant
120,000
Local
Government
120,000
140,000
100,000
State Government Grant
100,000
120,000
80,000
80,000
100,000
60,000
60,000
80,000
40,000
40,000
60,000
20,000
20,000
40,000
0
0
20,000
Public Library Snapshot
0
40
50
40
Membership
Membership
Membership
Figure 9
Figure 9
2
The Library Dividend
20
Income:
Figure
9 Local Government v State Government 1969-2010
Income: Local Government v State Government 1969-2010
Income:
Local Government v State Government 1969‑2010
Figure 9
YEAR
YEAR
Source: SLQ Statistical Bulletin Database
YEAR
Figure 10
Figure 10
Expenditure
and
Grants,
Total
Operating
Expenditure
v
State
Government
1969-2010
Figure
10 and Grants, Total Operating Expenditure v State Government Grants,
Expenditure
Grants, 1969-2010
Expenditure
and
Grants,
Total
Operating
Expenditure
v
State
Government
Grants,
1969-2010
Figure 10
Expenditure
and
Grants,
Total
Operating
Expenditure
v
State
Government
Grants,
1969-2010
160,000
160,000
Total Operating Expenditure
Total Operating Expenditure
140,000
140,000
State Government Grant
160,000
State
Government
Grant
120,000
Total Operating
Expenditure
120,000
140,000
100,000
State Government Grant
100,000
120,000
80,000
80,000
100,000
60,000
60,000
80,000
40,000
40,000
60,000
20,000
20,000
40,000
0
0
20,000
YEAR
YEAR
YEAR
YEAR
Stock
Source: SLQ Statistical Bulletin Database
Figure 13
Public Library Stock Per Capita
Figure
Figure 13
13
Public Library Stock Per Capita
2.0
2.0
10,000,000
10,000,000
9,000,000
9,000,000
8,000,000
YEAR
YEAR
2009/10
2009/10
2008/09
2008/09
2007/08
2007/08
2006/07
2006/07
2005/06
2005/06
2004/05
2004/05
2003/04
2003/04
2002/03
2002/03
2001/02
2001/02
2000/01
2000/01
1999/00
1999/00
1998/99
1998/99
1997/98
1997/98
1996/97
1996/97
1995/96
1995/96
1994/95
1994/95
1993/94
1993/94
1992/93
1992/93
1991/92
1991/92
1990/91
1990/91
1989/90
1989/90
1988/89
1988/89
1987/88
1987/88
1986/87
1986/87
1985/86
1985/86
1984/85
1984/85
1983/84
1983/84
1982/83
1982/83
1981/82
1981/82
1980/81
1980/81
1979/80
1979/80
1978/79
1978/79
1977/78
1977/78
1976/77
1976/77
1975/76
1975/76
1974/75
1974/75
1973/74
1973/74
1972/73
1972/73
1971/72
1971/72
1970/71
1970/71
1969/70
1969/70
5,000,0000
0
Loans
perper
Capita
Loans
Capita
15,000,000
10,000,000
10,000,000
5,000,000
1.5
1.5
1.0
1.0
4,000,000
3,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
0.5
0.5
2,000,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
0.0
0.0
YEAR
YEAR
2009/10
2009/10
2008/09
2008/09
2007/08
2007/08
2006/07
2006/07
2005/06
2005/06
2004/05
2004/05
2003/04
2003/04
2002/03
2002/03
2001/02
2001/02
2000/01
2000/01
1999/00
1999/00
1998/99
1998/99
1997/98
1997/98
1996/97
1996/97
1995/96
1995/96
1994/95
1994/95
1993/94
1993/94
1992/93
1992/93
1991/92
1991/92
1990/91
1990/91
1989/90
1989/90
1988/89
1988/89
1987/88
1987/88
1986/87
1986/87
1985/86
1985/86
1984/85
1984/85
1983/84
1983/84
1982/83
1982/83
1981/82
1981/82
1980/81
1980/81
1979/80
1979/80
1978/79
1978/79
1977/78
1977/78
1976/77
1976/77
1975/76
1975/76
1974/75
1974/75
1973/74
1973/74
1972/73
1972/73
1971/72
1971/72
1970/71
1970/71
1969/70
1969/70
6,000,000
5,000,000
5,000,000
4,000,000
Stock
perper
Capita
Stock
Capita
25,000,000
20,000,000
20,000,000
15,000,000
Total
Loans
Total
Loans
35,000,000
30,000,000
30,000,000
25,000,000
Loans per Capita
12.0
12.0
10.0
10.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
4.0
4.0
2.0
2.0
0.0
0.0
Total Loans
Total
LoansLoans
per Capita
45,000,000
45,000,000
40,000,000
40,000,000
35,000,000
Total Stock
Total
StockStock
Per Capita
Stock Per Capita
8,000,000
7,000,000
7,000,000
6,000,000
Total
Stock
Total
Stock
Figure 12
Figure
12
Loans 12
Figure
Loans
Loans
Source: SLQ Statistical Bulletin Database
21
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
3
PUBLIC LIBRARY
COMMUNITY
WELFARE
CONTRIBUTIONS
This section summarises
relevant findings in previous
studies with respect to the
identified costs, benefits
and economic impacts
of public libraries; the
aim being to develop a
list of community welfare
contributions and,
subsequently, a framework
for navigating these.
3.1
Value of Public Libraries
Numerous studies have been undertaken seeking to place
a value on public library services. This includes studies
in Victoria, New South Wales, Wisconsin, Indiana and
Washington. These studies use a number of techniques to
derive value. Unfortunately, different conceptual frameworks
are utilised and the terminology used is inconsistent, making
it difficult to compare the studies on a cross-sectional basis.
Our assessment of these studies, combined with insights
drawn from other studies valuing cultural, recreational and
environmental goods, is encapsulated in Figure 14. That is,
the total value of public libraries encompasses the direct and
indirect benefits derived by users, as well as the benefits
derived by the wider community, i.e. non-users.
Figure 14
Benefits enjoyed by Library Users and Non-Users
TYPES OF BENEFITS
LIBRARY
USERS
DIRECT
The direct benefits to library
service users
INDIRECT
The flow-on benefits as a result
of library service usage
LIBRARY
OPTION
NON USERS
Preserving the option for future
library service use
EXISTENCE
Perceived community value and
significance of library services
LEGACY
Value of preservation of library
services for future generations
The net value of public libraries is most commonly assessed
using cost benefit analysis (CBA). CBA is the preferred
tool of Australian governments for assessing whether a
proposed investment is worthwhile, or an earlier investment
has been worthwhile, taking into account economic, social
and environmental considerations.
The strengths of CBA lie in its attempt to quantify and
monetise, wherever possible, relevant costs and benefits.
It then contrasts monetised costs and benefits over the
life of the investment using discounted cash flow analysis,
to ensure that future costs and benefits are directly
comparable in today’s dollar terms.
While previous studies identify the gamut of economic,
social and environmental costs and benefits attached to
public libraries, most tend to focus only on quantifying (in
dollar terms) the direct economic benefit enjoyed by library
users. Though the broader benefits are acknowledged in
some cases, these are considered to be ‘intangibles’ and
are rarely quantified.
22
The Library Dividend
3.2Costs and Benefits of Public Library Services
Previous studies have identified an array of legitimate costs and benefits that are conferred by public libraries. These are
summarised in Figure 15 and are discussed separately.
Figure 15
Identified Costs and Benefits of Public Library Services
IDENTIFIED
costs
Recurrent capital works: Capital works to library buildings.
Recurrent operating costs: Expenditure on library materials, staff salaries and other administrative costs.
IDENTIFIED Benefits
Type of
BENEFITS
USE
DIRECT
The direct benefits to Access to services
library service users
Social interaction
INDIRECT
The flow-on benefits
of using library
services
Increased local amenity
Environmental savings
Contribution to literacy (including digital literacy)
Complement to education institutions
Facilitation of career development
Contribution to community health
NON-USE
OPTION
EXISTENCE
LEGACY
Preserving the
option for future use
Value of preservation
for future generations
3.2.1Costs
Recurrent Capital and Operating Costs
The delivery costs associated with library services are their
recurrent capital and operating costs.
Recurrent capital costs include ongoing capital works
to library buildings, acknowledging that building works
sunk in previous years cannot be recaptured and are,
therefore, excluded.
Recurrent operating costs include expenditure on library
materials, staff salaries and other administrative costs.
3.2.2
See description
Direct User Benefits
Access to Services and Programs
The services and programs provided by public libraries are
widely acknowledged as the key benefit to users.
“Support educational courses and lifelong learning”
(SLV 2009, p. 61)
The Urban Libraries Council (2007), which serves 180 public
libraries across North America, identifies this as a traditional
service benefit to all library users.
“Public Libraries provide direct service benefits to
individuals. These include cost savings of public access
resources over market costs of goods and services, as
well as the self-identified benefits of getting information or
access to technology” (Urban Libraries Council 2007, p. 5)
The Libraries Building Communities reports (SLV et al.
2005 Report Two: Logging the Benefits, p. 6) highlight this,
surmising that this is a particular benefit to those who could
not otherwise afford these services.
“...public libraries provide knowledge and information to
those in the community who otherwise could not afford to
pay retail prices for books and internet access”.
Victorian library users highlighted the significant degree to
which services and programs delivered through public local
libraries benefit the community. The State Library of Victoria
study Dollars, Sense and Public Libraries (2009) indicated
that library programs and core services:
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
23
3
Social Interaction
3.2.3
Public Library Community Welfare Contributions
Public libraries are commonly viewed as neighbourhood and
community hubs, where people can meet, and exchange
ideas and information. The Dollars, Sense and Public
Libraries report survey found that social interaction and
community spaces were highly valued.
Increased Local Amenity
Strongest emphasis was placed on the importance of
libraries as safe and pleasant places to visit (87% of
survey respondents) and as places that facilitate lifelong
learning and community interaction. (SLV 2009, p. 56)
The Libraries Building Communities survey found that both
users and non-users valued libraries as good places that
facilitate social interaction.
“75% of users and 72% of non-users agreed or strongly
agreed that the library is a good place for community
interaction” (SLV et al. 2005 Report Two: Logging the
Benefits, p. 28).
A study undertaken on The Economic Contribution of
Wisconsin Public Libraries found that the majority of focus
group participants value their public libraries as communitygathering places.
“Many interviewees place a great deal of importance on
the value of a comfortable public library facility where
they can gather, especially as opportunities for social
interaction have decreased in the wake of more people
seeking out services online” (North Star Economics,
2008, p. 54).
A study on the Economic Impact of Libraries in Indiana
found that the benefit of social interaction generated by
libraries should not be underestimated.
“Libraries contribute to the social fabric of a community by
promoting the types of interactions and social integration
that builds trust, cooperation, shared values and civic
participation. In short, libraries build ‘social capital.’
Communities with high social capital tend to have lower
crime rates, better health, better educational achievement
and greater economic success. As one researcher put
it members of these communities are more likely to be
housed, hired and happy”’ (Indiana Business Research
Center, 2007, p. 19-20).
Indirect User Benefits
The perception of public libraries and the role they play
within the community has been identified by a number of
studies as increasing the attractiveness and improving the
sense of place within the community.
The Libraries Building Communities report states that
participants viewed public libraries as “the jewel in the
crown” for their area or neighbourhood; one participant
stating that “Libraries offer a local connection with a strong
civic pride and a focus on our history” (SLV et al. 2005
Report Two: Logging the Benefits, p. 30).
While considered less tangible, a study on the value of
public libraries in New South Wales (Liddle 2008) identified
that libraries increase local property values. This can
be considered an indicator of enhanced local amenity
within areas.
Environmental Savings
A key benefit of libraries is the environmental saving offered
by the multiple usages of materials. Multiple borrowing of
library print materials such as books and newspapers and
non-print materials, such as CDs, DVDs and ebooks, is
more resource friendly than individual ownership.
This is highlighted effectively by a participant in the
New South Wales study.
“Books = paper = chopping down trees. The more
we share the resources the less resources we need.”
(Liddle, 2008, p. 36).
Contribution to Literacy (including Digital Literacy)
The services and programs provided by public libraries
are seen to make a significant contribution to literacy. The
Victorian study (SLV 2009) found that many respondents to
the user survey indicated that internet access for all people
was a key benefit of libraries. One particular respondent also
highlighted that:
“.... they run computer classes and I know my father-inlaw learnt things there.”
“... they have a lot of facilities for children and the web...
so you don’t have to own a computer and you can spend
a couple of hours there.”
24
The Library Dividend
Complementing this, the Indiana study found that:
3.2.4
“Libraries serve as a significant channel for delivering
educational services for every age, from pre-school
through to retirement” (Indiana Business Research
Center, 2007, p.6).
While non-users do not experience the benefits enjoyed by
library users, it is both reasonable and common in studies
of this nature to assume that non-users will also place some
value on public library services. Elements of this value stem
from the following benefits.
The importance of libraries as contributors to literacy is
demonstrated in the Urban Libraries Council (2007) work.
It highlights that investments in early learning, in particular
through library programs such as traditional story-time
activities, builds stronger local economic capacity in the
long-term.
Complement to Education Institutions
It is recognised that public libraries complement education
institutions through the provision of services and programs.
The New South Wales study highlights and quantifies this
by assuming that if public libraries did not exist, education
institutions would need to bolster expenditure significantly
(Liddle, 2008). Further to this, the Victorian study found that
approximately half of library users said that their library had
supported their own education (SLV 2009, p. 56).
Facilitation of Career Development
Libraries facilitate job search activities through access to
the internet, as well as on-going learning through access
to services and programs. Both have been identified as
contributing to career development. Some participants in
the New South Wales study identified this as a key benefit
derived from using library services.
Non-User Benefits
Option Value
Although an individual may not use or ever visit a library, the
knowledge that it will be indefinitely accessible in the future
creates what is known as an ‘option value’. In this case,
there is an understanding that if the library services were
discontinued, the individual would feel a quantifiable loss of
this option.
Existence Value
‘Existence value’ is a much less tangible value. It reflects
individual perceptions of how public libraries contribute to
the basic and essential elements of a local community. In
essence, it stems from the fact that some non-users are
willing to pay for public libraries so others can benefit from
their services.
Legacy Value
Individuals and communities value maintaining public
libraries just so future generations might benefit from their
existence. This cultural and historical legacy stems from
the feeling of obligation and responsibility towards future
generations, particularly around places that have perceived
community value and/or operate to meet community needs.
“The Library User Survey found that 8.1% of respondents
credited the public library as helping them obtain a
new job or promotion and that 14% credited the public
library as making them more productive in their jobs”
(Liddle, 2008, p. 30).
Contribution to Community Health
The contribution that public libraries make to community
health is identified as a benefit by some studies. General
information provided through library collections, as well as
particular library programs that focus on raising awareness
with respect to health issues were identified as drivers of
this benefit.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
25
3
3.3
Public Library Community Welfare Contributions
Economic Activity Generated
Another common measure estimated in earlier studies is
the wider economic impact that library services generate in
regional economies: that is, the amount of economic activity
induced by public library operations. Importantly, such an
approach, often called economic impact assessment (EIA),
does not assess whether the public library services provide
a net benefit (net value) to the community they serve, i.e.
the benefits (values) outweigh the costs. EIA merely traces
how library service expenditures trigger other expenditures
in the regional economy and culminate in a total amount of
economic activity induced.
In EIA the economic stimuli is largely related to the actual
expenditure of the public library service. This can include:
The Wisconsin study describes the EIA concept well:
3.3.2
“All of the dollars spent by public libraries, their employees
and visitors on goods and services recycle through the
state economy to be spent again on goods and services
by the businesses and citizens that serve the public
libraries” (North Star Economics, 2008, p. 20).
Economic flow-ons (indirect impacts) reflect the transactions
triggered in buyer and supplier industries relevant to libraries
in the first instance, i.e. the first round of transactions. They
also include transactions induced by the related buyer and
supplier industries in the second round of transactions, as
well as third, fourth and fifth rounds of transactions induced
and so on.
In some of the earlier studies, both CBA and EIA techniques
are used interchangeably to quantify the value of public
libraries. In some cases the results are incorrectly added
together and presented as a total economic value. It is
reiterated that both are distinct techniques that quantify
library service contributions from different perspectives.
Their independent results should not be added together.
Carrying out an EIA requires isolating the stimulatory
expenditures made by public libraries in their local
economies, often called the direct impact, and then:
~~ aligning these stimulatory expenditures with related
(buyer and supplier) industries
~~ tracing how the activity induced in these related
industries reverberates locally, through subsequent
rounds of buying/supplying, until the reverberations
peter out.
The direct impact plus the reverberations, also known as
indirect impacts or flow-on effects, can then be added
together to approximate an overall economic impact.
26
The Library Dividend
3.3.1
Economic Stimuli (Direct Impact)
“...the library’s local spending on staff compensation and
on goods and services. This type of economic impact
can be thought of in terms of the additional local jobs that
are attributable to the spending of a library. In addition
to salaries paid to staff that are spent on items such as
housing, groceries and utilities, libraries also buy services
from local plumbers, copier repair firms and utilities.”
(Indiana Business Research Center, 2007, p 12).
Economic Flow-Ones (Indirect Impact)
That is, the direct economic stimuli lead to:
“...secondary and tertiary economic effects. In short,
library spending helps support the network of local
economic transactions” (Indiana Business Research Center,
2007, p 12).
3.4Synopsis
Given the insights generated by previous studies, it can
be concluded confidently that the value of public library
services to the community stems from the user and
non-user benefits categorised in Figure 15. However,
delivering these benefits requires significant expenditures
(costs) and, therefore, estimating their net value or benefit
to the Queensland community requires subtracting these
delivery costs, which are largely recurrent capital and
operating costs.
It is also useful to describe how public libraries stimulate
economic activity in their host regions and, in doing so,
contribute to regional employment and output. This is done
by adding direct library expenditures, i.e. their recurrent
capital and operating costs, to the expenditures induced
in buyer and supplier industries from this initial stimulus
through multiple rounds of transactions.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
27
4
VALUATION
TECHNIQUES
AND RESULTS
ELSEWHERE
This section outlines the
techniques previously used
to quantify and monetise
the contributions made
by public libraries, as well
as the results that have
been generated using
these techniques.
4.1
Techniques to Monetise Benefits
Public library services, like numerous other social and
community services, are generally provided for social
development and equity purposes, and thus are not
delivered on a commercial (i.e. full fee for service) basis.
Consequently, public library services do not command
an observable market price, which complicates how their
services can be valued.
If library services were to be provided by the private sector,
commercial fees would need to be charged. This is likely to
lead to sub-optimal use of library services, given the price
sensitivity of some community members, undermining
the equity of access principles that currently govern the
subsidised provision of library services. In turn this would
lead to a sub-optimal realisation of public/community
benefits conferred by library services.
In order to get around this problem, economists use several
other techniques including:
1. the stated preference of users and non-users of having
such services available
2. the revealed preference of users of having such services
available and/or using market prices of comparable
goods that might be regarded as substitutes for
particular library services.
Based on these different methods, three techniques have
been used in the literature to quantify the value of benefits
conferred by public library services (Figure 16).
Each of these techniques is best suited to measure different
types of benefits:
~~ the contingency valuation method (CVM) is generally
used to measure the use (direct and indirect) and
non-use benefits of public libraries, albeit separately.
This method can also be used to monetise the value of
specific library programs
~~ on the other hand, the financial savings approach
and travel cost methods (TCM) are generally used to
measure only the direct user benefits of public libraries.
Sometimes these approaches have also been used to
value specific programs conducted by public libraries.
4.1.1
Contingency Valuation Method
Perhaps the most widely used method of monetising both
use and non-use benefits of public libraries is the contingent
valuation method (CVM).
The CVM asks respondents to state their willingness to pay
(WTP) to support particular projects, in this case public
library services. Hence CVM is known as a stated preference
valuation method. This method, reliant on survey responses,
seeks a subjective valuation of users’ and non-users’
willingness to pay for library services, or alternatively, their
willingness to accept (WTA) payment, e.g. in the form of tax
savings, in order to forego public library services.
28
The Library Dividend
Figure16:
16
Figure
Techniques to Value Public Library Service Benefits
Contingency valuation
method (CVM)
(Stated preference)
Financial savings/
consumer surplus (Market
prices of comparable goods)
In order to value financial savings, studies use the actual
costs of substitutes to specific library services in the local
marketplace. These market costs inform an estimate of
the direct use value. Essentially, these financial savings are
representative of the consumer surplus to society, i.e. the
amount consumers are willing to pay to access services
less the actual amount they pay at public libraries (often little
or nothing).
It is important to note a shortcoming of this approach. In
most circumstances, this technique can only be used to
value the financial savings from access to material that has
been borrowed from the library on loan. That is, it undercounts benefits derived from sources within the library, e.g.
reference material3 and content accessed remotely, e.g. via
the website.
Measuring economic
value of public libraries
Travel cost method (TCM)
(Revealed preference)
Most studies observe that the generated responses to
Figure
18 to pay (WTP) surveys are superior to willingness
willingness
Data
Collection
CBA
Framework
to accept
(WTA) Methods
measures.forThis
reflects
the sometimes
Another point to note is that financial savings calculated
using this approach are based on current year prices. On
the other hand, a substantial part of material in circulation
on loan might have been purchased in previous years.
However, Levin et al (2006) point out that the value of
reference materials, especially books, does not depreciate
over time, even after multiple uses.
extremely inflated WTA responses, for example those
recorded by Pung et al (2004).2 Consequently, researchers
prefer to use WTP measures for estimating the value of both
user Site
andvisits/consultation
non-user benefits.
Recurrent costs
4.1.3
Travel Cost Method
Existing publications
While CVM is the most widely used valuation technique, it
has a few disadvantages:
The travel cost method (TCM) assumes that library users
value their own time. The choice implicit in a decision to
~~ the valuation inherently rests more on subjective notions
spend time at the library rather than in some other activity
Direct use benefits
of value rather than market values
reflects the investment equal to the value of the users’ time,
i.e. their revealed preference to spend time at the library.
~~ these surveys present respondents with purely
hypothetical alternatives. As a result, they yield inherently
speculative information.
This method is primarily used to value direct use benefits of
public
libraries. When using the TCM, studies usually apply
Indirect use
benefits
User survey
users’
travel time and their time spent at the library using
Nonetheless, the CVM remains a robust method of
hourly
wage rates.
measuring value of public library benefits, as it offers the
most comprehensive scope among all available techniques
Note that this method is not widely used. This is because of
for measuring both direct and indirect use benefits, as well
Non - usethe
benefits
perceived shortcoming in applying hourly wage rates as
as the non-use benefits.
the opportunity cost of users’ time. It has been suggested
that library customers are much more likely to substitute
visiting the library for another recreational pursuit, rather
than for work. Therefore, approximating the opportunity
This method is used widely to monetise the direct use Program specific
benefits
cost of customers’ time with the hourly wage rate may not
Non-user
survey
benefits of public library services and specific programs
be appropriate. A clear remedy lies in using the opportunity
within this context. It approximates the financial savings to
cost of recreational time, which is often applied in public
library users in accessing free facilities and services, rather
transport studies.
than paying for commensurate services/facilities elsewhere.
4.1.2
Financial Savings/Consumer Surplus
Qualitative content & insights
As identified earlier, the direct use benefits of public library
services relate to their provisioning of services such as print
and non-print collections, PC/internet services and meeting
rooms. The user would have had to pay for each of these
services/facilities had libraries not provided them.
Figure 19
Data Collection Methods for EIA Framework
2 W
here some respondents expressed their willingness to accept
3 Levin et al (2006) argue that a rough estimate of material accessed
nothing less than $1 million as compensation for the cessation
at the library without being borrowed, i.e. on loan, could be gauged
public library services.
from the number of items re-shelved by library staff.
Library service recurrent
Existing publications
Site visits/consultation
costs (direct impact)
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
29
4
4.2
Valuation Techniques And Results Elsewhere
Available Evidence of Benefits
Several public library studies have used the aforementioned techniques to value both use and non-use benefits of public
libraries. In summary:
~~ most studies select the CVM to provide a consolidated value on both use and direct use benefits of public library services
~~ a number of studies use the financial savings method to quantify the direct use benefits of libraries and elements thereof
~~ the TCM has been used only by selected studies to value specific programs conducted by libraries.
4.2.1
Aggregate Direct and Indirect Uses
Table 1 shows the available estimates of willingness to pay for public library services and/or willingness to accept
compensation in order to forego these services.
Table 1
CVM Estimates of Library Benefits
Benefit
Consolidated value of
direct and indirect use
of library services
Valuation technique
Studya
Estimate per capita
(2011$) *1
Estimate per user p.a.
(2011$) *
Contingent
valuation method
(CVM) – Willingness to
pay (WTP)
SLV (2009)
$67.77 $128.60
Contingent
valuation method
(CVM) – Willingness to
accept (WTA)
Liddle (2008)
$36.35
$64.25
Pung et al (2004)
$2.84
$353.01
Pung et al (2004)
$14.50
$830.73
Notes:
*All values are presented in 2011 Australian dollars. An inflation rate of 2.5% p.a. has been applied to align benefits with the current
period (based on ABS Cat 6401.0). Historic exchange rates have been accessed from www.xe.com to convert foreign currency to
Australian dollars.
1Benefits per capita have been derived by taking the total value of benefits as a ratio of the reference population served by the library.
aLiddle (2008) estimates the value of all public libraries in New South Wales in 2007. Pung et al (2004) estimate the value of the British library
to the UK population in 2004. SLV (2009) estimates the value of Victorian public libraries in 2009 as outlined in the Dollars, Sense and Public
Libraries Technical Report commissioned by State Library of Victoria.
30
The Library Dividend
4.2.2
Direct Use Benefits: Access to Services
Most studies have relied on the financial savings method to value the direct use benefits of specific services and facilities
provided by libraries. Table 2 summarises the available evidence.
Table 2
Financial Savings based estimates of Specific Direct Use Benefits
Benefit
Access to
services: print
and non-print
material
Valuation technique
Studya
Estimate per capita
(2011$) *1
Financial savings (consumer surplus) – materials borrowed in
lieu of purchase/ rent
Books
Liddle (2008)
Commercial
benchmarks (2011$ per
transaction/per hour)*
$114.98
$27.60
Levin et al (2006)
$58.34
$14.11
Levin et al (2006)
$2.89
$7.35
Purchase
Liddle (2008)
$4.29
$22.07
Rental
Liddle (2008)
$3.43
$4.41
Serials
Liddle (2008)
$1.48
$4.41
Separate collections
Liddle (2008)
$31.99
$27.60
Online journals
Liddle (2008)
$32.80
Films
Levin et al (2006)
$20.68
$4.41
Music and books CDs/ DVDs
Levin et al (2006)
$13.09
$18.51
Others (book tapes, books for
blind, ebooks, audio books
downloads)
Levin et al (2006)
$9.77
$22.81
Access to
services: PC
and internet
access
Financial savings (consumer
surplus) – use of a PC/internet
in lieu of commercial rent
Liddle (2008)
$0.99
$3.31
$20.02
$14.71
Access to
services:
meeting rooms
Financial savings (consumer
surplus) – use of facilities in lieu
of commercial rent
Levin et al (2006)
$0.32
$73.56
Non books/ periodicals:
Levin et al (2006)
Notes:
*All values are presented in 2011 adjusted Australian dollars. An inflation rate of 2.5% p.a. has been applied to align benefits with the current
period (based on ABS Cat 6401.0). Historic exchange rates have been accessed from www.xe.com to convert foreign currencies to
Australian dollars.
1 Benefits per capita have been derived by taking the total value of benefits as a ratio of the reference population served by the library.
aLiddle (2008) estimates the value of all public libraries in New South Wales in 2007. Levine et al (2006) estimate the value of nine libraries in
South West Ohio to their constituent population in 2005.
** Levin et al (2006) estimate that library users are able to recoup 50% of the purchase value of books and CDs by re-selling these items.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
31
4
4.2.3
Valuation Techniques And Results Elsewhere
The financial savings from access to different types of
services have been valued as follows:
Access to print and non-print material
Access to different types of print and non-print material, e.g.
books, serials, audio-books, newspapers and magazines,
audio and video CDs and DVDs etc. has been valued at
commensurate acquisition cost (either purchase price or
rental cost) less the resale value of the item.4
Direct Use Benefits: Specific Programs
Some studies have tried to estimate the value of specific
programs such as school holiday, visiting author talks, PC/
internet training and outreach programs. Studies which have
tried to monetise benefits associated with these programs
have primarily used the financial savings approach to do
so. Other techniques, such as the TCM, have also been
used selectively.
Specific library programs
Access to PC/internet use
Financial savings from PC/internet use take account of
avoided costs of using internet facilities at commercial
internet kiosks. These have been valued using rental prices
of commensurate services available commercially.
Access to meeting rooms
Some specific programs, for instance, school holiday
programs and visiting author talks, entail a nominal
participation fee. Financial savings from attending such
programs are calculated based on deducting the nominal
participation fee from a commensurate commercial fee of
attending a similar program elsewhere.
PC/Internet Training
Community space provided by different library locations
could be taken up for several different uses. Financial
savings are valued using rental rates of commensurately
sized facilities available in the private market.
Financial savings from attending PC/internet programs are
calculated based on a commensurate commercial fee of
attending a similar program elsewhere.
Table 3
Estimates of Public Library Program Benefits
Benefits of the
following programs:
General programs
School holiday
program
Valuation technique
Financial savings
(consumer surplus) – in
lieu of avoided commercial
cost of attending program
Study a
Liddle
(2008)
Estimate per capita
(2011$) * 1
$2.34
Commercial benchmarks
(2011$ per transaction) *
$22.07
$14.92 (commercial fee)
$4.94 (participation fee)
Visiting author talks
$16.60 (commercial fee)
$6.93 (participation fee)
PC/ internet training
Outreach program
Levin et al
(2006)
Travel cost method
(TCM): travel costs saved
to users whose trips to
the library were rendered
unnecessary
$0.06**
Levin et al
(2006)
$36.78**
$0.59 per roadway mile
$0.46**
Equivalent to $0.37 per km
Notes: *All values are presented in 2011 adjusted Australian dollars. An inflation rate of 2.5% p.a. has been applied to align benefits with the current
period (based on ABS Cat 6401.0). Historic exchange rates have been accessed from www.xe.com to convert foreign currencies to
Australian dollars.
1Benefits per capita have been derived by taking the total value of benefits as a ratio of the reference population served by the library.
aLiddle (2008) estimates the value of all public libraries in New South Wales in 2007. Levine et al (2006) estimate the value of nine libraries in
South West Ohio to their constituent population in 2005.
**Levin et al (2006) estimate that library users are able to recoup 50% of the purchase value of books and CDs by re-selling these items.
4 The resale value is used to capture the true opportunity cost of using the library to the user, i.e. purchase price of an item less its resale value
available to the user. Levin et al (2006) assume a resale value of 50% of acquisition cost.
32
The Library Dividend
Outreach programs
Outreach programs are those that are delivered ‘outside
of the four walls’ of the library facility. For example, such
programs can be provided through schools, nursing
homes, retirement villages and childcare organisations.
Outreach services can include the delivery of training or
education programs or the provision of books and other
library materials.
In trying to quantify the value of outreach programs, studies
rely on the TCM. This is used to estimate the saved travel
costs for users, who in the absence of such programs,
would not have travelled to the library to access services.
In order to approximate these travel cost savings, Levin et al
(2006) use the average distance travelled by library vehicles
to reach their customers and apply a standard travel cost
on the distance travelled. However, in doing so, the method
does not capture the financial savings to customers from
having access to the material free of charge, in the absence
of which, these customers might have had to purchase/rent
commensurate material. Secondly, the estimated benefit
is unable to monetise the benefit obtained by customers
who could not travel to the library at any reasonable price
because of physical disabilities, or because they are children
who could not safely travel to the library on their own.
4.2.4
Indirect Use Benefits
Indirect use benefits of public libraries relate to social and
cultural benefits of community cohesion, improved career
development opportunities, and environmental savings,
amongst other things.
Most valuations of these benefits are best and most
comprehensively covered using user surveys, i.e. CVM
(similar to results presented above). Nonetheless, some
techniques have been identified and used in the literature
to impute values on selected indirect use benefits. Table 4
summarises these findings.
Facilitation of career progression
CVMs undertaken by some studies reveal that materials
provided by libraries facilitate career progression of some of
its users. These are valued using an assumed mark-up on
the average weekly earnings of individuals.
Table 4
Estimates of Indirect Use Benefits
Benefit
Valuation technique
Studya
Facilitating career
development and
productivity improvements
Contingent valuation Liddle
methodology (CVM) (2008)
– user surveys
Social/ cultural benefit:
(improved knowledge; improved
general and computer literacy;
improved social and cultural
skills; increased local amenity;
equitable access; feeling of
respect and involvement)
Contingent valuation Liddle
(2008)
methodology
(CVM) – user surveys
and library manager
surveys
Avoided drug use costs
Financial savings –
Govt. cost savings due
to improved societal
welfare
Liddle
(2008)
Financial savings –
avoided paper use
Liddle
(2008)
Environmental benefits
(avoided paper use due to
multiple use of material)
Estimate per capita
(2011$) *1
Accepted benchmark
(2011$ per annum)*
$18.54
10% benefit on weekly
earnings
Not available
$0.17
Approx. $1 million
saved for every 1kg of
avoided opiate use
Not applicable
Notes:
*All values are presented in 2011 adjusted Australian dollars. An inflation rate of 2.5% p.a. has been applied to align benefits with the current
period (based on ABS Cat 6401.0). Historic exchange rates have been accessed from www.xe.com to convert foreign currencies to
Australian dollars.
1Benefits per capita have been derived by taking the total value of benefits as a ratio of the reference population served by the library.
aLiddle (2008) estimates the value of all public libraries in New South Wales in 2007.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
33
4
Social and cultural benefits
Valuation Techniques And Results Elsewhere
When using other techniques, most studies use CVMs to
derive the value of indirect user benefits of public libraries.
Levin et al (2006) point out that the value of such benefits are
unlikely to be reflected in the computation of direct benefits
(i.e. using the financial savings approach). This is because, for
instance, a library user may save $100 on a major purchase
or a home improvement project, after consulting relevant
material at the library. The direct use benefit approach
would only capture the financial savings for the customer
associated with the avoided purchase of the relevant material;
it would fail to capture the $100 savings attributable to the
customer’s use of the content of the material itself. Thus, a
better measure of value of such services is obtained from an
estimate of users’ willingness to pay.
Other social benefits of public libraries, for instance, a curb
in drug use because of information contained in materials
available at the library, are measured using the financial
savings to government (in lieu of avoided spending on health
costs). Liddle (2008) found that each kilogram of avoided
opiate use because of information available at libraries is a
financial saving which can be measured against an available
index of government’s health costs due to certain types of
drug consumption.
4.2.5
Non-Use Benefits
Non-use benefits are mostly measured using CVM
techniques, i.e. undertaking non-user surveys. Where such
survey collection methods may prove too expensive and/
or time-consuming, studies suggest using either of the
following as representative of value to the non-user:
~~ value of public libraries to users of facilities, as
suggested by user-surveys, or
~~ per capita funding expended by the government for the
relevant jurisdiction.
Table 5 summarises the results of studies which have
ascertained non-use values generated by libraries.
4.3Techniques to Estimate Induced
Economic Activity
As discussed in Section 3.3, expenditure by a library, its
staff, and users of the library, all sustain and create new
income for the regional economy. Earlier studies have
argued that these expenditures include:
~~ expenditure by public libraries:
-- purchases made by libraries
-- salaries of staff
~~ expenditure by library users:
-- travel expenditure in commuting to and from the library
-- IT related expenditures for those users who acquire
a PC and internet facilities at home, after benefiting
from these uses at the library
~~ redistributed financial savings by library users on
materials accessed at the library in lieu of purchase/
rental costs, i.e. redistributions to other sectors of
the economy.
Table 5
Estimates of Non-Use Benefits
Benefit
Option, Existence
and Legacy value
of public libraries
Valuation technique
Contingent valuation methodology
(CVM) – non user survey
Apply valuation by the user as
representative of value to non-user
Apply current per capita funding level
for the jurisdiction as representative of
value to non-user
Studya
SLV (2009)
Estimate per capita
(2011$)*
Estimate per non-user
per annum (2011$)*
-
$57.78
Liddle (2008)
$9.26
$21.32
Pung et al
(2004)
$5.67
$19.17
$27.88
$64.25
$20.48
$47.16
Liddle (2008)
Notes:
*All values are presented in 2011 inflation adjusted Australian dollars. An inflation rate of 2.5% p.a. has been applied to align benefits with the
current period (based on ABS Cat 6401.0). Historic exchange rates have been accessed from www.xe.com to convert foreign currency
valuation in Australian dollars.
1Benefits per capita have been derived by taking the total value of benefits as a ratio of the reference population served by the library.
aLiddle (2008) estimates the value of all public libraries in New South Wales in 2007. Pung et al (2004) estimate the value of the British library to
the UK population in 2004.
34
The Library Dividend
Common techniques for assessing how these direct expenditures flow through to buyer and supplier industries through
numerous rounds of transactions in the local economy include:
~~ adopting input/output multipliers which, in Australia, are published at the national level by the Australian Bureau of
Statistics for various industry groups based on data measured in the National Accounts. These multipliers enable
stimulatory expenditures (direct impacts) in any one industry to be assessed in terms of their overall impact on economic
output/income, value added and employment
~~ utilisation of regional econometric models which perform a similar task but which can isolate the depth and breadth
of buyer supplier transactions at sub-national levels. Each model differs considerably and a full examination here
is unwarranted.
4.4Available Evidence of Induced Economic Activity
Table 6 summarises the available evidence on the economic activity generated by public libraries.
Table 6
Estimates of Induced Economic Activity
Identified component creating
economic stimulus
Expenditure on salaries of staff
Expenditure on library purchases
(books and material) and other
capital expenditure
Travel expenditure of users when
commuting to the library
IT expenditures of library users
because of increased awareness of
PCs and internet usage at the library
Valuation
technique
Study a
Liddle
Industry
multipliers (2008)
Activity (value added) generated per capita
(2011$)*
Indirect
Direct impact
Impact
Total Impact
Value added
multiplier used
(indirect effect)
$47.17
$34.91
$82.09
1.74
$7.43
-$0.74
$6.69
0.9
$16.57
$6.80
$23.37
1.41
$20.79
0.11 = 1.4
(weighted
average)
- 1.29
(books and
publishing)
Marginal effects of redistributed
financial savings
Notes:
*All values are presented in 2011 adjusted Australian dollars. An inflation rate of 2.5% p.a. has been applied to align benefits with the current
period (based on ABS Cat 6401.0).
1Value added per capita has been derived by taking the total value added as a ratio of the reference population served by the library.
aLiddle (2008) estimates the value of all public libraries in New South Wales in 2007.
4.5Synopsis
Previous studies have identified several techniques for estimating the use and non-use benefits associated with public libraries,
i.e. the contingent valuation method, the financial savings/ consumer surplus method, as well as the travel cost method. The
CVM can be used to value all of the elements of user benefits, i.e. direct and indirect components as an aggregate, as well
as non-user benefits as an aggregate. The financial savings/consumer surplus and TCM techniques can both be used to
estimate direct user benefits as an aggregate and, sometimes, individual components of this aggregate.
Existing studies have also used multipliers to translate the stimulatory expenditures associated with public library operation
into estimates of overall economic activity induced. These multipliers have generally been national multipliers and therefore
potentially overstate economic activity induced in local communities.
The estimates generated in relevant studies have been profiled in this section in a manner that will enable the results of this
project to be both referenced and benchmarked.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
35
5
DISTILLED
ASSESSMENT
FRAMEWORK
5.1
Cost Benefit Analysis
The CBA of Queensland public library services contrasts
the recurrent cost of provisioning with the recurrent benefits
conferred on users and non-users. That is, it subtracts
annual delivery costs from annual benefits conferred to
calculate an annual net dollar benefit.
The measurement techniques for the broad elements of cost
and use and non-use benefit are shown in Figure 17.
This section presents the
refined cost benefit analysis
(CBA) and economic
impact assessment (EIA)
frameworks that were
utilised in this project. It
nominates the preferred
measurement techniques
for the array of costs and
benefits associated with
public libraries, as well as
their induced economic
activity in regional
economies. It then goes
on to identify the data
collection methods that
were used to gather the
inputs for each of the
measurement techniques.
36
The Library Dividend
Figure 18 links each of the CBA framework’s key
components with relevant data collection methods,
acknowledging that qualitative insights were gathered by a
variety of methods.
Each of the following data collection methods was utilised in
each of the case study library services:
~~ review of existing publications
~~ site visits/consultation
~~ user surveys.
A state-wide household survey was also utilised to
complement the case study based results.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
37
BENEFITS
COSTS
NON-USE
USE
Preserving the option
for future use
Perceived value and
significance to the
community
Value of preservation
for future generations
EXISTENCE
LEGACY
The flow-on benefits
of using library
services
INDIRECT
OPTION
The direct benefits to
library users
DIRECT
Benefits
Collection – news and serials
Subscriptions
Information technology
Programs
Provision of facilities
Social interaction
Collection – non print material
Financial
savings
See description
Contribution to community health
Survey
of user
willingness
to pay
Contingency
valuation
(CVM)
Survey of non-user willingness to pay
Contingency valuation (CVM)
Not
captured by
travel cost
method
(TCM)
Travel cost
method
(TCM)
Proposed measurement technique
Not
Contribution to literacy (including digital literacy) captured
by financial
Complement to education institutions
savings
technique
Facilitation of career development
Environmental savings
Improved local amenity
Access to services
Collection – print
Services and Programs
Actual costs
Recurrent operating costs: expenditure on library materials, staff costs and other administration costs
Proposed measurement technique
Depreciation allowances
Capital and operating costs
Recurrent capital works to library buildings
Figure 17
Proposed Technique for Estimating Costs and Benefits
Travel cost method (TCM)
(Revealed preference)
5
Figure 18
FigureCollection
18
Data
Methods for CBA Framework
Data Collection Methods for CBA Framework
Valuation Techniques And Results Elsewhere
Site visits/consultation
Recurrent costs
Existing publications
Direct use benefits
User survey
Indirect use benefits
Non - use benefits
Non-user survey
Program specific benefits
Qualitative content & insights
5.2
Economic Impact Analysis
Figure 19
supplier transaction) that are measured by the Australian
Bureau of Statistics in the National Accounts, and scales
Data Collection Methods for EIA Framework
The EIA of Queensland public library services utilises
these relationships down to a state level initially and then
the recurrent costs of library service operations, as the
subsequently a regional level, i.e. using available datasets
key expenditure stimuli into the regional economy. It
and accepted mathematical techniques. The results of
also includes the triggered expenditures of library users
this scaling process are a set of regional industry specific
elsewhere
in the economy because of their library patronageLibrary multipliers
service recurrent
which estimate how spending
in publications
a specific
Existing
Site visits/consultation
costs (direct
impact)
(e.g. books, PCs, etc.).
regional
industry, via the assessed direct impacts (stimuli),
flows through to total regional:
The EIA framework uses these direct stimulatory
~~ output (or income)
expenditures as an input into a regional econometric model
to estimate total regional economic activity generated,
User driven direct impacts
~~ value added (or contribution to GRP)
i.e. total regional area output/income, value-added
~~ full time equivalent employment levels.
and employment impacts associated with public
library services.
Input-output modelling has some limitations but is generally
Indirectregarded
impacts as a cost effective technique, recognising that
The User
econometric
survey model developed for each of the case
the only feasible alternative is to utilise partial or general
study communities uses SGS’s tried and tested method
equilibrium econometric models, which are expensive
of adjusted national level input output multipliers to local
and which are calibrated for estimation using geographic
area levels by making adjustments to reflect local area
regions which do not align well with library service
economic strengths, weaknesses and capacities. In
Total Impacts
(municipal) boundaries.
essence, SGS takes the inter-industry relationships (buyer–
Local econometric model
38
The Library Dividend
Qualitative content & insights
Site visits/consultation
Existing publications
Recurrent costs
Direct use benefits
key economic inputs such as labour and capital are
assumed to be unconstrained, i.e. there is sufficient
~~ The input-output (econometric) model assumes
slack in the economy to service these stimuli without
Indirect use benefits
relationships
User survey between industries are static over the
transferring significant resources from other productive
forecast period. That is, productivity improvements are
uses. It also means that the activities that are promoted
not factored in and historic relationships are assumed
by the subject project do not adversely affect
to hold
operations elsewhere.”
Non - use benefits
~~ The input-output (econometric) model derives
The measurement techniques that align with specific inputs
relationships between industries using total production
into this modelling process are shown in Figure 19.
estimates. Consequently, the relationships are ‘average’,
whereas the stimulus used as an input is ‘marginal’.
Each of the following data collection methods was utilised in
Such an approach does not account for any ‘under- Program specific benefits
each of the seven case study library services:
Non-user
survey at the industry level or additional
utilised
capacity’
~~ review of existing publications
economies of scale that might ensue, as production
expands from its existing base
~~ site visits/consultation
~~ As already mentioned, all of the stimuli are assumed Qualitative content & insights
~~ user surveys.
to be ‘new’ economic activities for each regional
economy. That is, crowding out or industry substitution
effects are assumed to be negligible, meaning that
The noted limitations of input-output modelling are as follows:
Figure 19
Data Collection Methods for EIA Framework
Figure 19
Data Collection Methods for EIA Framework
Site visits/consultation
Library service recurrent
costs (direct impact)
Existing publications
User driven direct impacts
User survey
Indirect impacts
Total Impacts
Local econometric model
Qualitative content & insights
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
39
5
5.3
Valuation Techniques And Results Elsewhere
Case Study Library Services
After a detailed demographic, economic and spatial analysis of Queensland’s development patterns, seven broad
regional (LGA) types were used to categorise each of the state’s municipalities/library service areas. These municipal
categorisations included:
~~ metropolitan region
~~ regional centre, stable population
~~ high growth centre
~~ disadvantaged centre
~~ small rural community (10-25,000 population)
~~ declining community (less than 5,000 population)
~~ resource segment focused region.
Table 7 details how each municipality was categorised.
Table 7
Library Service Case Study Classification
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 5
Group 6
Group 7
Metropolitan
Regional,
Stable
population
High growth
Disadvantaged
centre
Small rural
community
Declining
community
Resource
segment
Brisbane (C)
Mackay (R)
Sunshine
Coast (R)
Fraser Coast
(R)
Goondiwindi
(R)
Paroo (S)
Mount Isa (C)
Gold Coast
(C)
Toowoomba (R)
Cairns (R)
BlackallTambo (R)
Balonne (S)
Diamantina (S)
Banana (S)
Ipswich (C)
Rockhampton
(R)
Whitsunday
(R)
Bundaberg (R)
Burdekin (S)
Barcoo (S)
Barcaldine (R)
Logan (C)
Scenic Rim (R)
Lockyer Valley
(R)
Cassowary
Coast (R)
Hinchinbrook
(S)
Boulia (S)
Burke (S)
Moreton Bay
(R)
Tablelands (R)
Townsville (C)
Cook (S)
Flinders (S)
Bulloo (S)
Central
Highlands (R)
Gympie (R)
North Burnett
(R)
Carpentaria
(S)
Isaac (R)
Redland (C)
40
Group 4
South Burnett
(R)
Somerset (R)
Cloncurry (S)
Western
Downs (R)
Southern
Downs (R)
Charters
Towers (R)
Croydon (S)
Gladstone (R)
Torres (S)
Longreach (R)
Mornington
(S)
Weipa (T)
McKinlay (S)
Winton (S)
Maranoa (R)
Murweh (S)
Quilpie (S)
Richmond (S)
Etheridge (S)
The Library Dividend
This project provided a case study library which was representative of each of the municipal categorisations above in order to
enable the scaling of results to an all-of-Queensland level. Representative case study locations are identified in Table 8.
Table 8
Case Study Libraries
Library Service
Category
Brisbane
Metropolitan
Sunshine Coast
High Growth Centre
Fraser Coast
Disadvantaged Centre
Mackay
Regional Centre, Stable Population
Goondiwindi
Small Rural Community (10,000-25,000 population)
Paroo
Declining Community (less than 5,000 population)
Mount Isa
Resource Segment
5.4
Scaling the Results
5.4.1
Cost Benefit Analysis
The results of the CBA were scaled to a Queensland level. To do this:
~~ the recurrent costs of all public library services were sourced from existing publications
~~ these publications were used to assess use types and frequencies by key facility/program type for each library service
~~ the dollar-value of willingness to pay, financial savings and cost of travel, measured in the case study user surveys, was
applied to broader user numbers of libraries bearing similar characteristics to the chosen case study libraries
~~ the state-wide non-user survey results, i.e. the non-user willingness to pay, were applied across all
Queensland households.
5.4.2
Economic Impact Assessment
In terms of the EIA, the recurrent costs of all public library services were sourced from existing publications, as per the CBA.
Additional, user-based stimulatory expenditures were assessed from the case studies on a per user basis and subsequently
applied to total user numbers across the state.
These stimulatory expenditures were input into a Queensland econometric model to assess the indirect impacts, with the end
result a sound assessment of economic activity generated in Queensland by public libraries, expressed in terms of:
~~ Queensland economic output/income
~~ Queensland value-added
~~ Queensland employment (jobs).
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
41
6
Survey Results
Surveys are an effective
way of obtaining data
and other information.
Two separate survey
mechanisms were utilised
during the data collection
stage of preparing
this assessment of
the economic value of
Queensland public libraries.
These surveys were to
capture information from
both library users and
non- users.
The library user survey collected information related to usage
practices and estimated a broad economic value from those
who utilise library services. The non-user survey collected
information related to library awareness and perceived value
and benefits. Information that was collected was used to
inform both the CBA and EIA analysis of economic value.
Information gathered through the survey process outlines
the values and benefits generated by actual visits to the
library and the acknowledgement of its physical existence.
The results do recognise the presence of online services
provided by libraries, however the overall benefits generated
through an online presence is not specifically considered in
this value assessment.
For the complete set of data resulting from the Library User
Survey, refer to Appendix 1. For the complete set of data
resulting from the Non-User (Household) Survey, also refer
to Appendix 2.
6.1
Library User Survey
Library customers from seven case study library services
were surveyed as part of this research, via online surveys.
Library users also had a hard copy survey option, which was
subsequently entered into the online survey database for
analysis. Table 9 details the response rate.
Table 9
Library User Sample Size
Library Service
Brisbane
1,449
Sunshine Coast
2,383
Fraser Coast
277
Mackay
586
Goondiwindi
120
Paroo
59
Mount Isa
52
Total completed surveys
4,926
Most library users in this survey were library members.
Indeed in all case study services, more than 92% of
respondents were library members.
42
The Library Dividend
6.1.1
Usage Frequency
6.1.2
Reasons for Library Use
Participants were asked how often, on average, they used
the library service. Figure 20 summarises the data. This
graph exhibits data from all respondents.
A wide variety of activities were carried out within the library
(Figure 21).
Key points to note:
~~ 92% of survey respondents noted that recreation was
the main purpose of their library visit
~~ most users used the library weekly or more often (33.1%
overall) or fortnightly (29.2% overall)
~~ overall, 85% of library users use the library at least once
every month
~~ weekly visits were less common in the country areas of
Paroo and Goondiwindi.
50%
10%
40%
0%
30%
20%
10%
Recreation
Less than
once a year
1-2 times
a year
3-4 times
a year
Once every
5-8 weeks
Once every
3-4 weeks
Once every
1-2 weeks
Weekly or
more often
0%
Main Purpose
Secondary Purpose
Main Purpose
Secondary Purpose
Figure 22
Primary Activity at the Library
Accompanying Accompanying
others
others
0.0%
60%
20%
Social
Less than
once a year
1-2 times
a year
3-4 times
a year
Once every
5-8 weeks
Once every
3-4 weeks
Once every
1-2 weeks
Weekly or
more often
15.0%
0.0%
70%
30%
Social
20.0%
5.0%
80%
40%
Research
25.0%
10.0%
90%
50%
Research
30.0%
15.0%
70%
100%
60%
Study/EducationStudy/Education
35.0%
20.0%
Recreation
25.0%
Percentage of respondents
Percentage of respondents
90%
Figure
21
Purpose
Visit
80%of Library Visit
Figure
20
30.0%
Library Usage Frequency
Percentage of respondents
Percentage of respondents
~~ study/education and research was also found to be
the main purpose of visit for approximately one-third of
all respondents
100%
35.0%
5.0%
~~ 6% of respondents acknowledged that the main
purpose of their library visit was to socialise
~~ other
Figure
21 key reasons for library use include saving time
and money.
estimated that they saved,
Purpose
of LibraryRespondents
Visit
on average, 47.5 minutes and $110 by using the
public library.
Figure
Figure 20
20
Library
Library Usage
Usage Frequency
Frequency
10.0%
Key points to note regarding library activities include:
Not a Purpose
Not a Purpose
100%
70%
60%
100%
50%
90%
40%
80%
30%
70%
20%
60%
10%
50%
0%
40%
rro
w
Bo
bo
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rro
o
pr oks
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w
i
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CD rials r
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ity
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ith
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th
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(
e
(p
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se ls.
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sp
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ify
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)
Percentage of respondents
Percentage of respondents
90%
Figure 22
Primary 80%
Activity at the Library
30%
20%
10%
rro
w
Bo
0%
Bo
Figure 23
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
43
30%
Purpose
of Library Visit
5.0%
35.0%
0.0%
30.0%
Perc
20%
Accompanying
others
Research
Research
Social
Study/Education
Study/Education
70%
Recreation
Percentage of respondents
Less than
once a year
1-2 times
a year
3-4 times
a year
Once every
5-8 weeks
Activity at the Library
80%
6.1.3
Survey Results
The survey
asked users to indicate what they did at the library on their typical visit. Figure 22 shows the results for the sample
15.0%
40%
as a whole. Note that respondents were able to list a range of activities andMain
the percentage
isSecondary
the proportion
of users Not
whoa Purpose
Purpose
Purpose
30%
listed that
activity.
10.0%
Figure
22
Figure
225.0%
Primary
Activity
at Library
the Library
Primary
Activity
at the
20%
70%
60%
Main Purpose
50%
Accompanying
others
Recreation
Less than
once a year
1-2 times
a year
3-4 times
a year
Once every
5-8 weeks
0%
Once every
3-4 weeks
Once every
1-2 weeks
80%
Weekly or
more often
Percentage of respondents
90%
50%
10%
0.0%
100%
60%
Social
Primary
20.0%
Once every
3-4 weeks
25.0%
Once every
1-2 weeks
Weekly or
more often
10%
100%
0%
90%
6
Percentage of respondents
Perc
10.0%
Library
Usage Frequency
Secondary Purpose
Not a Purpose
40%
Figure 30%
22
Primary20%
Activity at the Library
Percentage of respondents
Bo
rro
w
Bo
bo
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o
w prin ks
Ac
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e
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at
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ss
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rn
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o
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et
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ta
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p f
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a
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st
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ud
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At
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ir th
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o
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ity
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ith
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r
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(p er to
lea ial
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ify
)
10%
100%
0%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
bo
pr oks
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og
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ra o
O ry r li
th
er mat sten
(p er to
lea ial
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sp
ec
ify
)
It is clear
that
Figure
23 borrowing was the dominant activity at libraries. Overall, 95.9% of users borrowed books or printed materials
Length borrowed
of10%
Stay
and 61.3%
CDs, DVDs or videos. Attending programs and activities also ranked highly (25.8%) as did the use of
0%
reference materials
(26.2%).
60%
w
rro
rro
w
Length
40% of Stay
Bo
6.1.4
Bo
Percentage of respondents
While there was some overlap in the activities undertaken at libraries, with some people doing more than one thing, there was
sufficient separation
50% for distinct patterns to emerge.
Ac
Respondents were asked how long they spent at the library on their most recent visit. On average, they spent between 11 and
30%
30 minutes at the library. Figure 23 shows the most common length of time for all survey respondents.
20%
Figure
Figure
23 23
Length
of Stay
Length
of Stay
10%
0 - 10 minutes
11 - 30 minutes
31 - 45 minutes 46 minutes - 1 hour 1 hour - 2 hours
Brisbane
Sunshine Coast
Fraser Coast
Mackay
Mount Isa
Goondiwindi
Paroo
40%
30%
Figure 24
Distance Travelled
to Library
20%
Figure 25
Estimated Induced Expenditure
10%
0%
35.0%
0 - 10 minutes
Brisbane
0 - 5km
30.0%
minutes - 1 hour 1 hour - 2 hours
31 - 45 minutes 46
11 - 30 minutes
6 - 10km
Sunshine Coast
Fraser Coast
11 - 20km
44
over 2 hours
50%
Figure 24
The Library
Dividend
Distance
Travelled to Library
21 - 50km
51+km
Percentage of respondents
Percentage of respondents
60%
0%
25.0%
Mackay
Mount Isa
20.0%
15.0%
Figure 25
10.0% Induced Expenditure
Estimated
over 2 hours
Goondiwindi
Paroo
30%60%
Percentage of respondents
Percentage of respo
Length of Stay
40%
20%50%
10%40%
On average,
library users spend approximately 37 minutes in
Participants were also asked if they had been prompted
0%30%
over
2 hours
2 hours
minutes -anything
1 hour 1 as
hour
minutes
0 - 10visit.
31 - 45 minutes to46
11 - 30 minutes
the library during each
purchase
a -result
of using
the
library.
20%
These purchases included things such as books, training,
Borrowing activities
generated the
shortest
library visits.
Brisbane
Sunshine
Coast
Fraser Coast
Mackay memberships
Mount Isa or equipment.
Goondiwindi
Paroo induced
software,
The average
Civic/community
10% meetings, studying and socialising
expenditure for the total number of respondents is $54.48
activities generated much longer visit times.
per annum.
0%
0 - 10 minutes
Figure 24 Distance Travelled
6.1.5
11 - 30 minutes
31 - 45 minutes 46 minutes - 1 hour 1 hour - 2 hours
Figure
Figure 25
25
Distance Travelled to Library
Estimated
Induced Expenditure
Expenditure
Estimated Induced
Brisbane
Sunshine on
Coast
Fraser
Mackay
Mount Isa
The survey asked how
far people travelled
their outing
to Coast
the library. Figure 24 shows the average distance travelled
by library users.
11 - 20km
- 5km
21 -050km
6 - 10km
51+km
11 - 20km
21 - 50km
51+km
Figure 26
Satisfaction Rating
Percentage of respondents
People100%
in rural Paroo travelled the greatest distance, on
average,90%
to visit the library, with 17.5% of respondents
travelling over 51 kilometres. The average distance travelled
80%
Figure
26
by all library users was 7.8 kilometres.
Satisfaction
70% Rating
6.1.6
60%
Induced
100%
50%
and Prompted Expenditure
Percentage of respondents
Participants
were asked about their travel habits surrounding
40%90%
their trip to80%
the library. In total, 64.3% of respondents
30%
indicated that they visited the library during a trip to multiple
20%70%
places including restaurants, supermarkets, school and
10%60%
recreational activities.
Percentage of respondents
6 - 10km
Goondiwindi
Paroo
35.0%
30.0%
Figure 25
Estimated
Induced Expenditure
25.0%
20.0%
35.0%
15.0%
30.0%
Percentage of respondents
0 - 5km
Figure
Figure
24 24
Distance
Travelled
to Library
Distance
Travelled
to Library
over 2 hours
10.0%
25.0%
5.0%
20.0%
0.0%
15.0%
Nothing
$0 - $10 $11 - $20 $21 - $50 over $51
10.0%
6.1.7
Satisfaction
5.0%
with Library Services
The survey asked library customers to rate their satisfaction
0.0%
(on a 5-point scale) with the following aspects of the
Nothing $0 - $10 $11 - $20 $21 - $50 over $51
library service:
~~ overall service
~~ collection
~~ internet/Wi-Fi
~~ meeting rooms and other facilities
~~ amenity of the building
~~ staff assistance
~~ library website.
0%50%
Overall
service
Computers/Wi-Fi
Amenity
of the building
Figure
26 outlines
survey responses. Library Website
During these
trips,
respondents
were asked to
estimate how
40%
Collection
Meeting
rooms
Staff assistance
much they 30%
spend at any other places during their trip to the
& other Overall
facilities the majority of responses highlighted a high level
library. Figure
20%25 depicts the responses.
of customer satisfaction regarding each library service. On
Satisfied
Moderate Satisfaction
Unsatisfied
Very Unsatisfied
Very Satisfied
Not Applicable
10%
a whole, library users were most satisfied with the overall
On average,
respondents spend $19.70 at other places
0% a public library.
when attending
service and staff assistance. Customer satisfaction with
Overall service
Collection
Figure 27
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Perceived Benefit of Public Libraries
Computers/Wi-Fi
Amenity of the building
Library Website
computers/Wi-Fi and meeting rooms and other facilities was
Meeting rooms
Staff assistance
reported
& other
facilitieslower.
Moderate Satisfaction
Unsatisfied
Very Unsatisfied
Not Applicable
90%
80%
Figure
27
Perceived
70% Benefit of Public Libraries
60%
100%
50%
respondents
Percentage of respondents
100%
40%90%
30%80%
20%70%
10%60%
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
45
51+km
10.0%
Figure 25
Estimated
5.0% Induced Expenditure
Pe
Figure 24
Distance Travelled to Library
0.0%
35.0%
6 - 10km
Figure 26
Figure
26
Satisfaction
Rating
Satisfaction Rating
Survey Results
11 - 20km
100%
21 - 50km
90%
Percentage of respondents
6
Percentage of respondents
0 - 5km
80%
51+km
70%
Nothing
$0 - $10 $11 - $20 $21 - $50 over $51
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
60%
0.0%
50%
Nothing
40%
$0 - $10 $11 - $20 $21 - $50 over $51
30%
Figure 20%
26
Satisfaction
10% Rating
0%
100%
Overall service
Collection
Percentage of respondents
90%
80%
Very Satisfied
70%
Satisfied
Computers/Wi-Fi
Amenity of the building
Library Website
Meeting rooms
Staff assistance
& other facilities
Moderate Satisfaction
Unsatisfied
Very Unsatisfied
Not Applicable
60%
6.1.8
Benefits
of Library Services
50%
40%
Survey participants
were asked to consider a number of possible benefits and rank how important those benefits were to
30%
them
over
the
previous
five years. Figure 27 summarises the data. Note that respondents were able to list a range of perceived
Figure 27
20%
benefits
and
the
percentage
is the proportion of users who valued that benefit.
Perceived Benefit of Public Libraries
10%
Key points to note include:
0%
100%
Percentage of respondents
Overall service
Computers/Wi-Fi
of the building
Library Website
~~ The most
valued
benefits related to the facilitation
and encouragementAmenity
of enjoyable
and meaningful pastimes
(over 75%
90%
Collection
Meeting rooms
Staff assistance
of respondents), lifelong learning, hobbies and interests (approximately
65%
of
respondents).
These
benefits
were
rated
& other facilities
80%
significantly higher than other benefits for library users
70%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Moderate Satisfaction
Unsatisfied
Very Unsatisfied
Not Applicable
~~ Finding
information not available elsewhere (39%), supporting children’s education (30%) and fostering a sense of
60%
community
and belonging (31%) were also ranked as major benefits for a significant proportion of survey respondents
50%
~~ Small 40%
proportions (4-11%) of respondents nominated work and business-related benefits, English language skills or
medical/legal
information as major benefits of public libraries.
30%
Figure 20%
27
Figure
27 Benefit of Public Libraries
Perceived
Perceived 10%
Benefit of Public Libraries
Percentage of respondents
He
lp
ed
m
jo e o
b b
or ta
pr in
pr
od M om a n
uc ad oti ew
t e o
En
He ive me n
in
ab
led or lped m mo
st m y j re
m ar
o
e ta ei b
t
m
Su m o g bu pr
pp y c ain sin ov
o om o es e
Su in e rted pu r im s
pp du m te pr
(0 or ca y i r sk ove
to ted tio nvo ills
5 m nal lv
ye y
c e
ar ch ou me
s) ild rs nt
de re es
ve n’s
ch
ild S lopm ea
(in Fac ren up e rly
fo ilit ’s po nt
rm at e rt
al) ed du ed
Cl
l m ca m
A
ar
s ife y ti y
ifie En sis lon pu on
d gl ted g le rsu
m ish m a it
r
y
un lan e t nin of
o g
He or m der gua de
lp ed sta ge ve
ed ic nd s lo
m al in kill p
an e a info g o s
d c rm f le
C /o co
a g
an on r ac mp tio al
d trib hi lis n
m u ev h
ea te e tas
n d g k
co Fo ingf to e oals s
He mm ste ul p njo
lp u re as ya
e n d t b
no d m ity o my ime le
to e
r s s
bt ob be ens
ain ta lon e
g o
a in
H bl in ing f
ho elp e el form
bb ed se a
ies m wh tion
an e to ere
d p
in u
te rs
re ue
st
s
0%
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
Major Benefit
Minor Benefit
No Benefit
20%
10%
He
lp
ed
m
jo e o
b b
or ta
pr in
pr
od M om a n
uc ad oti ew
t e o
En
He ive me n
in
ab
led or lped m mo
st m y j re
m ar
o
e ta ei b
t
m
Su m o g bu pr
pp y c ain sin ov
o om o es e
Su in e rted pu r im s
pp du m te pr
(0 or ca y i r sk ove
to ted tio nvo ills
5 m nal lv
ye y
c e
ar ch ou me
s) ild rs nt
de re es
ve n’s
ch
ild S lopm ea
(in Fac ren up e rly
fo ilit ’s po nt
rm at e rt
al) ed du ed
Cl
l m ca m
A
ar
s ife y ti y
ifie En sis lon pu on
d gl ted g le rsu
m ish m a it
r
y
un lan e t nin of
o g
He or m der gua de
lp ed sta ge ve
ed ic nd s lo
m al in kill p
an e a info g o s
d c rm f le
C /o co
a g
an on r ac mp tio al
d trib hi lis n
m u ev h
ea te e tas
n d g k
co Fo ingf to e oals s
He mm ste ul p njo
lp u re as ya
e n d t b
no d m ity o my ime le
to e
r s s
bt ob be ens
ain ta lon e
g o
a in
H bl in ing f
ho elp e el form
bb ed se a
ies m wh tion
an e to ere
d p
in u
te rs
re ue
st
s
0%
Major Benefit
46
The Library Dividend
Minor Benefit
No Benefit
6.1.9
Public Library Contributions to the Community
Respondents were asked to rate the importance of a number of features of public library services in Queensland.
The importance ranking of these features is included in Figure 28.
Key points to note:
~~ the features of public libraries that were rated as very important included:
-- Being a safe and pleasant place to visit (88%)
-- Facilitating lifelong learning (83%)
-- Improving literacy (77%)
-- Encouraging responsible social behaviour (73%)
-- Ensuring internet access for all (68%).
~~ Attracting new businesses to the community and supporting existing local businesses were ranked with the least
importance out of all library features.
Figure 28
Figure
28
Perceived
Community Contribution
Perceived Community Contribution
100%
90%
Percentage of respondents
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
in
at
ilit
co
En
Im
pr
ov
in
g
lite
ra
Be
Fa
c
in
g
a
sa
fe
an
pl d p
ac le
g
cy
ur
life e to asa
(in
ag
lo vi nt
c
ng si
in
lu
g
di
le t
r
n
es
ar
En
g
p
ni
d
su
on
ig
ng
rin
i
t
sib
a
g
l
l
l
ite
e
Pr
ac
so
ra
om
ce
cy
ci
ss
ot
al
)
in
to
be
g
th
ha
an
e
vio
d
In
en
ur
te
co
rn
et
ur
Pr
ag
fo
ov
Su
ra
in
id
pp
g
in
ll
al
or
g
l li
in
tin
t
f
c
e
o
g
ra
lo om rm
cy
ca m at
Su
i
u
l
o
cu ni n
pp
ltu ty ab
o
re eve ou
En rtin
an nt t
Pr gl g
ov ish the
d s
th
id a d
e
in s e
g a ve
ar
pu 2n lo
ts
Re
bl d pm
ic la e
co
m ng nt
gn
ee ua o
isi g A
tin g f
ng o c
g e
v
t
i
e
th rn ng
sp
e
Su
ac
de me as
pp
es
a
n
m t s
or
an in o
tin
u
f
g lan d fo orm rce
ex g r a o
Fa
ist ua no tio f
ci
in ge n- n
lita
g
lo ma Eng
tin
ca t li
g
l b eria sh
jo
us ls
b
or
in
es
ca
At
se
tra
re
s
e
ct
rp
in
la
g
nn
to new
in
g
th b
e u
co sin
m es
m s
un es
ity
0%
Very Important
Important
Not Important
Don’t Know
One library user highlighted the contribution of public libraries to communities by stating in their survey response:
“Libraries
Figure 29are a great community service for all walks of life; it provides a great place for all and cements people’s love of
books.
NiceCultural
to have
a place to visit that does not cost also, so much of what we do is priced these days.”
Perceived
Contribution
Percentage of respondents
Survey participants were also asked to rate the importance of a number of perceived cultural contributions of public libraries.
100% the results. Maintaining relevant collections was rated as the most important cultural contribution, with 71%
Figure 29 depicts
90% ranking this as very important. This was followed by maintaining local history collections (61%). The provision
of respondents
80% for performances by local musicians, dancers and actors was rated as less important than other cultural
of opportunities
70%
contributions
of public libraries.
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Maintaining
relevant
collections
Maintaining
local history
collections
Providing
opportunities
for exhibiting
Arranging talks Providing
Providing
Building
Socio-economic
value of Queensland
public
libraries
by visiting
opportunities
opportunities
awareness
and
authors
for
for multicultural sharing
47
Re
co
Pr
E
En
co
pr
ov
Im
Very Important
Important
Not Important
Don’t Know
Survey Results
100%
Percentage of respondents
6
Figure
Figure
29 29
Perceived
Cultural
Contribution
Perceived Cultural
Contribution
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Maintaining
relevant
collections
Maintaining
local history
collections
Providing
opportunities
for exhibiting
local artworks
Very Important
Arranging talks Providing
by visiting
opportunities
authors
for
performances
by local
musicians,
dancers and
actors
Important
Providing
opportunities
for multicultural
activities
Not Important
Building
awareness and
sharing
knowledge of
Aboriginal and
Torres Strait
Island heritage
and culture
Don’t Know
6.1.10 Best Things about Public Libraries
Participants of the survey were asked to nominate the best things about the public library service that they use. A variety of
topics were nominated, however a few trends were noticed.
Figure 30
Percentage of respondents
Costdiscussed
Estimate bytopic
Casewas
Study
Library
The Replacement
most frequently
the
range of books and materials available in the library. Of all respondents, 17%
nominated this as the best thing about the library service. Second to that, 12% of respondents nominated borrowing books
and 10% 35.0%
nominated the service they receive when in the library. In total, 5% of all respondents noted that access to the
internet was the best thing about their public library service.
30.0%
6.1.11 Suggested
Improvements to Public Libraries
25.0%
Participants were asked to suggest improvements to the library service. Overall, 30% of participants did not suggest
20.0%
improvements, either because they were happy with the service or that they did not know well enough to comment. Nearly
25% of respondents
suggested that the books and collection provided in libraries should be improved. Other notable
15.0%
suggestions included the extension of opening hours, provision and maintenance of meeting rooms and the inclusion of
10.0%
ebooks into
the borrowing catalogue.
5.0%
6.1.12 Estimated Financial Value of Library Services
0.0%
Survey participants were asked to analyse their typical library use over a 12-month period and nominate how much they would
Specific
Nothing
$1 to
$51 to
$101 to
$251 to
$501 to
More than
have spent if they hadAmount
to buy the services from a private
business.
shows the $500
results.
$50
$100 Figure 30
$250
$750
$750
Key points to note include:
Brisbane
Sunshine Coast
Fraser Coast
Mackay
Mount Isa
Goondiwindi
Paroo
~~ The average replacement cost estimate across all survey respondents was $394
~~ 21.2% of respondents stated that they would have to spend over $750 to receive complementary services from a
private business
Figure 31
Willingness to Pay Estimate by Case Study Library
~~ 19.2% said that they would have spent between $251 and $500
~~ Only 9% said that they would have spent nothing.
40.0%
48
entage of respondents
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
The Library Dividend
15.0%
P
20%
Very Important
10%
Important
Not Important
Don’t Know
0%
Maintaining
relevant
collections
Maintaining
local history
collections
Providing
opportunities
for exhibiting
local artworks
Figure 30
Figure 30
Replacement Cost Estimate by Case Study Library
Replacement Cost Estimate by Case Study Library
Arranging talks Providing
by visiting
opportunities
authors
for
performances
by local
musicians,
dancers and
actors
Providing
opportunities
for multicultural
activities
Building
awareness and
sharing
knowledge of
Aboriginal and
Torres Strait
Island heritage
and culture
Percentage of respondents
35.0%
Very Important
30.0%
Important
Not Important
Don’t Know
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
Figure 30
Replacement Cost Estimate by Case Study Library
10.0%
Percentage of respondents
5.0%
35.0%
0.0%
30.0%
Specific
Amount
Nothing
25.0%
$1 to
$50
20.0%
Brisbane
Sunshine Coast
$51 to
$100
Fraser Coast
$101 to
$250
Mackay
$251 to
$500
Mount Isa
$501 to
$750
Goondiwindi
More than
$750
Paroo
15.0%
6.1.13 Willingness to Pay for Library Services
10.0%
Figure 31
Participants
were asked to nominate how much they would be willing to pay to maintain community access to current library
Willingness
to Pay Estimate by Case Study Library
services.
Figure
5.0% 31 shows the results.
Key points to
note:
0.0%
40.0%
Specific
Nothing
$1 to
$51 to
Percentage of respondents
~~ The average
amount
people were willing to pay$50
was $52 per
year
Amount
$100
35.0%
~~ 32.2% 30.0%
of respondents would be willing to pay up to $25 per year
Brisbane
Sunshine Coast
Fraser Coast
$101 to
$250
Mackay
$251 to
$500
Mount Isa
$501 to
$750
Goondiwindi
More than
$750
Paroo
~~ 22.4% 25.0%
said that they would be willing to pay between $26 and $50 per year
~~ 20.1% 20.0%
would not be willing to pay anything to maintain library service levels.
Figure15.0%
Figure
31 31
Willingness to Pay Estimate by Case Study Library
Willingness
to Pay Estimate by Case Study Library
10.0%
40.0%
5.0%
Percentage of respondents
35.0%
0.0%
30.0%
25.0%
Specific
Amount
Nothing
$1 to $25
per annum
Brisbane
Sunshine Coast
Specific
Amount
Nothing
Brisbane
Sunshine Coast
$26 to $50
per annum
Fraser Coast
$51 to $100 $101 to $250 $251 to $500
per annum
per annum
per annum
Mackay
Mount Isa
Goondiwindi
More than
$500
Paroo
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
$1 to $25
per annum
$26 to $50
per annum
Fraser Coast
$51 to $100 $101 to $250 $251 to $500
per annum
per annum
per annum
Mackay
Mount Isa
Goondiwindi
More than
$500
Paroo
Subsequent to this, participants were asked whether their response was affected by their capacity to pay. Overall, 93.6% of
respondents indicated that their capacity to pay limited their willingness to pay.
It should be noted that Brisbane residents are recovering from a significant flood event which has impacted on household
budgets in 2011 as recovery is ongoing.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
49
6
6.2
Survey Results
Household (Non-User) Survey
Non-users of public library services across Queensland were also surveyed as part of this research, via telephone surveys. In
total, 1,102 Queensland households were surveyed.
Participants were asked when they last used a Queensland public library service, despite nominating themselves as nonusers/non-members. Figure 32 shows the findings.
Key points to note include:
~~ Only 6.3% had used a Queensland public library in the past six months
~~ 65.8% of respondents have used a Queensland public library, but longer than six months ago.
Figure 32
Figure
Last32
Use of Queensland Public Libraries
Last Use of Queensland Public Libraries
Never
More than 6 months ago
In the past 6 months
In the past month
In the past week
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Percentage of Respondents
Similar trends are noticed across all case study regions, with nearly 60% of respondents in all regions using a public library
more than six months ago (Figure 33). In Brisbane, there was a significantly smaller proportion of respondents (10.3%) that had
never used a public library when compared to other regions.
Survey participants were asked why they did not use the public library service (Figure 34). A significant proportion (26.5%) of
respondents in all case study regions highlighted that they believed that the library services were not relevant to them. This
Figure 33
may be attributed to a lack of knowledge about the full range of services available through public libraries.
Last Use of Queensland Public Libraries, by Case Study region
Percentage of Respondents
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Mount Isa
In the past week
Mackay
In the past month
Figure 34
Reasons for Non Use by Case Study region
50
The Library Dividend
80%
Fraser Coast
Sunshine
Coast
In the past 6 months
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
More than 6 months ago
Paroo
Never
Percentage of Respondents
Figure 33
Last Use of Queensland Public Libraries, by Case Study region
80%
PercentagePercentage
of Respondents
of Respondents
Figure
Figure
3333
Last
Use
Queensland
Public
Libraries,bybyCase
CaseStudy
Studyregion
region
Last Use of of
Queensland
Public
Libraries,
70%
60%
80%
50%
70%
40%
60%
30%
50%
20%
40%
10%
30%
0%
20%
Mount Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
10%
0%
In the past week
Mount Isa
In the past week
Sunshine
Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
In the past month
In the past 6 months
More than 6 months ago
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Coast
In the past month
In the past 6 months
Never
Paroo
More than 6 months ago
Never
Figure
34 34
Figure
Reasons
forfor
Non
Use
byby
Case
Study
region
Reasons
Non
Use
Case
Study
region
PercentagePercentage
of Respondents
of Respondents
Figure 3480%
Reasons for
Non Use by Case Study region
70%
60%
80%
50%
70%
40%
60%
30%
50%
20%
40%
10%
30%
0%
20%
10%
Opening hours do
not suit me
I am not elegible for
membership
Library services are
not relevant to me
Library locations
are not convenient
for me
Library
services
are
Sunshine
Coast
not relevant to me
Library
locations GoondiwindiOther Paroo
Brisbane
are not convenient
for me
0%
Opening
hours do
I am notFraser
elegible
for
Mount Isa
Mackay
Coast
not suit me
membership
Other
Other responses included a lack of time, no interest in libraries or reading and purchasing books from private outlets.
Respondents also noted
that
in their local
regions
in inconvenient
Mount
Isa libraries
Mackay
Fraser
Coast wereSunshine
Coast locations.
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Figure 35
Perceived Benefits of Queensland Public Libraries
Support children's education
Figure 35
Support
children's
early Libraries
(0 to 5 years) development
Perceived Benefits
of Queensland
Public
Contribute to enjoyable and meaningful pastimes
help people find information not obtainable elsewhere
Support
children's
education
Facilitate
informal
lifelong
learning
Support
children's
(0 to 5hobbies
years) development
Help
people early
to pursue
and interests
Contribute
to enjoyable
andinmeaningful
Support
involvement
educationalpastimes
courses
help peopleFoster
find information
obtainable
a sense ofnot
community
or elsewhere
belonging
Facilitate
learning
Enable people to
gain or informal
improvelifelong
computer
skills
Help people to pursue
hobbieslanguage
and interests
Assist English
skills
Support
involvement
educational
courses
Help people
accomplish
tasksin and/or
achieve
goals
Foster a sense
of community
belonging
Assist understanding
of legal
or medicineorinformation
Enable people
to gain or job
improve
computer
skills
Contribute to productivity
by supporting
skills and
knowledge
Assist
English
language
skills
Help
people
or start
a business
Help people
tasks
and/or
achieve
goals
Helpaccomplish
people obtain
new
jobs or
promotions
Assist understanding of legal or medicine information
0%
Contribute to productivity by supporting job skills and knowledge
Help people or start a business
Help people obtain new jobs or promotions
Moderate extent
Large extent
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Percentage of Respondents
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
51
Percenta
30%
20%
10%
0%
Mount Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine
Coast
Goondiwindi
Paroo
6
6.2.1
Survey Results
Perceived Benefits of Public Libraries
Brisbane
Participants of the telephone survey were asked to nominate to what extent Queensland public libraries offered a range of
benefits. A wide range of perceived benefits of public libraries were recognised as particularly beneficial (Figure 35) including:
In the past week
In the past month
In the past 6 months
More than 6 months ago
Never
~~ supporting children’s education
~~ supporting early (0 to 5 years) development
Figure 34
~~Reasons
contributing
to Use
enjoyable
meaningful
pastimes
for Non
by Caseand
Study
region
~~ helping people find information not obtainable elsewhere.
80%
Other benefits that were specially noted include:
Percentage of Respondents
70%
~~ facilitating informal lifelong learning
60%
~~ helping people to pursue hobbies and interests
50%
~~ supporting
40%involvement in educational courses
~~ fostering30%
a sense of community or belonging
~~ enabling20%
people to gain or improve computer skills.
Comments 10%
from non-users about what they perceive as benefits of the library acknowledged the value that libraries play in
communities.0%
Some of these comments included:
Opening hours do
I am not elegible for
Library services are
Library locations
Other
“Good for new parents
are away from
family you mix with
other families
friends from socialising,
not who
suit me
membership
not relevant
to me and
arebecome
not convenient
knowledge and reading skills.”
for me
“Libraries are an asset
any town,
they areFraser
as necessary
a groceryCoast
shop.”
MounttoIsa
Mackay
Coast as Sunshine
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
“I just observe because I live in a small community how very many people use it. I believe it fills a huge gap socially where
people are lonely.”
Figure
Figure
3535
Perceived
Benefits
QueenslandPublic
PublicLibraries
Libraries
Perceived
Benefits
of of
Queensland
Support children's education
Support children's early (0 to 5 years) development
Contribute to enjoyable and meaningful pastimes
help people find information not obtainable elsewhere
Facilitate informal lifelong learning
Help people to pursue hobbies and interests
Support involvement in educational courses
Foster a sense of community or belonging
Enable people to gain or improve computer skills
Assist English language skills
Help people accomplish tasks and/or achieve goals
Assist understanding of legal or medicine information
Contribute to productivity by supporting job skills and knowledge
Help people or start a business
Help people obtain new jobs or promotions
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Percentage of Respondents
Large extent
6.2.2
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
Perceived Characteristics of Public Libraries
Figure 36 were asked to indicate their level of agreement with a series of statements about public libraries (Figure 36):
Respondents
Perceived Characteristics of Queensland Public Libraries
~~ 44.4% of respondents strongly agreed that libraries are safe and pleasant places to visit
Being safestrongly
and pleasant
places
visit
~~ a large proportion of respondents
agreed
thattofacilitating
lifelong learning and improving literacy, ensuring internet
Facilitating
lifelong
learning
and
improving
literacy
access for all and encouraging responsible social behaviour were key characteristics of public libraries.
52
Ensuring access to the Internet for all
Encouraging responsible social behaviour
Promoting and encouraging literacy
Supporting local culture and the arts
Providing public meeting places
The Library Dividend
Providing information about community events
Supporting the development of English as a 2nd language
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Percentage of Respondents
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
Figure
Figure36
36
Perceived
Libraries
PerceivedCharacteristics
Characteristicsof
of Queensland
Queensland Public Libraries
Being safe and pleasant places to visit
Facilitating lifelong learning and improving literacy
Ensuring access to the Internet for all
Encouraging responsible social behaviour
Promoting and encouraging literacy
Supporting local culture and the arts
Providing public meeting places
Providing information about community events
Supporting the development of English as a 2nd language
Acting as a source of government information
Recognising the demand for non-English language materials
Facilitating job or career planning
Supporting existing local businesses
Attracting new business to the community
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Percentage of Respondents
Agree Strongly
6.2.3
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t know
Perceived Contribution to Community Culture
Libraries contribute to the community culture in a number of ways. Respondents were asked how important certain
contributions of public libraries were from a non-user perspective. Key points to note (Figure 37):
~~ 62.3% of respondents noted that it is very important that public libraries maintain local history collections
~~ 55.5% of respondents said that maintaining relevant collections was very important
~~ in contrast, the perceived contribution of libraries in providing opportunities for artistic pursuits was considered
less significant.
Figure 37
Perceived Contribution to Community Culture
Figure 37
Perceived Contribution to Community Culture
Maintaining local history collections
Maintaining relevant collections
Providing opportunities for exhibiting local artwork
Arranging talks by visiting authors
Arranging multicultural activities
Providing opportunities for performances by
local musicians, dancers and actors
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Percentage of Respondents
Very Important
Important
Not important
Don’t know
Figure 38
Non-User Willingness to Pay
Nothing
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
53
Figure 37
Perceived Contribution to Community Culture
6
Survey Results
6.2.4Suggested Improvements to
Public Libraries
Non-users of public libraries were asked to suggest
improvements to the library service. Overall many
respondents did not suggest any improvements; most
believed they did not know libraries well enough to
comment. Those that did provide suggestions focused on a
broad range of topics including:
~~ the extension of opening hours
50%
~~ increased flexibility of loan arrangements
60%
70%
~~ advertising of library services
s
6.2.5
Maintaining
relevantthey
collections
Respondents were asked to nominate
how much
would be willing to pay to maintain community access to
ProvidingResults
opportunities
for38)
exhibiting
local
artwork
current library services.
(Figure
showed
that:
visiting
~~ on average, non-users wereArranging
willing totalks
payby$32
per authors
year
for library services
Arranging multicultural activities
~~ 35.6% of non-users would be willing to pay up to $25
per year for libraryProviding
servicesopportunities for performances by
local musicians, dancers and actors
~~ 32.6% of non-users were not prepared to pay anything
for library services
~~ modernisation and refurbishment of facilities.
~~ 15.2% of non-users would be willing to pay $26-$50
per year
Important
Very Important
Some comments included:
~~ 13.1% of non-users would be willing to pay $51-$100
per year
“They should give out more information because I don’t
know much about them, advertise more.”
“I’ve never ever seen anything advertised about a library.
There is a lack of knowledge about what libraries do.”
~~ only 3.5% of respondents were willing to pay over $100
per year for library services.
Figure 38
Figure
38 Willingness to Pay
Non-User
Non-User Willingness to Pay
“I just know that, I don’t go to the library, I don’t have
much to do with it, I know they hold some really good
sessions out here for mothers and little kids and I think
that is brilliant.”
“I just think that image of libraries needs to be modernised
and that, probably to capture young people, the resource
base needs to be updated.”
“I would like to see the length of time extended in relation
Paroo
to the
amount of kilometres a person lives from town. For
example, a longer borrowing time for those living away
from town.”
Goondiwindi
More than 6 months ago
“I would go to the library a couple of times a week if I had
access to one. I place a high value on libraries.”
ary locations
ot convenient
for me
sbane
Never
54
Other
The Library Dividend
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Nothing
$1-$25
Willingness to Pay
“Hours of opening need to be increased to make it more
beneficial to everyone.”
ne
Maintaining
local history
collections
Willingness to Pay
for Library
Services
$26-$50
$51-$100
$101-$250
$251-$500
More than
$500
0%
5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Percentage of Respondents
Non-users across each case study region responded with
similar answers regarding their willingness to pay for library
services. A number of comments were made reiterating that
some of those non-users who are unwilling to pay anything
for library services believe that, through their council rates,
they already indirectly pay for this service.
0%
N
6.3Synopsis
This section of the report provides a summary of the
key facts that have been drawn from both the user and
non- user surveys.
Two separate survey mechanisms were utilised during
the data collection stage of preparing this assessment of
the economic value of Queensland public libraries. These
surveys were to capture information from both library users
and non-users. The library user survey collected information
related to usage practices as well as estimated a broad
economic value from those who utilise library services.
The non-user survey collected information related to library
awareness and perceived value and benefits. Information
that was collected was used to inform both the EIA and CBA
analysis of economic value.
Key results that were drawn from these two surveys include
the following.
The library user survey tells us:
~~ most users visit the library weekly or fortnightly,
i.e. regularly
~~ on average, users spent 37 minutes at the library.
Borrowing activities generated the shortest library visits.
Civic/community meetings, studying and socialising
activities generated much longer visit times
~~ borrowing was the predominant activity at the library.
Overall, 95.9% of users borrowed books or printed
materials and 61.3% borrowed CDs, DVDs or video
during their visits. Importantly, a wide variety of other
activities are also carried out within the library including:
-- reading, watching or listening to library materials
-- accessing the Internet
-- using reference materials
-- making reference enquiries
-- using computers
~~ from a broader community perspective, users believed
libraries make very important contributions: as safe and
pleasant places to visit; by facilitating lifelong learning;
providing internet access for everyone; and encouraging
responsible social behaviour
~~ users stated they were willing to pay an average of $52
per year to maintain community access to current library
services. Most people said that libraries were worth
more than they nominated, but this was all they could
afford to pay
~~ few users suggested improvements to library services.
The most common improvements suggested were
extensions of current practice including extended
collections, computers, internet access and
opening hours.
The survey of Queensland (non-user) households tells
us that:
~~ 65.8% of respondents have used a Queensland public
library, but longer than six months ago
~~ non-users stated they were willing to pay an average of
$32 per year on average, compared with $52 per year
among library users. Most people said that libraries were
worth more than they nominated, but this was all they
could afford to pay
~~ library service benefits that were widely nominated
included: facilitating childhood education as well as
informal lifelong learning, supporting early childhood
development, contributing to enjoyable and meaningful
pastimes and fostering a sense of community
or belonging
~~ many benefits provided by libraries were widely
recognised by broader community members, including:
-- supporting children’s education and
early development
-- helping people obtain information not
available elsewhere
~~ library users generally are well satisfied with services.
Overall service and staff assistance rate higher in terms
of satisfaction than buildings and facilities
-- contributing to enjoyable and meaningful pastimes,
hobbies and interests
~~ library users estimated that they would have to spend an
average $349.62 per year to access library services from
private businesses. This is a significant financial saving
-- fostering a sense of community belonging
~~ in terms of personal experience, library services have
helped customers most with supporting meaningful
pastimes, hobbies and interests and lifelong
learning. Finding information not available elsewhere,
accomplishing tasks/goals and community or belonging
also featured significantly
-- supporting educational courses and lifelong learning
~~ suggestions focused on longer opening hours;
flexible loan arrangements; and raising awareness of
library services.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
55
7
Case Study Results
This section uses the
content of surveys, site visits,
interviews and statistical data
to present a summary of
CBA, EIA and other findings
for the seven library services
studied. It also describes the
value conferred by specific
library programs.
7.1
Case Study Selection
Seven different library services from across Queensland
were selected as case study libraries for the purpose of
assessing the socio-economic value of Queensland’s public
libraries. These case study libraries were selected in order to
establish a profile of various region ‘types’ across the state.
The aim of this process was to develop baseline profiles of
the different types of region across Queensland.
Case study libraries were selected based on their location,
demographic characteristics and socio-economic
characteristics (Table 10). Indeed their selection was made to
facilitate a representative scaling of results to the Queensland
level, which is outlined further in subsequent sections.
Table 10
Case Study Libraries
Library Service
Category
Brisbane
Metropolitan
Sunshine Coast
High Growth Centre
Fraser Coast
Disadvantaged Centre
Mackay
Regional Centre, Stable Population
Goondiwindi
Small Rural Community
(10,000-25,000 population)
Paroo
Declining Community
(less than 5,000 population)
Mount Isa
Resource Segment
7.1.1
Brisbane City Council Library Services
Context
The Brisbane City Council Library Service is the largest
provider of library services to any metropolitan region in
Queensland. There are 33 static service points (library
buildings) across the Brisbane Local Government Area (LGA)
and one mobile library that services eight stops across the
region, as well as providing targeted outreach services.
The Brisbane City Council Library Service branches are
located in the CBD and suburban areas across the region.
These branches are in a variety of physical forms that include
stand-alone buildings and libraries co-located with other
community infrastructure facilities.
The Brisbane LGA is located on the south eastern coastline
of Queensland and covers 1,340.3 square kilometres. It is
part of one of Australia’s fastest growing regions (South East
Queensland), with a current population of approximately
1.067 million people. The population is expected to increase
to approximately 1.27 million people by 2031. The current
library membership base of the libraries is 451,917. This
equates to approximately 42% of the city’s population.
56
The Library Dividend
Figure 39
Brisbane City Libraries Operating Snapshot
Library Service
Brisbane City Council
Area Served
1,340.3 sq km
Population Served
1,067,279
No. of service points
34
Static service points
33 Locations
Other service point
1 Mobile Service
Floorspace
Staff
26,611 sq m
Librarian
Library
Technician
103
Annual visitation
Library
Assistant
73
107
495 with
internet
585,134
hours
booked
Other
Total FTE
283
6,055,209
Membership
451,917
Annual visits
to website
8,628,363
Public PCs
495 total
Resources
Lending Stock
1,287,600
Electronic and
Digital Stock
10,345
Newspaper
and Serials
5,321
Non-lending
Collection
44,341
Programs
Digital
Literacy
Programs
Early and
Family
Literacy
Programs
Young Adult
Literacy
Programs
Adult Literacy
Programs
Multicultural
Awareness
Programs
Other Public
Events &
Learning
Programs
Number
1,689
4,275
41
171
230
1,229
Attendees
5,585
149,988
625
4,013
4,032
21,221
Non-Fiction
DVD/Video
Audio Books
15%
13%
2%
Annual Loans
Proportion of Total
Income vs
Expenditure
Fiction
54%
Income
Music
4%
Other
14%
Expenditure
Council
Contributions
$44,536,938
Materials
$7,611,288
Grants
$3,708,591
Salaries &
Operating
$36,065,866
Other
$1,330,874
Other
$5,899,249
Total
$49,576,403
Total
$49,576,403
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
57
7
Key Issues and Insights
Case Study Results
Brisbane City Council Library Service, while being
sufficiently funded for operation, is limited by the floor space
available within each library facility. While this is the case
for many Queensland public library services, the size and
diverse nature of the library service means that this is a
particular challenge at the smaller libraries. The delivery of
programs, of which the libraries deliver over 7,600 events
each year, is limited due to usable space restrictions.
The Role of the Library and Community Benefits
Consultation with key stakeholders from the Brisbane
City Council Library Service highlighted the important and
diverse role that libraries play within Brisbane. Council’s
libraries are vibrant hubs of the community which aim to be
welcoming, easy to use and convenient to all. The libraries
provide access to information and opportunities for learning,
recreational reading and cultural activities.
The libraries aim to be integrated physical and digital
spaces, embracing the synergy between the local
community and the digital world. This includes people within
Brisbane who would like to improve their literacy or seek
lifelong learning and greater engagement through the use
of technology.
Increasingly, customers are looking for quiet community
space and are choosing libraries as a place to read, reflect,
meet, study or work. In addition, 19 libraries provide
community meeting facilities which are free for use by notfor-profit community groups. Collectively, these meeting
facilities are in high demand and are used for more than
36,000 hours each year.
Brisbane City Council Libraries aim to grow a love of
reading, writing, culture, local history and ideas. An
important and well used function which achieves these
aims is an extensive collection of over 1.3 million items.
There are over 10 million loans to users each year. The
collection includes a wide range of books and multi-media
formats. People from non-English speaking backgrounds
have access to collections in 10 languages and support
for learning English through adult literacy collections. The
libraries also provide in-library and remote access to a range
of databases, eBooks, journals and newspapers, language
and software programs.
Council’s libraries also provide a variety of ways to learn
through reading programs and hands-on experience in
workshops, seminars, events and online learning.
Library outreach activities and services such as the Home
Library Service, foster partnerships and connections
with local community organisations, cultural groups
and individuals.
58
The Library Dividend
One of the other challenges now and into the future is that
libraries will increasingly ‘compete’ for people’s leisure time
requiring libraries to become as sophisticated as other
service providers in providing and promoting digital and
physical services.
There is also a demand for libraries to be open longer hours
to accommodate modern lifestyles.
Future Outlook
The role of the Brisbane City Council Library Service, like
many other Queensland public library services, involves
adapting to the changing demographics and expectations of
the community. The library service will continue to harness
and incorporate the opportunities of digital and mobile
technology into a locally based service.
The future of Brisbane City libraries appears bright, with
commitment from Council to support and grow the library
service within the region. The popularity of Brisbane’s
libraries is expected to continue as the value of their local
positioning and community focus is increasing, and as
services, programs and marketing approaches evolve
alongside modern expectations.
7.1.2Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Library Service
Context
The Sunshine Coast region covers 3,126 sq km and is
serviced by 13 library service points. The Sunshine Coast
Regional Council Library Service consists of 10 static
libraries, as well as three mobile libraries that operate within
the region. This library network services 330,934 residents
and has an overall membership base of approximately onethird of this population (131,772 library members). This library
service is located in an LGA that can be classified as a high
growth centre.
Library branches are located at Beerwah, Coolum Beach,
Caloundra, Nambour, Kawana, Cooroy, Kenilworth,
Maroochydore, Noosa and Maleny. The mobile library
service operates on three separate routes that collectively
includes 43 different stops across the region.
Figure 40
Sunshine Coast Libraries Operating Snapshot
Library Service
Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Area Served
3,126 sq km
Population Served
330,934
No. of service points
13
Static service points
10 Locations
Other service point
3 Mobile Services
Floorspace
Staff
7,967.5 sq m
Library
Technician
Librarian
30
Annual visitation
14
48
83 with
internet
94,005 hours
booked
Other
Total FTE
7
99
Adult Literacy
Programs
Multicultural
Awareness
Programs
Other Public
Events &
Learning
Programs
Music
Other
1,834,049
Membership
131,772
Annual visits
to website
1,389,026
Public PCs
Library
Assistant
151 total
Resources
Lending Stock
Electronic and Digital
Stock
Newspaper
and Serials
Non-lending
Collection
Programs
Number
Attendees
Annual Loans
Proportion of
Total Loans
Income vs Expenditure
472,249
1,127
711
26,750
Digital Literacy
Programs
Early and
Family Literacy
Programs
852
1,120
227
839
2,634
27,220
2,452
15,640
Fiction
Non-Fiction
53%
21%
Income
Young Adult
Literacy
Programs
DVD/Video
10%
Audio Books
2%
5%
9%
Expenditure
Council
Contributions
$14,247,419
Materials
$1,902,999
Grants
$1,605,470
Salaries &
Operating
$11,771,201
Other
$199,128
Other
$992,943
Total
$16,052,017
Total
$14,667,143
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
59
7
The Role of the Library and Community Benefits
Key Issues and Insights
Case Study Results
The role of Sunshine Coast libraries is diverse and aims
to cater to the diverse nature of the Sunshine Coast
community. The Sunshine Coast Library Service provides
a personalised home delivery/pick up service for those
members unable to access the library by other means. This
service, as well as the delivery of many programs, is heavily
reliant on volunteers, of which the Sunshine Coast library
has approximately 350 working on a volunteer basis.
The Sunshine Coast Library Service plays a significant role
in the community as a provider of training and education
services. Sunshine Coast Library Service became a
Registered Training Organisation (RTO) so that it could
offer accredited training to participants in the adult literacy
program. The Sunshine Coast Library Service is the only
library service in Queensland that is an RTO that provides
adult training and education within the library space.
Within this program, there is the scope to deliver two short
accredited courses. As an RTO, Sunshine Coast Library
Service can offer official certificates to the people that
complete accredited training.
Sunshine Coast Library Service has a key focus on
education and the provision of training and tailored
education for Sunshine Coast residents. There is a broad
range of education activities and these are determined
by the demand from library and community members.
This library service partners with various government
departments and other service providers to deliver training
and education programs in order to ‘spread the cost’ and
more effectively deliver these programs to the community.
In addition to partnering with government department and
service providers, the Sunshine Coast Library Service has
forged a number of partnering arrangements with private
enterprises, such as Telstra and Bunnings, to deliver
community education and other programs. This alternative
approach to partnering is an initiative that has the potential
to be mirrored across a number of regions.
The Sunshine Cost Library Service is seen as a key
community resource. It acts as a meeting place, place for
education and training as well as an entry point for new
residents to the region.
60
The Library Dividend
In addition to being an RTO, Sunshine Coast Library Service
offers literacy and numeracy programs (LLN) to adults to
assist them to become functionally literate. This is to ensure
that participants have enough skills to enable them to
participate independently within the community in which they
live; including entering the workforce. The delivery of this
program requires three specialist adult literacy staff, as well as
several trainers and tutors and a large number of volunteers.
In the 2010-2011 financial year, approximately 115 people
were assisted through this program to improve their literacy
and numeracy. Much of this program is delivered on a
one-on-one basis between tutors and participants for three
hours once a week. On average, 33% of LLN participants
achieve a positive employment-related outcome each
year in addition to social benefit conferred. In the 20102011 financial year, approximately 25 participants found
new employment; approximately 40 retained their existing
employment; approximately 10 increased their working
hours; approximately 25 went into further training; and
approximately five became volunteers.
Sunshine Coast Library Service also offers language
education to those residents with a non-English speaking
background (NESB). A volunteer teacher with a Teaching
English Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) qualification
facilitates these classes and volunteer tutors assist. These
classes have an emphasis on getting participants to practice
talking in English and are informal in nature. They have
become very popular, particularly with people who are not
yet Australian residents. It has been noted that these people
do not qualify for any assistance from government, yet they
live and work in local communities. From this, if a participant
becomes a resident they can then enter the library’s funded
(by Queensland State Government, DEEDI) program for
more intensive English language training.
There have been a number of success stories regarding the
outcomes of training and education provided by Sunshine
Coast libraries. Some of these stories include:
A local employer approached the program coordinator.
He had an employee who he thought was a really good
worker. The employer wanted the employee to advance
in the workplace but realised the man’s low literacy level
was holding him back. He gave the employee time off
each week to attend literacy training at his local library.
After 12 months in the program, the man improved his
literacy level to the extent that he has recently put in for a
promotion An unexpected offshoot of this training is that
the man can now read stories to his young children. He
enjoys coming to his local library now as well.
A woman in her early 40s came into the program. She
had originally come from Indonesia 12 years before and
now works in aged care. Her goal was to become an
enrolled nurse. She knew her written English was poor
so we worked on that, increasing her knowledge of
medical words and terminology, as well as building up her
confidence in writing documents. She has now enrolled
in an enrolled nursing course and is in her second year
of study. She occasionally calls in to get assistance with
interpreting a question or an assignment so that she
knows she is answering the question correctly.
Another young man, a teenager, has the goal of becoming
a butcher. He managed to get an apprenticeship with a
local butcher but was put off because his low literacy level
was making him slow and preventing him from doing his
work. He now has a casual job in his local supermarket in
the meat section, where he is hoping to get into another
apprenticeship as a butcher. He travels by bus into
Caloundra from a hinterland town each week to meet with
his tutor at Caloundra Library. His workplace was happy
to arrange his roster to fit in with his tutoring times. The
workplace is keen for him to succeed and the young man
has gained in confidence whilst making a place for himself
in that business.
A woman in her early 50s, a single mother, came into the
program at the beginning of 2011. She was working as a
teacher aide at a local school. She had had literacy issues
all her life but had hidden them. Her teacher aide job
entailed her working in the office, mainly typing up work
written by teachers. This meant she didn’t have to do any
writing herself and could continue to hide her problems.
She was about to be moved into the class room where
she would have to write documents herself and actually
help students with reading and writing. She spent six
months working intensively with a tutor who was a retired
teacher. After that time she felt competent enough to
return to work and accept the transfer to the classroom.
Her work hours were increased and she has coped well
with her job.
This program is a key feature of Sunshine Coast Libraries,
which adds significant value to the region’s community
and economy through the addition of skilled workers into
the workforce and stimulating economic activity. The
education and training services in the region are delivered
in conjunction with various other recreation or capacitybuilding services to the community. The focus on education
and training services of the Sunshine Coast Library Service
is a distinct difference from other public library services
across Queensland.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
61
7
Future Outlook
Case Study Results
Sunshine Coast libraries are highly valued by both the
community and Council. This places the library service in
prime position in the future with support for its continuation
and expansion. A main challenge to this is ensuring Councillor
support and appreciation of the funding required to not only
maintain, but improve services. It has been acknowledged
that the key challenges for Sunshine Coast libraries are to
remain relevant, and increase membership levels.
To better serve the Sunshine Coast community, it has been
noted that the public library service needs to invest time and
money into the following aspects:
~~ better understanding existing customers, the
services, the value and what services would improve
their experience
~~ understanding of why there are non-users and
determining ways to convert them into library users
~~ updating of staff skill sets and enhancing understanding
of contemporary expectations of customer service and
availability of materials
~~ more professional development for staff in retail
management, predicting customer needs, demand
management and logistics
~~ gaining an enhanced understanding of needs for
libraries to provide non-traditional activities
~~ identifying and working with partners on a long-term
basis rather than small, on off relationships – developing
lifelong partners
~~ working on providing library activities in nonlibrary venues
~~ better marketing and promotion of existing services
and activities
~~ better understanding of Council budgeting processes
and enhancing planning for 3-5 years in advance,
including asset management plans to better enable
capital works planning for refurbishment, rehabilitation
and replacement of assets
~~ planning processes which result in physical libraries that
are more flexible and able to be adapted as future uses
of libraries change
~~ enhanced sharing of resources, standardisation of
processes, software platforms and delivery methods
~~ enhanced understanding of translating what libraries
do into language that politicians appreciate, prompting
increased support for libraries.
The growth of the Sunshine Coast Library Service will
be enhanced due to the support and enthusiasm from
community members and Council staff. As mentioned
during consultation:
“Libraries, if managed appropriately, will be key players in
the future of our societies.”
62
The Library Dividend
7.1.3Fraser Coast Regional Council
Library Service
Context
The Fraser Coast Regional Council Library Service operates
in a region that covers 7,116.7 sq km and a total regional
population of 102,080. Of this population, 34,837 people are
active library members.
There are six library services points with static library
branches located at Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Burrum,
Howard and Tiaro, and a Toy Library and Special Needs
Centre located at Maryborough. There is no mobile service,
however outreach services are provided to local residents
that are unable to visit the library facility. This is facilitated by a
number of local volunteers.
The Fraser Coast is a region that has a higher proportion
of elderly residents compared to Queensland averages.
It is representative of a disadvantaged centre due to its
high proportion of individuals earning below the Australian
median income. In the Fraser Coast, the median individual
income in $343 compared to $466 for Australia.
Figure 41
Fraser Coast Libraries Operating Snapshot
Library Service
Fraser Coast Regional Council
Area Served
7,166.7 sq km
Population Served
102,080
No. of service points
6
Static service points
5 Locations
Other service point
Outreach Services
Floorspace
Staff
3,818 sq m
Library
Technician
Librarian
6
Annual visitation
Library
Assistant
Other
4
12
36 with
internet
35,610 hours
booked
Total FTE
1
22
267,896
Membership
34,837
Annual visits
to website
No Statistics
Available
Public PCs
36
Resources
Lending Stock
224,828
Electronic and
Digital Stock
514
Newspaper
and Serials
148
Non-lending
Collection
Programs (Annual)
2,566
Digital Literacy
Programs
Early and
Family Literacy
Programs
28
517
5
56
1
3
264
8,676
11
1,716
30
59
Number
Attendees
Annual Loans
Proportion of Total
Income vs Expenditure
Fiction
Non-Fiction
49%
39%
Income
Young Adult
Literacy
Programs
Adult Literacy
Programs
DVD/Video
4%
Audio Books
Multicultural
Awareness
Programs
Music
3%
Other Public
Events & Learning
Programs
Other
1%
5%
Expenditure
Council
Contributions
$2,179,753
Materials
$532,074
Grants
$769,951
Salaries &
Operating
$1,635,109
Other
$70,199
Other
$515,518
Total
$3,019,903
Total
$2,682,701
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
63
7
The Role of the Library and Community Benefits
Case Study Results
The Fraser Coast Council’s key aspirations are: a diverse
and innovative prosperous region; a liveable, healthy and
happy community; and a smart, sustainable community
focused organisation. Key stakeholders from Fraser Coast
libraries and Council outlined the importance of their library
service to local communities and how the library service is
delivering on the Council’s key aspirations. They highlighted
that libraries are community meeting places, providers of
services for those who cannot afford technology and also
to those that are less information-literate. The library’s role
extends to providing best practice public access to all webbased information and contact with government agencies,
community agencies and social networks through informed
professional staff.
There are many programs that are delivered through
Fraser Coast libraries. These programs are targeted to
all demographic groups within the region, with the aim of
increasing literacy, fostering an interest in lifelong learning
as well as supporting social, cultural and recreational
endeavours, contributing positively to developing a healthy
and happy community.
The role of Fraser Coast libraries also extends into acting as
a tourist information centre. Like many other library services
across the state, many visitors go to the library to seek
local information and guidance. Tourism is a key economic
driver for the region and the library service actively promotes
regional activities, programs and attractions to visitors to
the region.
Key Issues and Insights
The Fraser Coast Library Service is a provider of spaces
and cultural experiences that the community can utilise for
a variety of purposes free of charge. The Hervey Bay library
in particular is well-positioned near to other community
infrastructure, i.e. an art gallery and community centre, and
serves a higher community provisioning purpose. Library
staff acknowledge that a large proportion of members use
the library as part of their daily or weekly routine. This habit
and lifestyle, particularly of older residents, is a key source of
normality and wellbeing that is highly valued.
The libraries in Fraser Coast are a key source of internet
for the community. Many people utilise the free internet
service, particularly those accessing the library at the
Hervey Bay branch. With 43.5% of homes with no Internet
access according to the 2009 Council Economic Profile,
the only source of free internet is at the local library branch.
The internet bandwidth currently utilised by Fraser Coast
libraries needs to be increased to continue to adequately
cater for demand now and into the future, as this remains an
essential and growing service.
A number of issues were highlighted as impacting on the
delivery of library services in the Fraser Coast region. Firstly,
funding was a consistent point raised during discussions.
64
The Library Dividend
It was acknowledged that during times of increasing
economic uncertainty, the ability of libraries to ‘compete’ for
funding at the council, state and federal level is becoming
increasingly difficult. Maintaining the current funding base
and the potential to increase alternative funding sources is of
key importance to the Fraser Coast Library Service.
Other issues relate to the changing role and function of
staff. There is a need for professional librarians to source
and purchase quality resources, and develop and deliver
quality programming and services. These services are
being delivered both face-to-face and through online
mechanisms. There is a need to improve staff skills and the
awareness of library users of the various ways to access
services. Volunteers are highly valued by the Fraser Coast
Library Service given the roles they play in the day-to-day
functioning of the library extending the capacity of the
available staffing base.
Programming that is undertaken in the Fraser Coast libraries
caters for the demographics of the region and provides a
diverse range of cultural and learning activities. There is
a focus on the provision of programs for children, as well
as learning and cultural activities for those that are retired
or of an older age. Guest speakers and other specialised
events are selected to correlate with demand, identified
opportunities and previous attendance statistics.
Future Outlook
Significant potential exists for the libraries of the Fraser
Coast to be co-located with other community and cultural
facilities. The Hervey Bay library in particular is located
in an area near to significant space and existing cultural
and community assets. Any redevelopment of the library
or remaining civic space should utilise the existing colocation advantages. The potential joint use of libraries and
community spaces should be explored to determine the
potential value of such ventures.
The future of the Fraser Coast library service should be
underpinned by the growth of programming for the 0-4 year
old market, as well as the expansion of technology training
programming to address the existing digital literacy gap
for older residents. These two service lines have the most
potential to better serve the community into the near future.
The growth in young families entering the region, due to the
lower costs of living, will need to be catered for, as will the
significant proportion of retired and older residents.
The protection and eventual expansion of library services
in the Fraser Coast is of key importance to the community
and library staff. It was aptly stated during consultation by a
Fraser Coast library staff member that:
“The longevity of libraries needs to be protected because
they have such a high community value.”
7.1.4
Mackay Regional Council Library Service
Context
The Mackay region has a population and economy based on
resource activity within the region. Its population is relatively
stable with a projected population to be near to 200,000
by 2031. The Regional Council has a number of strategic
priorities that includes the provision of a diverse range of
community services that encourages active participation
in community life. The library service delivers services to
the region through five static libraries and a mobile library.
These libraries are located at Mackay City, Gordon White,
Walkerston, Mirani and Sarina. The mobile library service
operates across 24 stops within the region each fortnight.
The Role of the Library and Community Benefits
Mackay libraries play an important role in the local and wider
community providing family-friendly, cultural and learning
activities. The region has a high proportion of transient
workers due to the dominance of the resource industry
within the region. For many, after the local council office, the
library is the ‘go to’ for local information and an introduction
to the community, which is essential as the region is
experiencing such high growth. Community satisfaction
surveys in the region have highlighted the value that the
Mackay community places on library services consistently
scoring over eight out of 10 for both the importance of the
service and satisfaction with the delivery of the service.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
65
7
Figure 42
Mackay Regional Libraries Operating Snapshot
Case Study Results
Library Service
Mackay Regional Council
Area Served
7,622 sq km
Population Served
115,677
No. of service points
6
Static service points
5 Locations
Other service point
1 Mobile Service
Floorspace
Staff
3,362
Library
Technician
Librarian
7
Annual visitation
Membership
Annual visits to
website
Public PCs
Library
Assistant
1
25
40 with
internet
37,364 hours
booked
Other
Total FTE
1
34
Adult Literacy
Programs
Multicultural
Awareness
Programs
Other Public
Events &
Learning
Programs
399,643
43,313
140,950
42 total
Resources
Lending Stock
160,830
Electronic and
Digital Stock
106
Newspaper
and Serials
183
Non-lending
Collection
Programs
9,885
Digital Literacy
Programs
Early and
Family Literacy
Programs
18
325
2
9
960
15,562
400
1,271
Number
Attendees
Annual Loans
Proportion of Total
Income vs Expenditure
66
The Library Dividend
Fiction
Non-Fiction
66%
15%
Income
Young Adult
Literacy
Programs
DVD/Video
10%
Audio Books
Music
3%
Other
5%
Expenditure
Council
Contributions
$3,791,940
Materials
$484,212
Grants
$493,082
Salaries and
Operating
Costs
$3,185,974
Other
$93,846
Other
$26,658
Total
$4,378,868
Total
$3,696,844
1%
The libraries play a key role for the partners, wives and
children of resource workers working on shift schedules.
Many of these people use the library to socialise or attend
children’s and youth-focused activities, generating a sense
of belonging to a new community. These programs can act
as the first step in building relationships for people new to
the region or those only in the region for a limited project life.
Mackay libraries are also the sole source of internet
in a number of smaller communities within the region.
Approximately 40% of community members do not have
internet connections at their home, so the library plays an
important role in this regard. Outreach services via the
mobile library ensure that programs are delivered in all
locations, not just in the major towns ensuring equity of
access for community members in remote locations.
The climate in Mackay can be an inhibitor to many free
outdoor activities during the warmer months. The library
is frequently used as a cultural destination with a range of
activities to escape from the heat and rain. Many of the more
disadvantaged residents of the region value the ability to be
in a comfortable space, free of charge, without judgement.
Mackay library service has a flexible membership for
non- residents due to the high proportion of transient workers.
These temporary memberships are usually granted for the
term of the employment contract. This is a key mechanism
employed by the Mackay library service to ensure that library
membership and access to library services is available to the
whole community, not just permanent residents; promoting
equitable access and community participation for all.
Key Issues and Insights
Some of the key issues surrounding the delivery of library
services in the Mackay region relate, like in other regions, to
funding, staffing, and the pace of technology change.
Many local governments and library services have
competing priorities with less income from various
levels, but the service expectations have not declined.
Consequently, there is a demand for a much broader range
of library services with little or no extra funding, training or
staff. This strain places pressure on how effectively library
services can be delivered. It is necessary to ensure that the
delivery of library services is maintained, as they are highly
valued and expected by the community.
There is also an identified need to increase the use and
integration of new media and technology within the Mackay
library service. A recognised gap in the service delivery by
library management and staff is the improved utilisation of
social media. The library service is positioned to lead the
way for Council communication with the community through
social media if Council can free up access to this medium.
Digital literacy and technology programming is also in high
demand and should be prioritised for improvement.
The role of library staff has progressed over time from
a ‘transactional’ role to a ‘value-adding’ role, with the
growth of programming delivered through the library, and
the strategic direction of Council to provide increased
opportunities for participation in community life. The impact
on staff capacity and skills has lead to increased training
and support to ensure that community expectations and
identified needs are being met.
Overall, survey feedback from Mackay library users
highlighted a high degree of satisfaction. Some comments
from Mackay library users highlighting the broader value of
public libraries in their region include:
~~ Libraries act as a hub where community members
can come together not only for social activities but to
pursue personal interests and continue on their path of
lifelong learning
~~ The library is the most important of our community
services as it provides, recreation, education and fosters
a sense of community and does it all for free.
Future Outlook
The continued development of libraries in the Mackay region
remains a high priority for Council. Emphasis will be given
to developing the outlying libraries so that they are brought
to the service level of the Mackay Central and Gordon
White libraries. This dedication by Council to these libraries
highlights the significant value placed on these core aspects
of community infrastructure.
A further identified need for libraries in the Mackay region
is to have longer, more flexible opening hours in the future.
This will be beneficial for those library members who are on
irregular shift schedules.
Capacity exists to incorporate Council Customer Service
Centres within the libraries in the region, particularly in the
new library to be located in the Northern Beaches area of
Mackay. Investigations are underway by Council exploring
the potential for the co-location of education facilities in this
new library also.
Potential linkages with Council Community Development
teams have been highlighted as a significant opportunity for
the future promotion and support of libraries within Mackay.
This collaboration has the ability to ensure that the full range
of services that the libraries offer is promoted at every
opportunity, particularly for new residents to the region and
that Council officers also utilise the significant community
reach of the library service for improved communication and
civic engagement.
It is positive that the Council considers the library as a ‘core
service’ and will place significant priority on ensuring the
service will have the resources to adequately service the
growing and changing population of the region. A potential
expansion of the library service to seven days a week, as
well as a shift in opening hours are mechanisms that may be
implemented to better service shift workers that are living in
the region.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
67
7
7.1.5
Case Study Results
Context
Mount Isa City Council Library Service
Mount Isa is located in central northern Queensland and is significantly influenced by the resource sector, both with respect
to the economy and the residents of the region. There is a mine located within five kilometres of the CBD of Mount Isa. The
region covers 43,314.1 sq km and has a resident population of 22,091. Of this population, 11,326 (51.3%) are members of the
Mount Isa library.
Figure 43
Mount Isa Libraries Operating Snapshot
Library Service
Mount Isa City Council
Area Served
43,314 sq km
Population Served
22,091
No. of service points
1
Static service points
1 Location
Other service point
Outreach Services
Floorspace
Staff
1,271 sq m
Library
Technician
Librarian
2
Annual visitation
74,137
Membership
11,326
Annual visits
to website
No Statistics
Available
Public PCs
10
Library
Assistant
Other
2
1
10 with internet
11,013 hours
booked
Early and
Family Literacy
Programs
Young Adult
Literacy
Programs
Total FTE
3
8
Adult Literacy
Programs
Multicultural
Awareness
Programs
47
47
2
2,542
390
Resources
Lending Stock
60,301
Electronic and
Digital Stock
251
Newspaper
and Serials
Non-lending
Collection
Programs
84
1,371
Digital Literacy
Programs
Number
Attendees
Annual Loans
Proportion of Total
Income vs Expenditure
68
The Library Dividend
Fiction
Non-Fiction
42%
DVD/Video
13%
Income
21%
Other Public
Events & Learning
Programs
5
321
Audio Books
Music
3%
Other
5%
Expenditure
Council
Contributions
-
Materials
$81,653
Grants
$129,508
Salaries and
Operating
Costs
$540,687
Other
$30,104
Other
$50,327
Total
$159,612
Total
$672,667
16%
The Role of the Library and Community Benefits
Key Issues and Insights
The Mount Isa library plays a key role as an introduction to
the region for visitors and new residents. The region has a
highly transient workforce which results in a large number of
people new to the region (i.e. frequent revolving population).
The library acts as the first ‘port of call’ for finding out about
the region as noted by one Mount Isa library user:
A number of issues was raised during consultation
that impact on the delivery of library services in the
Mount Isa region.
“We moved from overseas with very little and the library
was fantastic, both for resources and helping us integrate
into the community.”
To facilitate the introduction of new families and children
into the region, as well as to support those that are longtime residents of Mount Isa, the library has developed a
toy library. The Mount Isa library has a wide range of toys
available for borrowing, which is frequently used and highly
valued. The toy library offers an out-of-town distribution
service to those library patrons in the hinterland region,
outlying towns and pastoral stations. A key use of the toy
library is to provide disabled children with toys and materials
to supplement and support therapy programs. These
types of educational and rehabilitation toy materials are not
available through any other distributor in Mount Isa.
The library also hosts a broad range of children’s programs,
which are delivered predominantly on a weekly basis. The
children’s programs not only benefit the children, but provide
parents with opportunities to socialise and integrate into
the community.
The retention of high quality staff is particularly hard for
Mount Isa libraries due to the potential to earn high wages
in the resources sector, which is actively recruiting for
skilled labour. There is a need to create an attractive work
environment and benefits that can compete with the
earnings potential available in the resources sector.
The library website and other IT processes have been noted
as causing significant issues with the delivery of library
services in the region. Library managers, staff and users
acknowledged that technology was a key issue for Mount
Isa library. The system presently functions at a rate that is
far slower than acceptable. In addition, there is a significant
demand for the introduction of Wi-Fi services into the
library facility.
The library in Mount Isa plays an important role due to the
vast distances and dispersed nature of the settlements in
the region. Unfortunately, the remote nature of this region
results in high travel costs; limiting the capacity for the library
to host authors or other travelling exhibitions or programs.
Improved access to technology and digital media would
enable the library service to stream programs offered
elsewhere and to provide alternative access to cultural and
learning opportunities.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
69
7
Future Outlook
Case Study Results
The Mount Isa library building sustained significant structural
damage in a storm event in October 2011, with library
services being delivered from temporary premises for up
to 12 months while the building is repaired. The building
restoration project will also incorporate a refurbishment so
that the library building can be better utilised and maintained
to standard. Following this refurbishment, the library will
have the potential to cater for the diverse community more
effectively. Council holds the library in high regard, as
highlighted by the CEO when he acknowledged that the
library is an essential service that must be maintained and
advanced into the future.
Council is investigating establishing relationships with other
enterprises in the region. Council will support partnering
arrangements with local schools, as this would promote
improved social and literacy outcomes while simultaneously
increasing awareness of library services through
multiple channels.
The library service is highly dependent on lifestyle changes
and the programs and scale at which library services are
delivered are demand-driven. More support and active
promotion of library services is required from Council, i.e. to
ensure that the community is aware of the library service to
enable its future growth.
Through the improved use of technology and the
support and growth of programming, Mount Isa library
has the capacity to contribute positively to the wider
Mount Isa region. The promotion of the library service
throughout the region will improve equity of access for all
community members.
70
The Library Dividend
7.1.6Goondiwindi Regional Council
Library Service
Context
Goondiwindi Regional Council local government area is
located on the border with New South Wales and has a
population of 11,417 and covers 19,284 square kilometres. It
can be described as a stable rural region with an economy
focused on agriculture. The Regional Council recognises
that arts and culture are an integral part of the life of the
community and is committed to improving and developing
arts and cultural activities. There are three libraries in the
region located in Goondiwindi, Texas and Inglewood. These
facilities are supplemented with a flexible home and regional
delivery service to remote properties and those unable to
access the library itself.
The Goondiwindi Regional Council Library Service has a
membership base of 5,744 (50.3% of local population).
Due to its location on the state border, up to 10% of library
members are classified as ‘non-resident members’, as their
residential address is in New South Wales.
The Goondiwindi Regional Council Library Service is
classified as a ‘Rural Libraries Queensland’ (RLQ) library,
as it is in a local government area with less than 15,000
population (see page 17). RLQ libraries rely heavily on
the services provided by State Library, especially for
collections, access to professional development and
professional expertise.
Figure 44
Goondiwindi Regional Libraries Operating Snapshot
Library Service
Goondiwindi Regional Council
Area Served
19,284 sq km
Population Served
11,417
No. of service points
3
Static service points
3 Location
Other service point
Outreach Services
Floorspace
Staff
Annual visitation
Membership
Annual visits to
website
663 sq m
Library
Technician
Librarian
Library
Assistant
Other
Total FTE
3.75
3.75
Adult Literacy
Programs
Multicultural
Awareness
Programs
Other Public
Events & Learning
Programs
Music
Other
35,914
5,744
No Statstics
Available
Public PCs
7
7 with internet
917 hours
booked
Resources
Lending Stock
20,229
Electronic and
Digital Stock
-
Newspaper and
Serials
586
Non-lending
Collection
332
Programs
Digital Literacy
Programs
Early and
Family Literacy
Programs
Number
Attendees
Annual Loans
Proportion of Total
Income vs Expenditure
Fiction
20
8
587
90
Non-Fiction
67%
Young Adult
Literacy
Programs
14%
Income
DVD/Video
7%
Audio Books
5%
0%
6%
Expenditure
Council
Contributions
$348,200
Materials
$4,607
Grants
$2,010
Salaries &
Operating
$317,728
Other
$7,035
Other
$3,055
Total
$357,245
Total
$325,390
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
71
7
The Role of the Library and Community Benefits
Key Issues and Insights
Case Study Results
The Goondiwindi Regional Council Library Service is a
key piece of community infrastructure that operates as
an important information hub within the town centre, and
in the regional areas of Texas and Inglewood. The library
in Goondiwindi is located near to the centre of town, in a
building adjoining the Tourist Information Centre.
Continually advancing technology was a key issue raised
during consultation that is impacting on the delivery of
library services. The library service currently operates
with technology that is out-dated and inefficient. There is
demand from library managers and staff to ‘keep up with
the times’ and invest in electronic resources and improved
library management technology.
Libraries in the Goondiwindi Regional Council Library Service
(Goondiwindi, Inglewood and Texas) play a significant role
in their communities. They provide a source of information,
recreation, social interaction and capacity building. The
libraries provide access to physical resources as well as
promote particular programs in their communities that
contribute to a vibrant and healthy community life. Library staff
are very proactive in promoting the libraries and the services
that they provide. There are many programs and events that
are undertaken to promote the region and ‘add a little life’ into
the library service and how it is perceived in the community.
Testament to this is the consistent high participation of all
programs delivered through the libraries, with the children’s
programs proving to be consistently highly popular.
The library service also provides a significant outreach
program to library members living in remote locations
delivering on Council’s aspiration for social equity and
community participation. The home delivery service
operates in the Goondiwindi region for residents unable
to visit the library themselves. In addition to this service,
the regional delivery service is utilised by library members
that live too far from a town to justify frequent library visits.
This service includes the selection and postage of multiple
books, DVDs and other library resources to particular
regional properties and families. This is an invaluable
service that the library provides to isolated members of the
community. These programs and services are also available,
though limited, through the Texas and Inglewood libraries.
The Goondiwindi library’s collaboration with the McIntyre
Young Writers is another key feature of the library service
in the region in the provision of cultural activities. This
collaboration has resulted in a number of author visits and
particular promotional events, like ‘River Reade’ - an event
to encourage men/dads to read to children and visit the
library. This collaboration is particularly beneficial for the
library as events and activities are hugely popular, and result
in an improved awareness of the library service, increased
community participation and active civic engagement.
The libraries in the Goondiwindi region provide a significant
social outlet for many people that live and work in more
remote locations. Practical information can be sourced
from the library, as well as socialising opportunities which
enhance the well-being of individual community members
and the whole community. The diversity in how the
libraries in this region are used is particularly positive. The
contribution and importance of the library to the community
is unique and cannot be replaced by any other community
facility in the region. The scope of services is not available
through other existing mechanisms.
72
The Library Dividend
A substantial issue that was raised during consultation was
that there is a significant lack of space in the Goondiwindi
Regional Council libraries to deliver programs or other
services effectively and to cater for increasing attendance.
At present, there are no meeting rooms available for use
at any of the three libraries. Space within each of the three
libraries is a key issue with a need to prioritise collections
and their size to meet space limitations.
At present, there is no web catalogue for the library
service. This limits the effectiveness of library service
delivery, as staff are more often utilised to undertake tasks
that could easily be replaced through the integration of
appropriate technology.
It was noted by both Council and library staff that there is
a need for more effective promotion of the library, i.e. to
ensure that all community members are aware of the full
scope of services that the libraries provide. The Goondiwindi
library’s position away from the main street has proven to
be a limiting factor in the community’s awareness of the
library service.
Future Outlook
Goondiwindi Regional Council is currently in the process of
readjusting its funding priorities. Unfortunately, with many
natural weather events in recent years taking a toll on the
region, libraries have slipped in terms of Council’s priorities.
The worth and benefit of libraries are well acknowledged
by the Council, however budget strains have forced little
or no increase in funding in the last financial year. It is
anticipated that this tight fiscal position will remain for the
foreseeable future.
Opportunities exist for the libraries within the region to
partner with local schools to provide joint programming
and resources. Like many other library services across
the state, Goondiwindi sees the advantage of establishing
these partnering arrangements to better promote the library
within the region. This can better position libraries to seek
extra funding and serve a capacity-building function within
the community.
With commitment from Council and the ongoing promotion
of services, Goondiwindi Regional Council Library
Service can continue to provide invaluable services to the
community across the region.
7.1.7
Paroo Shire Council Library Service
Context
Paroo Shire is located in south western Queensland and
covers 47,668 sq km. The region is home to 1,951 residents
and 497 active library users5. The economy of the region
has a strong agricultural base with stock grazing and grain
production the key industries. The population of Paroo has
been declining in recent years, an indication of the changing
nature of rural regions.
There are three libraries located in Paroo Shire. The
main library is located in Cunnamulla and small libraries
are located at Yowah and Wyandra. The region itself is
significantly isolated from other areas. It is approximately
three hours’ drive to the nearest major town (Charleville).
Paroo Shire library service is a Rural Libraries Queensland
library (see page 17).
5 T
his number indicates those library members who have used the
library in the last three years. This data has been sourced directly
from the Library Manager of Cunnamulla Library.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
73
7
Figure 45
Paroo Shire Libraries Operating Snapshot
Case Study Results
Library Service
Paroo Shire Council
Area Served
47,688 sq km
Population Served
1,951
No. of service points
3
Static service points
3 Location
Other service point
Outreach Services
Floorspace
Staff
275 sq m
Library
Technician
Librarian
Library
Assistant
1
Annual visitation
Total FTE
4
5
15,575
Membership
497 active
users last 3
years
2,057
Annual visits to
website
Other
No Statstics
Available
Public PCs
2
2 with internet
531 hours
booked
Resources
Lending Stock
Non-lending
Collection
Programs
10,723
142
Digital Literacy
Programs
Early and
Family Literacy
Programs
Number
Attendees
Annual Loans
Proportion of Total
Income vs Expenditure
Fiction
Adult Literacy
Programs
Multicultural
Other Public
Awareness Events & Learning
Programs
Programs
11
1
1
360
22
4
Non-Fiction
69%
Young Adult
Literacy
Programs
DVD/Video
9%
Income
6%
Audio Books
Music
7%
Other
0%
9%
Expenditure
Council
Contributions
-
Materials
-
Grants
$6,478
Salaries &
Operating
$193,346
Other
$4,221
Other
-
Total
$10,699
Total
$193,346
The Role of the Library and Community Benefits
The library service in Paroo Shire is highly valued by the local community. The remote locations of rural properties can isolate
residents and limit opportunities for extended social interaction and access to information resources and recreational material.
The libraries in Paroo provide the space and mechanisms to encourage and foster interaction, reducing the occurrence
of social isolation for those people that live remotely. While these residents may only travel to a library occasionally, the
opportunity to do so is highly valued. For this reason, the outreach and home delivery service provided by library staff, many
of whom deliver books to residents in their own time, is critical in building these social connections, fostering a sense of
community inclusion and providing access to resources.
74
The Library Dividend
Some views of library users in Paroo include:
“We live in a remote area that does not have the resources
available to us that you would get in a bigger populated
area. Our library is very important to our small community.”
“Going to the library is important to me, as I have a
disability and this encourages me to get out of the house
and socialise.”
The libraries provide a place to visit and materials to
use during times of rural hardship such as drought and
other natural phenomena. Community mental health and
wellbeing has benefitted from the existence of the library in
the past for this very reason. It provides an outlet for those
that are struggling to access resources, provide a positive
alternative activity from daily hardship and those desiring a
social atmosphere.
The library in Cunnamulla is important to many residents as
a source of information about their health. The availability of
doctors and other medical professionals within the region is
severely limited due to its remote location. As a result, many
residents use medical journals and reference material to gain
understanding of their medical conditions and diagnoses.
This library fills this gap in service delivery for those living in
this remote region.
For many, access to the internet is particularly valued;
highlighted by one Paroo library user who stated that the
library is:
“The only place in town that offers public internet access”.
The availability of audio books and electronic book readers
is a key service that is valued by a large number of library
members. Compared to the Queensland average, there is
a high proportion of people in Paroo Shire that have literacy
issues. The use of audio books and electronic readers
bridges the gap and provides these residents with literacy
tools. Audio books are also especially popular for those
members that are commuting long distances to other towns
within Western Queensland.
Key Issues and Insights
The facilities that house libraries in Paroo Shire are in need
of significant capital works. Both library staff and Council’s
Chief Executive Officer acknowledged that significant
investment is required to ensure that the buildings are
brought to a functional level. There are sections of the
Cunnamulla library that have been deemed as ‘unsafe’ by
inspectors. This unusable space is a significant hindrance
to the delivery of programs and activities. This sentiment
is reflected by a number of Paroo library users with many
remarks being much like the following:
“The library could use an upgrade or renovations to
increase space”.
Attracting professional library staff is also a challenge for
Paroo Shire Libraries. The majority of young people relocate
from the region to more urban areas, mostly to access
employment or education opportunities. Therefore, it is
becoming increasingly difficult to find suitably qualified staff to
work in the libraries. There is a need to ensure that adequate
training and incentives are provided to address this.
Paroo Shire libraries have not yet integrated technologies
into everyday processes. Currently, there are separate
collection catalogues for the three library branches in the
Shire. This is a major inefficiency that could be improved
through the integration of appropriate technology and
training for staff. Plans to shift to a combined ‘Aurora 4’
system are currently being investigated by Council and State
Library of Queensland.
There are vast differences between the urban and regional
experience when it comes to public libraries. People living
in Paroo Shire have very different requirements and uses
of a library compared to library users in Brisbane or other
major urban areas. It is important that these varying needs
are catered for and supported through the specialisation
of services and programs that are provided through the
regional library service.
Future Outlook
The future of Paroo Shire libraries is dependent on the ongoing
commitment by Council. At present, the library service in
Paroo Shire is of a lower priority compared to other Council
responsibilities. It is therefore imperative that alternative
partnering arrangements and funding sources are developed
and maintained if the viability of libraries is to be secured.
The Paroo Shire CEO highlighted that the value of libraries in
the region is recognised, but with a declining rates base due
to diminishing population levels, trade-offs need to be made
amongst the variety of service lines that fall within Council’s
mandate (e.g. road maintenance and rubbish collection).
Despite a somewhat bleak outlook for Paroo Shire libraries
with respect to funding, staff are enthusiastic and dedicated
to providing the best services and programs possible for the
community. A number of techniques have been identified to
highlight the value of libraries in the shire, including promoting
the library more within the community and to Council.
Partnering opportunities could also be explored with other
community and government services within the region.
Further action is needed to push the integration and
utilisation of technology and technical equipment. Through
Rural Libraries Queensland arrangements, Paroo Shire
libraries have a number of items of new technology that are
available for borrowing by library members. However, there
appears to be a hesitation towards utilising these resources
by community members. In the short term, priority should
be given to repairing library facilities so that the full range of
programs and services can be delivered to the community in
suitable spaces within the library.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
75
7
7.2
Case Study Results
Library Programs
Library programs are delivered to communities with the
aim of improving literacy, building capacity and providing
recreational and cultural opportunities. The programs that
are delivered through Queensland public libraries can be
classified as follows:
~~ early, children’s and family literacy
~~ young adult and youth literacy
~~ adult literacy and training
~~ digital literacy
~~ multicultural awareness
~~ home library service
~~ other public events and programs.
The programs that are delivered through libraries under
these categories are diverse in nature. Local library services
are responsible for delivering programs based on demand
and which align with the requirements of the community
within their particular region.
This analysis of library programs is drawn from an analysis
of programs that are delivered through the case study
libraries. Trends in library programs can be drawn from
this analysis to relate to other regions in Queensland. This
analysis is qualitative in nature and provides an overview
of library programs that are delivered through Queensland
public libraries. Specific program data is not included in
the EIA or CBA modelling due to the significant number
of assumptions needed for its inclusion. The assumptions
required would result in high levels of inaccuracy. Program
data was therefore accounted for in visitation data and the
qualitative assessment provides rigour to this assessment
of value.
7.2.1
Early, Children’s and Family Literacy
Objective
Early, child and family literacy programs are delivered
through a large number of Queensland public libraries.
The basic objectives of such programs include:
~~ developing reading and language skills and a love of
reading in children
~~ supporting parents in their role as ‘first teachers’
~~ assisting in the development of children’s literacy
~~ providing opportunities for children, their parents and
carers to meet, connect and socialise with each other
and other members of the community
~~ assisting primary school-aged children to develop their
literacy skills
~~ providing assistance for primary school students and
their parents and carers with homework tasks.
76
The Library Dividend
Delivery Mechanisms
Early, children’s and family literacy programs are delivered in
a variety of ways across Queensland public library services.
These programs include:
~~ children’s story time
~~ ‘Rattle and Rhyme’ sessions
~~ homework clubs
~~ children’s reading programs
~~ Summer Reading Club
~~ school holiday programs
~~ junior book clubs
~~ toy Library.
One of the most successful and demand-driven of
these delivery mechanisms is the children’s story time
sessions. These types of programs are delivered in all
case study libraries and are consistently the programs in
highest demand.
The frequency of which these types of programs are
delivered is left to the discretion of individual library services.
In Brisbane, these programs are delivered on a very large
scale. There were 4,275 early, children’s and family literacy
programs delivered during the 2010-2011 financial year
across Brisbane.
In addition to story time sessions and other early literacy
programs, Mount Isa library service has a toy library. This
program is funded by the Department of Employment,
Economic Development and Innovation and involves loaning
various toys and educational games to library members
for no charge. The opening of the toy library coincides with
children’s story telling sessions and has proven to be a
phenomenal success since its inception.
Sunshine Coast, Mackay, Fraser Coast, Goondiwindi and
Paroo library services all deliver early, children’s and family
literacy programs. These programs have been noted as
particularly beneficial when compared to other library
programs delivered through these services.
Community Benefits
A number of community benefits can be attributed to
participation in early, children’s and family literacy programs.
Some of the benefits that have been identified through
consultation with both library staff and management as well
as library users include:
~~ improves the literacy of participants
~~ enables interaction
~~ teaches parents how to interact with their children
~~ promotes social linkages between adults
~~ exposes resources and other services that the library
offers previously unknown to library users
~~ exposes library staff to new activities
~~ breaks down social barriers for new families in regions.
Delivery Costs
The delivery costs associated with early, children’s and
family literacy programs includes staff time, materials and
equipment. The majority of the library services cover these
costs through standard budget arrangements for each
financial year. Some funding is received for certain programs
through the Queensland Government, however much of this
is discretionary on a year to year basis.
7.2.2
Young Adult and Youth Literacy
Objective
Young adult and youth literacy programs aim to foster a
love of reading and literacy among teens. These programs
are designed to connect young people with their peers,
through common interests in popular culture and literature,
while providing a positive social space for use by this age
group. These programs are delivered by a select number
of Queensland public library services, on a smaller scale
than other programs. This is mainly due to the much smaller
proportion of library users that fall in this demographic
compared to other library users.
Delivery Mechanisms
Youth programs are delivered in creative ways across the
state. Many of these programs have been developed to
attract and entice young adults to the library, a venue that
has been historically unattractive for teens. In the Fraser
Coast, they have developed ‘Book Ch@ for Teens’ which is
a program designed to be a traditional book club, delivered
in a less formal atmosphere.
Furthermore, there are summer reading clubs, youth
websites and tutoring services that make up the youth and
young adult programming in Queensland public libraries.
There are also many youth and young adult programs that
are delivered once a year during summer holidays.
Community Benefits
Youth and young adult programs provide many benefits
to local communities. These programs encourage teens
to utilise the library as a safe and attractive place to
spend time. They provide an outlet for those teens that
are specifically interested in literacy or popular culture.
These programs also provide opportunities for teens
to socialise with their peers and develop skills in a
‘non- classroom’ environment.
The benefits of youth and young adult programs can be
attributed primarily to the ability to attract this demographic
into the library space, building awareness and developing
literacy skills in a safe and non-threatening environment.
Delivery Costs
The delivery costs associated with these programs is limited
to staff time and materials. Queensland public libraries
generally cover these costs as they are relatively small
compared to other programs delivered through the libraries.
7.2.3
Adult Literacy and Training
Objective
Adult literacy programs are delivered through a number of
Queensland public libraries. These programs are designed
to improve the literacy, life skills and social interaction
opportunities for adults and seniors in the community.
The primary objectives of these programs are to engage
residents in learning that enhances their quality of life. More
often than not, these programs are developed around topics
that many adults can relate to such as families, their homes,
the city or region and the environment.
Delivery Mechanisms
Public libraries across Queensland deliver a diverse range
of adult literacy and training programs. These programs
include, but are not limited to:
~~ parenting programs
~~ CPR training
~~ English conversation and language
~~ book clubs
~~ sustainable living
~~ gardening and craft workshops
~~ legal and employment help.
These programs are often delivered through the libraries
on a demand-driven basis. In some cases, partnering
arrangements have been formed with government
departments as well as private enterprises to deliver these
programs. These partnering arrangements relieve the
library budget and staffing pressures. Indeed without these
partnering arrangements, many of these programs would
not be able to be delivered.
Community Benefits
There are many benefits of adult literacy and training for the
community. The improvement of literacy levels is an obvious
benefit. Less obvious benefits include an improved skills
base, greater social interaction opportunities, and improved
community safety.
Another indirect benefit of the delivery of these programs
is the increase in membership and loans during the times
that the programs are run. This is of a particular benefit as it
reinforces library value and use within varied communities.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
77
7
Delivery Costs
Case Study Results
The delivery of adult literacy and training is more expensive
than other programs due to the diverse range of program
types and materials required. There are some training
courses that incur a discounted user charge, as training is
delivered using an outside source. User charges however
are limited to the minimum possible charge. Costs incurred
to the library service are to cover staff, materials and
equipment. Equipment and material costs is dependent
upon the type of program.
7.2.4
Digital Literacy
Objective
Digital literacy programs are becoming increasingly
popular for both library users and the library service itself,
reflecting the trend of embracing technology and developing
technology skills. These programs have been developed
and delivered through public libraries to ensure equity of
access for all community members to develop these skills.
The primary objective of digital literacy programs is to
develop the skills and confidence of participants, introducing
them to new technology in ways which are fun, hands-on
and solve everyday problems. There is a particular focus
on developing the skills of more seniors and disadvantaged
members of the community to ‘keep them up to speed’,
so they are not ’left behind’ as technology continues
to advance.
Delivery Mechanisms
Digital literacy programs are delivered in a variety of ways
through Queensland public libraries. Some of these
programs include:
~~ Broadband training
~~ phone training (mobile and satellite)
~~ iSkills and computer skills training
~~ introduction to email, Facebook, Skype, YouTube, eBay,
online travel, downloadable ebooks.
These programs provide opportunities for people to ask
questions in a safe environment, as well as to develop basic
skills to better utilise technology.
Community Benefits
There are a number of benefits that are generated through
participation in and the delivery of digital literacy programs in
public libraries. Some of these benefits include:
~~ improved computer literacy
~~ ongoing personal development
~~ improved communication skills and interconnectedness
of the community
~~ social benefits from the participation in group sessions.
78
The Library Dividend
These digital literacy programs contribute by teaching skills
that will improve the day to day life of many community
members. Many businesses are moving towards online
billing and communication. The skills developed in digital
literacy programs allow participants to pay bills online and
undertake other basic daily tasks.
Social connections are also greatly enhanced through
the use of different technologies. Digital literacy programs
provide participants with the skills to use new technologies
to communicate with family members, friends and other
people. Many perceived social barriers can be broken down
with the integration and effective use of technologies and
digital resources.
Delivery Costs
For most library services, the costs of delivering digital
literacy programs are part of the day-to-day business of
the library. In most cases, these programs utilise existing
computers and technology within library branches. Costs
therefore are modest.
7.2.5Multicultural Services and
Awareness Programs
Objective
Queensland public libraries deliver multicultural services
and awareness programs to the community. Library
services to local multicultural communities ensure that all
Queenslanders, regardless of their cultural, linguistic or
religious backgrounds have equitable access to services
that respond appropriately to their needs; are able to fully
participate in and benefit from all aspects of community life,
and feel a sense of belonging in a cohesive and harmonious
community. Library services that also deliver multicultural
awareness programs to the community have the objective
of building awareness of multiculturalism and to celebrate
the multicultural nature of Queensland’s communities
and heritage.
Delivery Mechanisms
There are various ways in which multicultural services and
programs are delivered across Queensland public libraries.
The State Library supports public libraries in providing
multicultural services by affording public library members
free access to book collections in over 50 languages; free
access electronic resources (including international indexes
and databases, online newspapers, radio from around the
world); and access to learning aids to speakers of English
as a second language. Public multicultural programs are
usually linked to particular events and festivals, such as
Harmony Day. Other programs include storytelling in various
languages, training in other languages, and displays and
other activities related to various cultures. Many of these
programs are held on an annual or on a bi-annual basis due
to their specific nature.
Community Benefits
Delivery Costs
The benefits of multicultural services and awareness
programs are wide-reaching. Not only do these services,
programs and events build social inclusion and awareness
of various cultures, they promote positive intercultural
relations in the local region by building acceptance and
breaking down various levels of social divide that exist in the
community. Multicultural awareness programs can provide
a platform to address racism through the promotion of
acceptance and the celebration of difference.
There are significant costs involved in delivering this service
to library users. In addition to staff, material and equipment
costs, there are costs associated with travel and the use
of volunteers. This service is reliant on staff and volunteers
using their own vehicles and time to deliver books and
organise shipping for recipients of this service. Volunteers
that facilitate this service, also obtain a feeling of giving back
to the community, a benefit of the home library service that
is often unrealised.
Delivery Costs
7.2.7Other Public Events and
Learning Programs
The delivery costs associated with multicultural awareness
programs are ultimately dependant on the scale of program
or event. Association with a State Government lead
multicultural event can attract complementary funding for
host libraries.
7.2.6
Home Library Service
There are other programs that are delivered through libraries
that are not classified within any of the program categories
previously mentioned. These programs and events are very
broad in nature and often delivered infrequently. Examples
of these programs and events include:
~~ board game club
Objective
~~ guest speakers and author visits
The home library service provides library materials to
residents who are unable to visit a library in person due
to illness, frailty, disability or remoteness. Both urban and
regional delivery services exist across Queensland to
ensure that all community members have access to library
resources. The primary objective therefore is to ensure
equity of access to public libraries.
~~ ‘How To’ sessions
~~ craft and hobby sessions
~~ museum and gallery exhibitions.
Delivery Mechanisms
These events and programs can individualise the library
service in particular regions. They are delivered through the
library reflecting demand and interest from library users and
the wider community.
The home and regional library delivery services are delivered
primarily through the work of library staff and volunteers
in selecting, packaging and delivering library materials to
registered members. This service is usually undertaken by
library services on a monthly basis.
Delivery costs are dependent upon the type and scale of
program or event. More often than not, these costs are
included in each library service budget, however some
grants are utilised to obtain travelling exhibitions and pay for
particular materials or equipment.
Capacity exists for users of this service to select various
library materials and frequency of delivery depending on
individual circumstances.
There are varying levels of participation in this service
across Queensland public library services. There is a higher
utilisation rate per capita in remote areas, such as Paroo and
Goondiwindi, when compared to more metropolitan areas
like Brisbane. In more urban areas, this service is primarily
utilised by library users in nursing homes and hospices,
whereas a much broader demographic base of users is
evident in rural and remote regions.
Community Benefits
This service is invaluable for those library members that
utilise it. The primary benefit of this service is the equity in
access to library materials across library services. It provides
an opportunity for social interaction and engagement for
people that may not have regular opportunities due to
their inability, disabilities or remote location. This service
extends to the provision of audio and visual resources for
library users.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
79
7
Case Study Results
7.3Case Study Results Cost Benefit Assessment
Figure 46 highlights some of the key parameters generated
by the library user and household (non-user) surveys to
value library benefits at specific case study locations.
Taken together, the chosen case study libraries contribute
anywhere between $76 million and $351.9 million towards
community welfare, depending on the benefit valuation
method adopted (Figure 47). This compares to the $72.8
million to sustain the services annually.
Total benefits outweigh costs for a majority of case study
libraries, regardless of the valuation technique adopted.
The estimated average benefit cost ratio (i.e. the benefit
cost ratio averaged over the three monetisation techniques)
is above one in all cases. The average benefit cost ratio is
highest for Mount Isa library service (BCR 4.4) and lowest for
Paroo Shire library service (BCR 1.5).
The calculated benefits are higher when measured using
either the financial savings or travel cost method. This
reflects low stated willingness to pay on the part of library
users, potentially reflecting their limited capacity to pay and/
or the value they place on their time. In addition to the Global
Financial Crisis, there have been a number of significant
weather events in Queensland recently that have had a
significant impact on households. This has impacted on the
capacity of many households to pay, as well as altering their
spending habits. This has undoubtedly impacted on users’
willingness to pay estimates.
Per customer and per capita costs and benefits for case
study libraries are reported separately in Figure 49 and
50 respectively.
Estimated benefits per user (averaged across all three
monetisation techniques) are highest for Brisbane, followed
by Mount Isa and Mackay library services. Estimated
benefits per capita on the other hand, are highest for Paroo
Shire followed by Mount Isa library services. The difference
in per customer and per capita benefits is reflected by
differences in the customer to resident population ratio
served by each library service.
80
The Library Dividend
Figure 46
Willingness to Pay, Case Study Libraries
Financial
savings
Annual
financial
savings to
customers ($)
Travel cost method
Avg. distance
Avg. amount
Avg. time spent travelled to
spent
at the library
the library
commuting to
(mins)
(kms)
the library ($)
Contingency valuation
Annual
Annual
customer
non-user
willingness to willingness to
pay ($)
pay ($)
Brisbane Libraries
$504
37
2.9
$1.10
$71
$37
Sunshine Coast Libraries
$330
36
4.7
$1.20
$42
$27
Fraser Coast Libraries
$379
43
6.1
$1.23
$43
$27
Mackay Libraries
$380
42
7.1
$1.49
$41
$35
Paroo Libraries
$347
27
7.5
$3.80
$47
$30
Mount Isa Libraries
$517
44
2.9
$0.85
$66
$37
Goondiwindi Libraries
$398
28
7.0
$1.48
$57
$30
Figure 47
Annual Costs and Benefits, Case Study Libraries (2011$million)
Cost
Financial savings
Travel cost method
Contingency valuation
Brisbane Libraries
$49.6
$256.7
$103.6
$55.5
Sunshine Coast Libraries
$14.7
$49.7
$33.4
$11.0
Fraser Coast Libraries
$2.7
$15.5
$6.1
$3.3
Mackay Libraries
$3.7
$20.4
$9.5
$4.4
Paroo Libraries
$0.2
$0.7
$0.3
$0.1
Mount Isa Libraries
$0.7
$6.4
$1.5
$1.1
Goondiwindi Libraries
$0.3
$2.6
$0.7
$0.5
$71.9
$351.9
$155.1
$76.0
Total
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
81
Mount Isa Library
Goondiwindi Library
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
9
10
Ratio
7
Travel cost method
Contingency valuation
Figure 48
Figure
48
Benefit Cost Ratios, Case Study Libraries
Financial savings
Case Study Results
Brisbane Libraries
Sunshine Coast Libraries
Fraser Coast Libraries
Mackay Library
Paroo Library
Mount Isa Library
Goondiwindi Library
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Ratio
Contingency valuation
Travel cost method
Financial savings
Figure 49
49
Figure
Costs and Benefits per Customer, Case Study Libraries (2011$)
Brisbane Libraries
Sunshine Coast Libraries
Fraser Coast Libraries
Mackay Library
Paroo Library
Mount Isa Library
Goondiwindi Library
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Cost ($)
Contingency valuation
Figure 49
Travel cost method
Financial savings
Cost
Figure 50
Figure
50
Costs and Benefits per Capita, Case Study Libraries (2011$)
Brisbane Libraries
Sunshine Coast Libraries
Brisbane Libraries
Fraser Coast Libraries
Sunshine Coast Libraries
Mackay Library
Fraser Coast Libraries
Paroo Library
Mackay Library
Mount Isa Library
Paroo Library
Goondiwindi Library
Mount Isa Library
Goondiwindi Library
0
0
100
50
200
The Library Dividend
400
500
Cost ($)
100
150
200
Travel cost method
Contingency valuation
Cost ($)
250
300
Financial savings
350
Cost
Travel cost method
Financial savings
Cost
Contingency valuation
82
300
600
400
7.4Case Study Results Economic Impact Assessment
Economic multipliers were generated using SGS’s inhouse econometric model simulation for the geographic
areas serviced by each case study library service. These
multipliers trace the estimated indirect economic activity
generated by an initial economic stimulus within a specified
geographic region.
A different set of multipliers has been applied to the
following various forms of economic stimuli associated with
public libraries:
~~ recurrent expenditure including material purchases, staff
salaries and other administration and operational costs
~~ capital works expenditure, assuming deprecation
expenditure is progressively spent to renew the physical
asset base
~~ library user expenditure triggered by their use of
public libraries.
In addition, the expenditure of library users triggered by
library use generates the following total (direct + indirect)
impacts in their local host economies:
~~ $79 million in income
~~ $34 million in value added
~~ 332 jobs (Figure 53).
By its very scope, it is taken as a given that the induced
economic activity generated by public libraries within
Queensland will be greater than that generated in their
respective regional economies. This reflects the depth
and scope of economic linkages that the more diverse
Queensland economy encompasses, i.e. when compared
to regional host economies. In fact, the annual purchasing
and capital works expenditure of the case study libraries
(their own expenditure) generate the following total impacts
within Queensland:
~~ $162 million in income
~~ $79 million in value-added
These multipliers are reported in Figure 51.
~~ 806 jobs.
To interpret these multipliers, Brisbane City Council Library
Service is used for explanatory purposes.
In turn, total impacts on the Queensland state economy due
to the expenditure of library users triggered by library use is
estimated at:
For every $1.00 of library purchases (excluding capital
works) made by the library service, an additional $1.44
is generated as income for enterprises in the Brisbane
economy, leading to a total income effect of $2.44.
Brisbane based enterprises contribute approximately $0.48
of value added product, i.e. net of raw material purchases
and including contributions to employer profits and employee
salaries, for every $1.00 spent in the regional economy by
the library service (excluding capital works). For each of this
$0.48 of local value added associated by the initial $1.00
spend by the library, local buyers and suppliers contribute
a further $0.69 of value added in subsequent rounds of
transactions, generating $1.17 of total value added.
For every $1 million of library purchases (excluding capital
works) made by the service, 10.58 jobs are supported in the
regional economy. After subsequent rounds of transactions
are accounted for through local buyer and supplier links, this
initial $1 million in library spending supports a total of 17.31
regional jobs.
~~ $86 million in income
~~ $39 million in value added
~~ 360 jobs.
Aggregating the impacts of own and customer triggered
expenditures yields the following estimates of total economic
activity generated by the case study libraries on their
respective regional and Queensland economies:
~~ Regional economies:
-- $214 million in income
-- $101 million in value added
-- 1,179 jobs (Figure 54)
~~ State economy:
-- $247 million in income
-- $118 million in value added
-- 1,165 total jobs.
Taken together, the annual purchasing and capital
works expenditure of the case study libraries (their own
expenditure) generates the following total impacts (direct +
indirect) in their regional economies each year:
~~ $134 million in income
~~ $66 million in value-added
~~ 747 jobs.
Figure 52 highlights how these contributions are different
among the case study libraries.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
83
1
Figure 51
Economic Multipliers Adopted
Introduction
Effect of library purchases
(exc. capital works)
Income
Value-added
Direct
Total
Direct
Total
Direct
Total
Brisbane Libraries
1.00
2.45
0.48
1.20
10.58
17.35
Sunshine Coast Libraries
1.00
1.73
0.58
1.02
10.58
14.16
Fraser Coast Libraries
1.00
1.60
0.58
0.94
10.58
13.52
Mackay Library
1.00
1.66
0.54
0.89
10.58
13.91
Paroo Library
1.00
1.27
0.63
0.81
10.58
11.98
Mount Isa Library
1.00
1.46
0.20
0.32
10.58
12.85
Goondiwindi Library
1.00
1.48
0.61
0.90
10.58
13.36
Income
Effect of library capital works
Value-added
Employment
Direct
Total
Direct
Total
Direct
Total
Brisbane Libraries
1.00
2.68
0.23
0.99
1.76
8.91
Sunshine Coast Libraries
1.00
2.01
0.30
0.84
1.76
6.31
Fraser Coast Libraries
1.00
1.84
0.31
0.76
1.76
5.57
Mackay Library
1.00
1.98
0.24
0.69
1.76
6.23
Paroo Library
1.00
1.39
0.33
0.56
1.76
3.69
Mount Isa Library
1.00
1.43
0.08
0.16
1.76
3.61
Goondiwindi Library
1.00
1.79
0.29
0.70
1.76
5.63
Effect of triggered purchases by
customers
84
Employment
Income
Value-added
Employment
Direct
Total
Direct
Total
Direct
Total
Brisbane Libraries
1.00
2.10
0.38
0.90
4.03
8.84
Sunshine Coast Libraries
1.00
1.49
0.47
0.74
4.03
6.24
Fraser Coast Libraries
1.00
1.37
0.45
0.66
4.03
5.66
Mackay Library
1.00
1.43
0.38
0.59
4.03
6.06
Paroo Library
1.00
1.17
0.39
0.50
4.03
4.90
Mount Isa Library
1.00
1.18
0.10
0.14
4.03
4.80
Goondiwindi Library
1.00
1.36
0.42
0.61
4.03
5.92
The Library Dividend
Figure 52
Total Economic Impact of Own Expenditure on Regional Economies, Case Study Libraries (2011$)
Income
($ million)
Value-added
($ million)
Employment
Impact on regional economy
Direct
Total
Direct
Total
Direct
Total
Brisbane Libraries
$42.01
$104.10
$18.81
$49.20
292.95
514.01
Sunshine Coast Libraries
$11.73
$20.53
$6.62
$11.81
100.61
137.73
Fraser Coast Libraries
$2.08
$3.42
$1.11
$1.89
22.78
30.39
Mackay Libraries
$3.15
$5.21
$1.70
$2.79
34.24
44.99
Paroo Libraries
$0.16
$0.20
$0.10
$0.13
5.00
5.66
Mount Isa Libraries
$0.58
$0.85
$0.11
$0.18
8.09
9.90
Goondiwindi Libraries
$0.27
$0.41
$0.17
$0.25
3.75
4.74
$59.98
$134.72
$28.61
$66.24
467.43
747.42
Total
Figure 53
Total Economic Impact of Customer Triggered Expenditure on Regional Economies, Case Study Libraries (2011$)
Income
($ million)
Impact on regional economy
Value-added
($ million)
Employment
Direct
Total
Direct
Total
Direct
Total
$29.20
$61.33
$11.06
$26.29
117.60
258.22
Sunshine Coast Libraries
$7.13
$10.59
$3.33
$5.29
28.72
44.51
Fraser Coast Libraries
$1.81
$2.48
$0.82
$1.19
7.30
10.27
Mackay Libraries
$2.25
$3.23
$0.84
$1.32
9.06
13.63
Paroo Libraries
$0.05
$0.05
$0.02
$0.02
0.18
0.22
Mount Isa Libraries
$0.54
$0.64
$0.06
$0.08
2.19
2.61
Goondiwindi Libraries
$0.42
$0.58
$0.18
$0.26
1.71
2.51
$41.41
$78.90
$16.30
$34.46
166.77
331.96
Brisbane Libraries
Total
Figure 54
Total Economic Impact of Public Libraries on Regional Economies, Case Study Libraries (2011$)
Income
($ million)
Impact on regional economy
Direct
Brisbane Libraries
$71.22
Sunshine Coast Libraries
Value-added
($ million)
Direct
Total
Direct
Total
$165.44
$29.87
$75.49
410.56
772.22
$18.86
$31.12
$9.94
$17.10
129.33
182.23
Fraser Coast Libraries
$3.90
$5.90
$1.93
$3.08
30.09
40.65
Mackay Libraries
$5.39
$8.44
$2.55
$4.11
43.30
58.63
Paroo Libraries
$0.20
$0.25
$0.12
$0.15
5.18
5.88
Mount Isa Libraries
$1.13
$1.49
$0.17
$0.26
10.28
12.51
Goondiwindi Libraries
$0.70
$0.98
$0.34
$0.51
5.46
7.25
$101.39
$213.62
$44.92
$100.70
634.20
1,079.38
Total
Total
Employment
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
85
1
7.5Synopsis
7.5.2
Introduction
The case study library services reiterated many of the
broader views and values of library services across the
state. They show how different library services contribute
differently to their respective communities, reflecting the
importance of context. Without recounting each and every
detail of the findings of each case study, Figure 55 highlights:
From a future advocacy perspective, the case study
interviews suggest significant value in:
~~ some of the standout messages attributable to each
case study
~~ library managers promoting the broader value and
services delivered through libraries by educating
councils, councillors and other funding sources
~~ how the estimated value of benefits compares with
library service delivery costs (via the benefit cost
ratio) under each of the three benefit estimation
methods utilised
~~ the total amount of local economic income, value added
and employment that is attributable to library services in
their respective catchments.
7.5.1
Common Issues
Some of the key issues highlighted during consultation with
each case study library service include:
~~ the insufficiency of funding to cope with the changing
and diverse needs of each community
~~ managing rising community expectations
~~ the need to keep abreast of changing technologies
and to train staff to use and actively engage with
these technologies
~~ ensuring the attraction and retention of qualified staff
~~ promotion of each library service is needed to ensure
the community is aware of the extent of services offered
by the library
~~ acceptance of opportunities provided to RLQ libraries
should be encouraged, particularly with regards to the
introduction of emerging technologies into the library
service offering.
86
The Library Dividend
Future Advocacy Efforts
~~ library service being well recognised across council
~~ library managers keeping abreast of the broader
council agenda
~~ library managers recognising and pursuing alternative
revenue opportunities
~~ ensuring that advocacy materials are written in lay terms
but are backed by the rigour that is expected in formal
business cases
~~ ensuring funding and operating decisions are informed
by international best practice and contemporary
thinking, disconnecting future debate from the
assumptions of the past
~~ maximising the visibility and promotion of libraries
through highly accessible locations, distinctive building
structures and co-location of libraries with other
community services, i.e. in a community hub or as a
one-stop community service location.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
87
Notes: BCR means Benefit Cost Ratio
~~ Libraries play an increasingly strong role in the community in
times of crisis. Need to attract more users and promote the
library more within the Council.
Paroo Shire Council Library Service
~~ Providing innovative approaches to programming.
~~ Better utilisation of technology would improve efficiency.
~~ Delivery service ensures that the whole community has
access to library resources.
Goondiwindi Regional Council Library Service
~~ Programs and services cater to many socially isolated
community members.
~~ Key entry point into the town catering for a high level of
transient workers and families.
Mount Isa Regional Council Library Service
~~ Co-location opportunities with multiple community facilities
may enhance service delivery outcomes.
Fraser Coast Regional Council Library Service
~~ Impacts of the resource industry are mitigated through
innovative approaches to membership and programming.
Mackay Regional Council Library Service
~~ Focus is on providing education and training opportunities for
adults. Contributing to increasing the employment capacity of
the community while also delivering other library services.
Sunshine Coast Regional Council Library Service
~~ Embracing emerging technologies and changing community
expectations, while building on the strengths of a local and
community-focused service.
Brisbane City Council Library Service
Standout Message
Figure 55
Case Study Synopsis
$0.2
$0.3
$0.7
$2.7
$3.7
$14.7
$49.6
Annual Cost
($ million)
$0.7
BCR = 2.79
$2.6
BCR = 4.59
$6.4
BCR = 9.27
$15.5
BCR = 5.7
$20.4
BCR = 5.44
$49.7
BCR = 3.35
$256.7
BCR = 5.13
$0.3
BCR = 1.27
$0.7
BCR = 1.23
$1.5
BCR = 2.13
$6.1
BCR = 2.24
$9.5
BCR = 2.54
$33.4
BCR = 2.26
$103.6
BCR = 2.07
$0.1
BCR = 0.39
$0.5
BCR = 0.91
$1.1
BCR = 1.67
$3.3
BCR = 1.22
$4.4
BCR = 1.18
$11
BCR = 0.74
$55.5
BCR = 1.11
Annual Benefit ($ million)
Financial
Travel Cost
Contingent
Savings
Method
Valuation
$0.3
$1.0
$1.5
$5.9
$8.4
$31.1
$165.4
$0.1
$0.5
$0.3
$3.1
$4.1
$17.1
$75.5
6 jobs
7 jobs
13 jobs
41 jobs
59 jobs
182 jobs
772 jobs
Annual Economic Activity supported in Regional Economy
Income
Value Added
Employment
($ million)
($ million)
(EFT)
8
Value Assessment
This section extends
the scope of the case
study results to whole of
Queensland estimates
using the scaling process
described in Section 5.3.
8.1
Cost Benefit Analysis
Queensland public libraries contribute at least $207 million
and up to $849 million to community welfare each year,
compared to $207 million expended in costs.
The benefit cost ratio of sustaining public libraries ranges
from 1.0 (based on the contingency valuation method) to a
high of 4.1 (based on the financial savings approach). Put
another way, for each dollar expended on Queensland public
libraries, Queenslanders stand to benefit up to four times
that amount.
The financial savings method generated the greatest
estimate of benefit. This meets with expectations, as the
travel cost method fails to include all elements of consumers
surplus, and the contingent valuation method may well be
constrained by respondent capacity to pay (i.e. income).
As no quantification method is clearly superior to the others,
an average estimate of $478 million is considered a sound
and conservative estimate of annual benefit. Based on this
average estimate, the benefits outweigh costs by a factor of
2.3, i.e. a BCR of 2.3.
88
The Library Dividend
Figure
56
Figure 56
Total Costs and Benefits (2011$million) and Benefit Cost Ratio, Queensland Public Libraries
Cost
Financial savings method
(BCR = 4.1)
Travel cost method method
(BCR = 1.8)
Contingency valuation method
(BCR = 1.0)
0
100
200
300
400
$ Million
500
600
700
800
900
$478 (BCR = 2.3)
Source: SGS Economics and Planning calculations
Note: Benefits include both user and non-user benefits
8.2
Validity of Results
Figure 57 compares the benefits per customer and per capita calculated by this study against the costs of sustaining
Queensland public libraries. Also shown alongside are results calculated by other studies that have utilised similar approaches
to the ones adopted here when valuing public libraries.
The figure indicates that the results generated herein fall within a reasonable range of results generated elsewhere. In
particular, the results generated using the financial savings approach are highly consistent with other studies.
Figure 57
Costs and Benefits per Customer and per Capita, Queensland and Other Results
Financial
savings
Travel cost
method
Contingency
valuation
$101.0
$413.6
$184.2
$100.8
SGS (2009) - Victoria
$67.8
$398.2
$207.2
$122.4
Liddle (2008) - NSW
$79.2
-
-
$76.7
$438.9
-
-
$959.8
SGS (current study) - Queensland
$46.0
$188.5
$84.0
$46.0
SGS (2009) - Victoria
$35.7
$209.6
$109.0
$64.5
Liddle (2008) - NSW
$44.8
$189.6
-
$43.4
-
$119.6
-
-
Cost
Per customer costs and benefits
SGS (current study) - Queensland
Pung et al (2004) - British Library, UK
Per capita costs and benefits
Levin et al (2006) - South West Ohio, USA
Note: All figures shown are $millions
More detailed comparisons can be drawn between the assessment of economic value of public libraries in Queensland and
Victoria, given their uniform methodologies. Such a comparison provides a context for the results obtained in Queensland and
allows for a deeper analysis of the differences between each state’s approaches to library service delivery.
Table 11 outlines some key characteristics and outcomes of the library user survey in Queensland and Victoria.
Similar comparisons of the survey results for library non-users in each state are also provided in Table 12.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
89
8
Table 11
Queensland and Victorian Library User Results
Value Assessment
Queensland
(2011$)
Victoria
(2009$)
Victoria
(2011$)
$67,329
$41,926
$44,825
30%
20.9%
-
Average trip distance to library
7.76km
11.80km
-
Average spend at other places when visiting a library
$54.48
$39.92
$41.36
$110.07
$61
$73.70
Estimated replacement cost p.a.**
$349
$419
$447.54
Calculated travel costs per visit to library
$1.24
$2.91
$3.02
Expressed willingness to pay p.a. (CVM)
$52
$72
$76.90
Proportion that would pay more if they could afford it
94%
89%
-
Queensland
(2011$)
Victoria
(2009$)
Victoria
2011$)
$67,329
$41,926
$44,825
30%
20.9%
-
$29.00
$55.00
$57.78
94%
89%
-
Average annual respondent income
% of respondents in full time employment
Estimated financial savings per visit*
Source: SGS Economics and Planning calculations
*Calculated by specific value estimation on survey results
** Calculated by midpoint estimation on survey results
Table 12
Queensland and Victorian Library Non-User Results
Average respondent income
% of respondents in full time employment
Expressed willingness to pay per annum
Proportion that would pay more if they could afford it
Source: SGS Economics and Planning calculations
The data highlights a significant difference between non-user willingness to pay for library services in Queensland and Victoria.
This may be a result of the significant number of environmental disasters, such as the January 2011 floods, that occurred
during the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 years. The impacts of these disasters were widespread and they may have impacted the
consumption and spending habits of Queensland residents. The population’s willingness, or perhaps more accurately, their
capacity to pay may well have been dramatically affected, resulting in considerably lower value estimates.
90
The Library Dividend
8.3
Economic Impact Assessment
The economic multipliers for Queensland linked with public library expenditure assessed by SGS’s econometric model
simulation are shown in Figure 58.
Aggregating over the entire state, Queensland public libraries’ own expenditures (including recurrent capital and operating
expenses) generates:
~~ $460 million in Queensland income
~~ $225 million in Queensland value added (i.e. Gross Regional Product)
~~ supports approximately 2,490 full time equivalent Queensland jobs.
In addition, the total economic activity generated from triggered expenditures of library customers amounts to:
~~ $154 million in Queensland income
~~ $70 million in Queensland value added
~~ 645 full-time equivalent Queensland jobs.
Consequently, it can be concluded that the economic impacts associated with Queensland public libraries in 2010-2011 total
to (i.e. own expenditure plus triggered user expenditure):
~~ $614 million in Queensland income
~~ $295 million in Queensland value added
~~ 3,135 full time equivalent Queensland jobs.
Interpretation Notes:
For every $1.00 of library purchases (excluding capital works) made, an additional $1.30 is generated as income for enterprises
in Queensland, leading to a total income effect of $2.30.
Queensland enterprises contribute approximately $0.50 of value added (i.e. product) for every $1.00 spent in the State
economy by the library service (excluding capital works). For each of this $0.50 of Queensland value added associated with
the initial $1.00 spend by public libraries, Queensland buyers and suppliers contribute a further $0.71 of value added in
subsequent rounds of transactions, generating $1.21 in total value added.
For every $1 million of public library purchases (excluding capital works) made in Queensland, 10.58 jobs are supported in the
Queensland economy. After subsequent rounds of transactions are accounted for, through local buyer and supplier links, this
initial $1 million in library spending supports a total of 17.19 jobs in Queensland.
Table 13
Queensland Economic Multipliers Assessed (all case study libraries)
Income
Value-added
Employment
Direct
Total
Direct
Total
Direct
Total
Effect of library purchases (exc. capital works)
1.00
2.30
0.50
1.21
10.58
17.19
Effect of library capital works
1.00
2.72
0.23
1.02
1.76
9.26
Effect of triggered purchases by users
1.00
2.07
0.43
0.94
4.03
8.69
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
91
9
CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
This section provides
final conclusions plus
recommendations for better
advocating public libraries
in Queensland, as well
as for the progression of
Phase 5 of this study.
9.1Conclusions
As evidenced by consultation with library service managers
and council representatives, library stakeholders are
well equipped to qualitatively articulate the community
contributions and benefits made by Queensland public
libraries. However, when it comes to quantifying these
benefits, little information has existed to date within the
Queensland context. The study undertaken by State Library
of Victoria provided a proven method of quantifying these
benefits, which was applied to the Queensland context in
this project.
This project reiterated findings from the Victorian study,
which found that like Victorian libraries, Queensland public
libraries contribute significantly to community welfare.
Indeed, the benefits contributed by public libraries
outweigh their provisioning costs by a factor of 2.3.
This represents a sound return on community investment
and provides a compelling case for continued investment.
Importantly, these numbers have been generated using
conventions and disciplines that align with the requirements
of Commonwealth and State Treasury guidelines for
conducting cost benefit assessments. Moreover, the data
used to populate the CBA framework were derived from
representative market samples. Therefore the results are
both robust and defendable. Indeed the results may well
be somewhat conservative, as the benefit measurement
techniques used are unlikely to fully capture the value of the
‘online’ presence of public libraries.
This study has also found that the economic activity induced
by Queensland public libraries in Queensland is significant
after accounting for all of the multiple rounds of transactions
induced by library related expenditures. In short, public
libraries contribute approximately $295 million to
Queensland Gross State Product and support 3,135
full time equivalent jobs each year.
The market research undertaken as part of this project has
found that Queenslanders, be they users or non-users
of public library services, appreciate the contributions
made by public libraries, with users obviously better
acquainted with the diversity of potential library benefits.
In line with this, Queenslanders are generally satisfied with
Queensland public library services and their suggestions
for improvement relate primarily to the expansion of existing
services including the collection, internet access, technology
integration and opening hours.
92
The Library Dividend
Recommendations
Given the findings outline above, the following
recommendations are provided.
~~ This report should be distributed widely to
Queenslanders both in a way that can be
comprehended by lay people, and in a manner suitable
for the consumption of funding decision-makers at all
levels of government and private enterprises
~~ This report and its core qualitative and quantitative
results should be provided online at a central point,
familiar to library service managers, such as the State
Library website
~~ Each library service across Queensland should be
equipped with the results and instructed on how to
use these results to estimate their own contributions to
community welfare
~~ When communicating the findings of this report, the
contributions that align with Commonwealth and
Queensland policy objectives should be highlighted. This
includes the contributions of public libraries to:
-- community literacy and numeracy
-- digital literacy
-- children, youth and young adult learning
-- self-organised and lifelong learning
-- recreational objectives of members of communities
~~ This report should be reviewed frequently and
consistently to ensure the economic value of
Queensland public library services are estimated
accurately. This process should include ongoing training
and support to library staff at both the State and local
level to ensure that advocacy efforts can be sustained in
the long term.
Focus should be maintained on ensuring that remote library
services receive adequate funding and support to continue
delivering services. This includes particular support for ‘non
recorded’ service aspects such as personalised deliveries
to residents and other actions that staff undertake that
are ‘above and beyond’ stand service lines. These actions
by staff generate increased appreciation and value of
library services within communities, particularly for those
disadvantaged members of the Queensland community.
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
93
9
BibliogRAPHY
Conclusions and Recommendations
Berryman, J., (2005) Sustaining Communities, Measuring
the Value of Public Libraries, State Library of NSW, Sydney.
Bundy, A., (2008) Dividends: The value of public libraries to
Victorian communities, their State Government, and their
councils, Auslib Library Consulting, Victoria.
Department of Planning and Community Development
(2009) Annual Survey of Public Library Services in Victoria
2007/8, Local Government Victoria, Melbourne.
Indiana Business Research Center (2007), The Economic
Impact of Libraries in Indiana, Indiana University’s Kelley
School of Business, Indiana.
J.L Management Services Pty. Ltd. (2006) Strategic Asset
Audit of Victorian Public Libraries: An independent report
for the Library Board of Victoria and Victorian public library
network, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne.
Levin, Driscoll and Fleeter (2006), Value For Money:
Southwestern Ohio’s Return from Investment in Public
Libraries, Columbus, Ohio.
Liddle, J (2008) Enriching Communities: The value of public
libraries in New South Wales, Library Council of New South
Wales, Sydney.
North Star Economics (2008), The Economic Contribution
of Wisconsin Public Libraries to the Economy of Wisconsin,
NorthStar Economics Inc. Madison, Wisconsin.
Pung, C., Clarke, A. and Patten, L., (2004) Measuring the
Economic Impact of the British Library, New Review of
Academic Librarianship, vol. 10, no. 1.
State Library of Victoria, Public Libraries Victoria Network
(2009) Dollars, Sense and Public Libraries: Technical Report,
State Library of Victoria, Melbourne.
State Library of Victoria, Library Board of Victoria and
VICLINK (2005) Libraries Building Communities, Report Two:
Logging the Benefits, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne.
Urban Libraries Council (2007), Making Cities Stronger:
Public Library Contributions to Local Economic
Development, The Urban Institute, Washington, DC.
94
The Library Dividend
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
95
Case Study Locations
This section presents the findings from a survey of library
users in seven case study areas. These areas were:
~~ Brisbane City Council Library Service
~~ Sunshine Coast Regional Council Library Service
Appendix
1
Library User
Survey
~~ Mackay Regional Council Library Service
~~ Fraser Coast Regional Council Library Service
~~ Mount Isa City Council Library Service
~~ Goondiwindi Regional Council Library Service
~~ Paroo Shire Council Library Service.
Response Rates
The final sample numbers are shown in the table below.
These are the bases for percentages shown throughout this
appendix.
Library Service
Response
Brisbane
1,449
Sunshine Coast
2,383
Fraser Coast
277
Mackay
586
Goondiwindi
120
Paroo
59
Mount Isa
52
Total completed surveys
4,926
Survey Method
The survey was delivered and results generated through the
online survey tool ‘Survey Monkey’. Self-completion surveys
were offered in libraries on computer and in paper copies.
All paper copies of the survey that were completed were
inputted into the online survey software.
The survey collected information on the following:
~~ demographic profile
~~ patterns of library use
~~ travel time and cost
~~ purpose of use
~~ type of use
~~ use of the library website
~~ perceived benefits provided by libraries
~~ perceived community and cultural contributions of the
public library
96
The Library Dividend
~~ economic, social/cultural and environmental benefits of
the library service
~~ value of public libraries
~~ willingness to pay for services
~~ open comments about the best things and suggested
improvements to the library service.
*3. On a typical visit to the library, are you:
❍❍ Going ONLY to the library and nowhere else
❍❍ Going to several places
4. If you go to several places during a typical
visit to the library, which places do you usually
go to?
Data was collated, open questions were coded and the data
summarised in cross-tabulated data tables.
❍❍ Café/restaurant
The questionnaire and results data tables are included in the
following sections
❍❍ Other shops
Survey Instrument
❍❍ Indoor leisure place
Queensland Library User Survey
This study will collect information about people who use
public libraries in Queensland. It asks about how you use
the library and what benefits you get. The study also aims to
measure the value of public library services in dollar terms.
This is just one of a number of measures in the study.
There are no plans for public libraries to increase fees
and charges.
The information from the study will show how valuable
libraries are to people in Queensland.
This survey can be completed online at the following link.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P9FY5YT.
❍❍ Grocery shops
❍❍ Private home
❍❍ Outdoor leisure place
❍❍ Other (please specify)
_______________________________________________
Thinking about your typical trip to the library–
*5. How do you travel to the library? (Mode
of travel.)
❍❍ Car
❍❍ Public Transport
❍❍ Walk
❍❍ Bicycle
❍❍ Other (please specify)
_______________________________________________
NOTE: Questions with an asterisk (*) and circular response
options should have only one answer selected. All other
questions (i.e. with square response options) allow for
multiple answers to be selected.
*6. How far do you travel to the library?
(Kilometres.)
*1. A
re you a current active member of a
Queensland public library?
❍❍ 6-10km
❍❍ Yes
❍❍ No
*2. P
lease nominate the library service you most
frequently use.
❍❍ 0-5km
❍❍ 11-20km
❍❍ 21-50km
❍❍ 51+km
❍❍ Brisbane
*7. What are your out-of-pocket travel costs
for a typical trip to the library (e.g. fares
and parking)?
❍❍ Sunshine Coast
❍❍ Nothing
❍❍ Fraser Coast
❍❍ $0-$10
❍❍ Mackay
❍❍ $11-$20
❍❍ Paroo
❍❍ $21-$50
❍❍ Mount Isa
❍❍ over $51
❍❍ Goondiwindi
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
97
Appendix 1
*8. How much, if anything, do you spend at other
places as part of a typical visit to the library?
Library User Survey
❍❍ $11-$20
❍❍ Nothing
❍❍ $0-$10
❍❍ $21-$50
❍❍ over $51
Thinking about your typical trip to the library -
*9. How long do you spend in the library? (Time.)
❍❍ 0–10 minutes
❍❍ 11-30 minutes
*13. IF YES TO QUESTION 11 – How often have
you accessed the library website from other
places in the past month?
❍❍ Once
❍❍ Twice
❍❍ Three times
❍❍ Four times
❍❍ More than four times
*14. People use libraries for different purposes.
How important were the following purposes
for your typical visit to the library? (Please
enter a response for each line.)
Main
Purpose
Secondary
Purpose
Not a
Purpose
Recreation (e.g.
Borrowing books,
reading the paper,
attending a library
program or activity)
❍
❍
❍
Study/Education
❍
❍
❍
❍❍ Once every 1-2 weeks
Research (To look
something up)
❍
❍
❍
❍❍ Once every 3-4 weeks
Social
❍
❍
❍
❍❍ Once every 5-8 weeks
Accompanying others
❍
❍
❍
❍❍ 3-4 times a year
Other (please specify)
❍❍ 31-45 minutes
❍❍ 46 minutes to 1 hour
❍❍ 1-2 hours
❍❍ over 2 hours
*10. H
ow often, on average, do you use the
library service?
❍❍ Weekly or more often
❍❍ 1-2 times a year
❍❍ Less than once a year
*11. H
ave you ever accessed the library website
from places outside the library (including
mobile devices)?
15. Which of the following things do you do in the
library on a typical visit? (Please tick all items
that apply.)
❍❍ Borrow books or other print materials
❍❍ Borrow videos, CDs or DVDs
❍❍ Yes
❍❍ Accessing or downloading other electronic resources
❍❍ No
❍❍ Use reference materials
12. IF YES TO QUESTION 11– On what kind of
device have you accessed the library website
in the last month?
❍❍ Access the Internet
❍❍ Fixed PC
❍❍ Laptop
❍❍ Hand held device
❍❍ Other (please specify)
_______________________________________________
❍❍ Use the computers for other purposes
❍❍ Seek staff assistance with reference enquiries
❍❍ Use a study desk/meeting room
❍❍ Attend a program, event or activity
❍❍ Attend a civic/community meeting
❍❍ Meet socially with friends
❍❍ Read, watch or listen to library materials.
❍❍ Other (please specify)
_______________________________________________
98
The Library Dividend
16. If you attended a program, event or activity at the library over the last year, please specify which one.
❍❍ Did not attend a program or activity
❍❍ Youth program
❍❍ Children’s literacy
❍❍ Adult literacy
❍❍ Other (please specify)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
*17. Please rate your satisfaction with the following services at the library you typically visit. (Please
enter a response for each line.)
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Moderate
satisfaction
Unsatisfied
Very Unsatisfied
Not Applicable
Overall service
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
Collection
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
Computers/Wi-Fi
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
Meeting rooms and
other facilities
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
Amenity of the
building
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
Staff assistance
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
Library Website
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
18. Why do you typically use the public library?
❍❍ It saves you time
❍❍ It saves you money
❍❍ The library has an extensive range of materials
❍❍ Professional staff support is available
❍❍ You enjoy the atmosphere
❍❍ Other (please specify)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
*19. If it saves you time, how much time does it save on a typical visit? (Number of minutes.)
❍❍ Not applicable
❍❍ Specific Time (please specify)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
*20. If it saves you money, how much money does it save on a typical visit? (Number of dollars.)
❍❍ Not applicable
❍❍ Specific Dollar Amount (please specify)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
21. In your own words, what are the BEST THINGS about this library service that you use most often?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
99
Appendix 1
22. And what suggestions, if any, do you have for IMPROVEMENTS to this library service?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Library User Survey
*23. P
ublic libraries provide different benefits for different people. Thinking about your use of public
libraries, please indicate how important the following benefits have been for you personally in the
past five years. (Please enter a response for each line.)
Major Benefit
Minor Benefit
No Benefit
Helped me obtain a new job or promotion
❍
❍
❍
Made me more productive in my job
❍
❍
❍
Helped me improve or start a business
❍
❍
❍
Enabled me to gain or improve my computer skills
❍
❍
❍
Supported my involvement in an education course
❍
❍
❍
Supported my children’s early (0-5 years) development
❍
❍
❍
Supported my children’s education
❍
❍
❍
Facilitated my pursuit of (informal) lifelong learning
❍
❍
❍
Assisted me to develop English language skills
❍
❍
❍
Clarified my understanding of legal or medical information
❍
❍
❍
Helped me accomplish tasks and/or achieve goals
❍
❍
❍
Contributed to enjoyable and meaningful pastimes
❍
❍
❍
Fostered my sense of community or belonging
❍
❍
❍
Helped me obtain information not obtainable elsewhere
❍
❍
❍
Helped me to pursue hobbies and interests
❍
❍
❍
*24. P
ublic libraries contribute to cultural development in a number of ways. In your view, how important
are the following contributions? (Please enter a response for each line.)
100
Very Important
Important
Not Important
Don’t Know
Maintaining relevant collections
❍
❍
❍
❍
Maintaining local history collections
❍
❍
❍
❍
Providing opportunities for exhibiting local artworks
❍
❍
❍
❍
Arranging talks by visiting authors
❍
❍
❍
❍
Providing opportunities for performances by local
musicians, dancers and actors
❍
❍
❍
❍
Providing opportunities for multicultural activities
❍
❍
❍
❍
Building awareness and sharing knowledge of
Aboriginal and Torres Straight island heritage and
culture
❍
❍
❍
❍
The Library Dividend
*25. Thinking more broadly about how the public library contributes to the general community, in your
view, how important are the following contributions? (Please enter a response for each line.)
Very Important
Important
Not Important
Don’t Know
Being a safe and pleasant place to visit
❍
❍
❍
❍
Encouraging responsible social behaviour
❍
❍
❍
❍
Facilitating lifelong learning
❍
❍
❍
❍
Improving literacy (including digital literacy)
❍
❍
❍
❍
Providing information about community events
❍
❍
❍
❍
Acting as a source of government information
❍
❍
❍
❍
Supporting local culture and the arts
❍
❍
❍
❍
Providing public meeting spaces
❍
❍
❍
❍
Facilitating job or career planning
❍
❍
❍
❍
Promoting and encouraging literacy (including digital literacy)
❍
❍
❍
❍
Recognising the demand for non-English speaking materials
❍
❍
❍
❍
Supporting the development of English as a second language
❍
❍
❍
❍
Ensuring access to the internet for all
❍
❍
❍
❍
Attracting new businesses to the community
❍
❍
❍
❍
Supporting existing local businesses
❍
❍
❍
❍
*26. In the past year, have you made any purchases that were prompted by your use of the
library service?
❍❍ Yes
❍❍ No
27. IF ‘YES’ IN QUESTION 26: What kind of purchases have you made?
❍❍ Not Applicable
❍❍ Book, magazine, CD, DVD, etc
❍❍ Membership, tuition, courses, etc
❍❍ Equipment, computer, camera, etc
❍❍ Other (please specify)
*28. IF ‘YES’ IN QUESTION 26: How much did you spend in total during the past year on
these purchases?
❍❍ Not Applicable
❍❍ $0-$10
❍❍ $11-$20
❍❍ $21-$50
❍❍ $51-$100
❍❍ $101-$250
❍❍ Over $250
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
101
Appendix 1
The questions in this section are designed to
estimate the value of the services provided
through your public library.
Library User Survey
This information will be used to understand value, not to
develop user charges.
There is no indication that library fees will increase.
*29. T
hinking about your typical library usage over
the past twelve months, what do you estimate
it would have cost you if you had to pay for
the services from private businesses? (Please
tick a range or enter a specific amount.)
Specific Amount (Please specify in Question 30 below)
❍❍ Nothing
❍❍ $1 to $50
❍❍ $51 to $100
❍❍ $101 to $250
❍❍ $251 to $500
❍❍ $501 to $750
❍❍ More than $750
*30. If you answered ‘Specific Amount’ in Question
29, please provide a specific dollar value.
❍❍ Not applicable
❍❍ Specific Amount
_______________________________________________
*31. T
hinking from the broader community
perspective, if the public library was not
funded by government, how much would you
be willing to pay to maintain the community’s
access to the current services?
❍❍ Not applicable
❍❍ Specific Amount
_______________________________________________
*33. When thinking about your response to the
previous questions, please nominate which
of the following best describes the way
you responded.
❍❍ The amount is what I think libraries are worth.
❍❍ Libraries are worth MORE than this, but I can’t afford
more / don’t want to pay more.
❍❍ Libraries are currently worth LESS than this, but extra
funds could pay for better services.
34. Do you have any other comments on how the
library contributes to the community and/or
the library’s value to you?
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
The following information helps us know what library patrons
are like. This demographic information is anonymous and
will be kept private.
*35. Gender:
❍❍ Male
There is no indication that library fees will increase. This
information will be used to understand value, not to develop
user charges.
*36. What year were you born?
Specific Amount (Please specify in Question 32 below)
_______________________________________________
❍❍ Nothing
❍❍ $1 to $25 per annum
❍❍ $26 to $50 per annum
❍❍ $51 to $100 per annum
❍❍ $101 to $250 per annum
102
*32. If you answered ‘Specific Amount’ in
Question 31, please provide a specific
dollar value.
❍❍ Female
*37. In which country were you born?
❍❍ Australia
❍❍ Other (please specify)
_______________________________________________
❍❍ $251 to $500 per annum
*38. What is the postcode of your home address?
❍❍ More than $500 per annum
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
The Library Dividend
*39. Is English the primary language spoken in
your home?
44. Please enter your email address. (Note: This
will be kept private.)
❍❍ Yes
_______________________________________________
❍❍ No
*40. What is your household composition?
❍❍ Alone
❍❍ Couple, no dependent children Thank you for completing this survey. The information you
have provided will be an invaluable resource for the State
Library of Queensland.
Again, all information you have provided will be kept private.
❍❍ Single parent with dependent children
The purpose of this survey is to gain an understanding of
the perceived value of Queensland Public Libraries, not to
develop user charges.
❍❍ Other family
Thank you.
❍❍ Couple, with dependent children
❍❍ Group household
❍❍ Other (please specify)
_______________________________________________
*41. Which of the following describes you best?
(Select one.)
❍❍ Employed full-time
❍❍ Employed part-time
❍❍ Looking for work
❍❍ Domestic duties/carer
❍❍ Full-time student
❍❍ Retired
*42. What is your highest level of education?
Online User Survey Results
Notes
Some percentages have been rounded off. When this
occurs, totals by be marginally more or marginally less than
100 per cent.
Percentages add to more than 100 when multiple responses
were possible.
When the term ‘significant’ is used, it refers to a statistically
significant difference between two percentages.
Tabulated Results
Refer overleaf.
❍❍ Primary / high school
❍❍ Trade / technical / business college
❍❍ University – Undergraduate degree
❍❍ University – Postgraduate degree
*43. What is your approximate annual household
income before tax?
❍❍ Under $15,000
❍❍ $15,000 - $24,999
❍❍ $25,000 - $39,999
❍❍ $40,000 -$ 59,999
❍❍ $60,000 - $79,999
❍❍ $80,000 - $99,999
❍❍ $100,000 - $119,999
❍❍ $120,000 - $149,999
❍❍ $150,000 - $199,999
❍❍ Over $200,000
❍❍ Rather not say
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
103
The Library Dividend
Total
Goondiwindi
Mount Isa
Paroo
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
1449
(100%)
(100%)
-
-
-
-
-
4926
(2%)
120
(1%)
52
(1%)
59
(12%)
586
(6%)
277
(48%)
-
(100%)
(29%)
2383
1449
Brisbane
1449
Total
(100%)
2383
-
-
-
-
-
(100%)
2383
-
Sunshine
Coast
-
-
(100%)
277
-
-
-
-
(100%)
277
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
586
-
-
-
(100%)
586
-
-
-
Mackay
Library
-
-
-
-
(100%)
59
-
-
(100%)
59
Paroo
(100%)
52
-
(100%)
52
-
-
-
-
-
Mount Isa
(100%)
120
(100%)
120
-
-
-
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(1%)
1
(1%)
1
(0%)
0
(15%)
18
(5%)
6
(61%)
73
(17%)
20
0-17
(100%)
534
(3%)
15
(2%)
13
(2%)
12
(25%)
132
(3%)
16
(37%)
200
(27%)
146
18-34
Age
(100%)
1773
(3%)
60
(1%)
19
(1%)
15
(13%)
239
(4%)
75
(49%)
864
(28%)
501
35-54
(100%)
1828
(2%)
38
(1%)
14
(1%)
27
(6%)
109
(7%)
125
(51%)
935
(32%)
580
55+
Library User Survey
Table 14:
Library Service Used (Q2)
(100%)
672
(1%)
6
(1%)
5
(1%)
5
(13%)
88
(8%)
55
(46%)
311
(30%)
202
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
104
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
105
Total Going to several
places Going ONLY to
the library and
nowhere else (100%)
(100%)
(60%)
(64%)
1449
873
(40%)
(36%)
3169
576
Brisbane
1757
Total
4926
Table 15:
Purpose of the Trip (Q3)
(100%)
2383
(68%)
1623
(32%)
760
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
277
(66%)
184
(34%)
93
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
586
(58%)
341
(42%)
245
Mackay
Library
(100%)
59
(56%)
33
(44%)
26
Paroo
(100%)
52
(56%)
29
(44%)
23
Mount Isa
(100%)
120
(72%)
86
(28%)
34
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(39%)
47
(61%)
72
0-17
(100%)
534
(61%)
325
(39%)
209
18-34
Age
(100%)
1773
(65%)
1152
(35%)
621
35-54
(100%)
1828
(66%)
1213
(34%)
615
55+
(100%)
672
(64%)
432
(36%)
240
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
Average Alternative
Locations Visited
per Respondent
Actual
Respondents
Total
Other
Outdoor Leisure
Place
Indoor Leisure
Place
Private Home
Other Shops
Grocery Shops
Cafe/Restaurant
2.17
2.25
873
(225%)
(217%)
3,169
1963
(13%)
(15%)
6889
115
(7%)
(11%)
474
63
(6%)
(5%)
343
52
(9%)
(8%)
166
81
(57%)
(54%)
269
497
(91%)
(88%)
1716
791
(42%)
(35%)
2802
364
Brisbane
1119
Total
2.14
1623
(214%)
3466
(15%)
248
(15%)
241
(5%)
87
(7%)
115
(51%)
823
(86%)
1401
(34%)
551
Sunshine
Coast
2.10
184
(210%)
387
(13%)
24
(3%)
6
(4%)
7
(9%)
17
(61%)
113
(89%)
164
(30%)
56
Fraser
Coast
2.17
341
(217%)
740
(16%)
54
(8%)
27
(5%)
17
(10%)
35
(55%)
189
(92%)
314
(30%)
104
Mackay
Library
2.61
33
(261%)
86
(15%)
5
(3%)
1
(3%)
1
(18%)
6
(76%)
25
(94%)
31
(52%)
17
Paroo
1.90
29
(190%)
55
(28%)
8
(7%)
2
(3%)
1
(7%)
2
(48%)
14
(83%)
24
(14%)
4
Mount Isa
2.23
86
(223%)
192
(23%)
20
(3%)
3
(1%)
1
(15%)
13
(64%)
55
(90%)
77
(27%)
23
Goondiwindi
2.77
47
(277%)
130
(21%)
10
(19%)
9
(2%)
1
(28%)
13
(85%)
40
(85%)
40
(36%)
17
0-17
2.24
325
(224%)
728
(13%)
42
(13%)
43
(6%)
21
(14%)
46
(56%)
183
(83%)
270
(38%)
123
18-34
Age
2.13
1152
(213%)
2448
(16%)
184
(13%)
153
(5%)
58
(8%)
95
(50%)
580
(90%)
1032
(30%)
346
35-54
2.17
1213
(217%)
2630
(14%)
165
(7%)
87
(5%)
59
(6%)
77
(55%)
673
(90%)
1088
(40%)
481
55+
Library User Survey
Table 16:
Other places visited as part of the trip (Q4)
2.21
432
(221%)
953
(17%)
73
(12%)
51
(6%)
27
(9%)
38
(56%)
240
(86%)
372
(35%)
152
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
106
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
107
Total Other
(please specify) Bicycle Walk Public Transport Car Table 17:
Mode of travel (Q5)
1427
(100%)
(100%)
(3%)
(2%)
4866
37
(2%)
(2%)
77
22
(16%)
(11%)
114
231
(10%)
(4%)
539
141
(70%)
(81%)
198
996
Brisbane
3938
Total
(100%)
2356
(1%)
30
(3%)
65
(10%)
227
(2%)
44
(84%)
1990
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
272
(1%)
4
(4%)
12
(4%)
12
(2%)
6
(88%)
238
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
582
(1%)
3
(2%)
11
(8%)
45
(1%)
6
(89%)
517
Mackay
Library
(100%)
57
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(14%)
8
(2%)
1
(84%)
48
Paroo
(100%)
52
(6%)
3
(4%)
2
(12%)
6
(0%)
0
(79%)
41
Mount Isa
(100%)
120
(0%)
0
(2%)
2
(8%)
10
(0%)
0
(90%)
108
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(3%)
3
(7%)
8
(24%)
28
(11%)
13
(56%)
67
0-17
(100%)
534
(1%)
7
(2%)
13
(13%)
67
(10%)
52
(74%)
395
18-34
Age
(100%)
1773
(1%)
26
(2%)
43
(10%)
178
(3%)
47
(83%)
1479
35-54
(100%)
1828
(2%)
29
(2%)
38
(11%)
193
(3%)
47
(83%)
1521
55+
(100%)
612
(2%)
12
(2%)
12
(12%)
73
(6%)
39
(78%)
476
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
Total Mean score
51+km 21 - 50km 11 - 20km 6 - 10km 0 - 5km 1427
(100%)
4866
(100%)
4.7
(0%)
(1%)
7.7
2
(1%)
(4%)
61
17
(5%)
(14%)
196
72
(19%)
(28%)
675
277
(74%)
(53%)
1348
1059
Brisbane
2586
Total
(100%)
2356
8.2**
(1%)
12
(3%)
82
(19%)
447
(34%)
805
(43%)
1010
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
272
10.3**
(1%)
4
(11%)
30
(15%)
41
(28%)
77
(44%)
120
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
582
11.0
(3%)
16
(10%)
57
(19%)
108
(28%)
162
(41%)
239
Mackay
Library
(100%)
57
11.9*
(18%)
10
(2%)
1
(0%)
0
(5%)
3
(75%)
43
Paroo
(100%)
52
4.3**
(0%)
0
(2%)
1
(2%)
1
(17%)
9
(79%)
41
Mount Isa
(100%)
120
12.9**
(14%)
17
(7%)
8
(5%)
6
(13%)
15
(62%)
74
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
8.3*
(1%)
1
(5%)
6
(18%)
21
(26%)
31
(50%)
60
0-17
(100%)
534
8.0*
(1%)
3
(4%)
23
(16%)
88
(31%)
165
(48%)
255
18-34
(100%)
1773
8.1*
(1%)
22
(5%)
82
(16%)
275
(27%)
480
(52%)
914
35-54
Age
(100%)
1828
7.1**
(1%)
24
(3%)
60
(11%)
197
(27%)
496
(57%)
1051
55+
Library User Survey
Table 18:
Distance travelled (Q6)
(100%)
612
8.3*
(2%)
11
(4%)
25
(15%)
94
(29%)
176
(50%)
306
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
108
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
109
(100%)
1427
(100%)
2356
2.1*
(0%)
3
(0%)
6
(1%)
21
(36%)
845
(63%)
1481
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
272
2.1*
(0%)
0
(1%)
3
(1%)
3
(31%)
84
(67%)
182
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
582
2.3*
(0%)
1
(1%)
7
(3%)
15
(28%)
162
(68%)
397
Mackay
Library
(100%)
57
6.0*
(7%)
4
(5%)
3
(0%)
0
(12%)
7
(75%)
43
Paroo
7 *Single and **double asterisks denote significance at the five and one per cent levels to the overall mean
(100%)
4866
Total 1.8*
(0%)
(0%)
2.1**
3
(0%)
(0%)
14
3
(1%)
(1%)
23
20
(27%)
(31%)
64
390
(71%)
(67%)
1513
1011
Brisbane
3252
Total
Mean score
over $51 $21 - $50 $11 - $20 $0 - $10 Nothing Table 19:
Travel costs for this trip (Q7)7
(100%)
52
1.3*
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(2%)
1
(19%)
10
(79%)
41
Mount Isa
(100%)
120
2.7*
(3%)
3
(1%)
1
(3%)
4
(13%)
15
(81%)
97
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
2.1*
(0%)
0
(1%)
1
(3%)
4
(25%)
30
(71%)
84
0-17
(100%)
534
2.2*
(0%)
2
(0%)
1
(1%)
8
(35%)
185
(63%)
338
18-34
(100%)
1773
2.0*
(0%)
5
(1%)
9
(1%)
20
(31%)
543
(67%)
1196
35-54
Age
(100%)
1828
1.9*
(0%)
3
(0%)
8
(1%)
19
(30%)
542
(69%)
1256
55+
(100%)
612
2.6*
(1%)
4
(1%)
4
(2%)
13
(35%)
213
(62%)
378
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
1427
(100%)
4866
(100%)
Total 17.8
(15%)
(19%)
19.5
215
(19%)
(19%)
906
272
(18%)
(16%)
946
250
(17%)
(15%)
797
238
(32%)
(30%)
735
452
Brisbane
1482
Total
Mean score
over $51 $21 - $50 $11 - $20 $0 - $10 Nothing (100%)
2356
20.0
(18%)
425
(21%)
501
(18%)
414
(15%)
352
(28%)
664
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
272
21.8
(25%)
68
(19%)
52
(11%)
29
(15%)
41
(30%)
82
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
582
19.6
(23%)
136
(15%)
87
(12%)
72
(13%)
74
(37%)
213
Mackay
Library
(100%)
57
19.4
(21%)
12
(19%)
11
(9%)
5
(12%)
7
(39%)
22
Paroo
(100%)
52
16.7
(17%)
9
(12%)
6
(21%)
11
(13%)
7
(37%)
19
Mount Isa
(100%)
120
25.1
(34%)
41
(14%)
17
(13%)
16
(13%)
16
(25%)
30
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
8.7
(5%)
6
(8%)
9
(14%)
17
(27%)
32
(46%)
55
0-17
(100%)
534
13.7
(8%)
45
(16%)
86
(19%)
99
(19%)
102
(38%)
202
18-34
(100%)
1773
20.1
(22%)
382
(18%)
316
(14%)
253
(14%)
249
(32%)
573
35-54
Age
(100%)
1828
21.3
(20%)
361
(23%)
413
(18%)
322
(14%)
250
(26%)
482
55+
Library User Survey
Table 20:
Other expenditure this trip (Q8)
(100%)
612
19.7
(18%)
112
(20%)
122
(17%)
106
(17%)
102
(28%)
170
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
110
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
111
Total
Mean score
over 2 hours
1 hour - 2 hours
46 minutes 1 hour
31 - 45 minutes
11 - 30 minutes
0 - 10 minutes
1413
(100%)
4824
(100%)
36.2*
(5%)
(4%)
36.6**
72
(8%)
(8%)
182
117
(12%)
(14%)
385
168
(20%)
(23%)
689
287
(44%)
(43%)
1128
618
(11%)
(8%)
2075
151
Brisbane
365
Total
Table 21:
Time spent at the library this trip (Q9)
(100%)
2337
35.7*
(3%)
64
(7%)
166
(15%)
349
(25%)
585
(44%)
1023
(6%)
150
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
269
41.8*
(7%)
20
(11%)
30
(14%)
39
(19%)
52
(40%)
108
(7%)
20
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
577
41.2*
(3%)
20
(11%)
65
(18%)
102
(28%)
160
(36%)
208
(4%)
22
Mackay
Library
(100%)
56
26.1*
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(9%)
5
(29%)
16
(54%)
30
(9%)
5
Paroo
(100%)
52
43.6**
(8%)
4
(10%)
5
(21%)
11
(15%)
8
(44%)
23
(2%)
1
Mount Isa
(100%)
120
27.1
(2%)
2
(2%)
2
(13%)
15
(17%)
20
(54%)
65
(13%)
16
Goondiwindi
4
(100%)
119
57.4
(18%)
22
(15%)
18
(18%)
22
(17%)
20
(28%)
33
(3%)
0-17
(100%)
534
39.6
(5%)
27
(11%)
58
(16%)
86
(20%)
106
(39%)
210
(9%)
47
18-34
(100%)
1773
35.6*
(3%)
45
(7%)
124
(17%)
299
(24%)
427
(42%)
745
(8%)
133
35-54
Age
(100%)
1828
34.2**
(3%)
58
(7%)
124
(11%)
209
(24%)
434
(47%)
856
(8%)
147
55+
(100%)
570
40.1*
(5%)
30
(11%)
61
(13%)
73
(25%)
141
(41%)
231
(6%)
34
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
Total 1413
(100%)
(100%)
0.5
4824
0.3
Mean score
(visits per week)
2.2
(0%)
(1%)
3.6
3
(1%)
(2%)
28
9
(2%)
(5%)
84
26
(4%)
(7%)
249
61
(18%)
(23%)
340
253
(28%)
(29%)
1116
399
(47%)
(33%)
1411
662
Brisbane
1596
Total
Mean score
(weeks between
visits)
Less than
once a year
1-2 times a year 3-4 times a year Once every
5-8 weeks Once every
3-4 weeks Once every
1-2 weeks Weekly or more
often (100%)
2337
0.3
3.6
(0%)
7
(1%)
25
(6%)
144
(9%)
203
(27%)
620
(30%)
701
(27%)
637
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
269
0.3
3.3
(0%)
0
(2%)
6
(3%)
9
(6%)
16
(26%)
71
(26%)
71
(36%)
96
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
577
0.1
7.3
(3%)
16
(6%)
37
(10%)
58
(8%)
48
(21%)
119
(27%)
157
(25%)
142
Mackay
Library
(100%)
56
0.5
2.1
(0%)
0
(2%)
1
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(14%)
8
(52%)
29
(32%)
18
Paroo
(100%)
52
0.3
3.7
(2%)
1
(0%)
0
(8%)
4
(6%)
3
(13%)
7
(37%)
19
(35%)
18
Mount Isa
(100%)
120
0.2
5.5
(1%)
1
(5%)
6
(7%)
8
(8%)
9
(32%)
38
(29%)
35
(19%)
23
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
0.3
3.6
(0%)
0
(3%)
3
(7%)
8
(8%)
10
(12%)
14
(29%)
34
(42%)
50
0-17
(100%)
534
0.2
5.8
(2%)
10
(4%)
23
(9%)
50
(7%)
39
(20%)
107
(25%)
132
(32%)
173
18-34
(100%)
1773
0.3
3.7
(1%)
9
(1%)
24
(6%)
100
(9%)
158
(25%)
438
(29%)
509
(30%)
535
35-54
Age
(100%)
1828
0.4
2.7
(0%)
4
(1%)
16
(3%)
56
(5%)
93
(24%)
431
(31%)
573
(36%)
655
55+
Library User Survey
Table 22:
Average use of this library’s service (Q10)
(100%)
570
0.2
4.4
(1%)
5
(3%)
18
(6%)
35
(7%)
40
(22%)
126
(29%)
163
(32%)
183
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
112
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
113
1407
(100%)
(100%)
(12%)
(19%)
4798
162
(88%)
(81%)
923
1245
Brisbane
3875
Total
Actual Respondents
Total
Other
Hand held device
Laptop
Fixed PC
1,407
(127%)
(108%)
4,798
1,784
(2%)
(2%)
5,161
29
(16%)
(11%)
72
229
(45%)
(44%)
546
638
(63%)
(51%)
2106
888
Brisbane
2437
Total
Table 24:
Device used to access library website (Q12)
Total
No
Yes
Table 23:
Accessed library website (elsewhere) (Q11)
2,323
(108%)
2,514
(1%)
34
(10%)
230
(48%)
1105
(49%)
1145
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
2323
(15%)
353
(85%)
1970
Sunshine
Coast
267
(102%)
272
(1%)
2
(8%)
21
(42%)
111
(52%)
138
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
267
(22%)
59
(78%)
208
Fraser
Coast
574
(90%)
518
(1%)
5
(11%)
63
(39%)
223
(40%)
227
Mackay
Library
(100%)
574
(32%)
185
(68%)
389
Mackay
Library
56
(21%)
12
(0%)
0
(2%)
1
(9%)
5
(11%)
6
Paroo
(100%)
56
(86%)
48
(14%)
8
Paroo
52
(65%)
34
(4%)
2
(4%)
2
(29%)
15
(29%)
15
Mount Isa
(100%)
52
(50%)
26
(50%)
26
Mount Isa
119
(23%)
27
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(8%)
9
(15%)
18
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(76%)
90
(24%)
29
Goondiwindi
118
(124%)
146
(3%)
4
(25%)
29
(54%)
64
(42%)
49
0-17
(100%)
118
(21%)
25
(79%)
93
0-17
533
(119%)
634
(2%)
9
(22%)
117
(55%)
291
(41%)
217
18-34
(100%)
533
(22%)
118
(78%)
415
18-34
1768
(115%)
2,042
(1%)
24
(14%)
239
(47%)
825
(54%)
954
35-54
Age
(100%)
1768
(16%)
285
(84%)
1483
35-54
Age
1817
(99%)
1,804
(1%)
27
(5%)
98
(39%)
705
(54%)
974
55+
(100%)
1817
(19%)
338
(81%)
1479
55+
562
(95%)
535
(1%)
8
(11%)
63
(39%)
221
(43%)
243
Undisclosed
(100%)
562
(28%)
157
(72%)
405
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
Total
More than
four times
Four times
Three times
Twice
Once
1255
(100%)
(100%)
(50%)
(32%)
3857
622
(10%)
(9%)
1227
125
(13%)
(14%)
328
159
(16%)
(21%)
552
206
(11%)
(24%)
816
143
Brisbane
934
Total
(100%)
1949
(23%)
457
(8%)
151
(15%)
302
(24%)
464
(30%)
575
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
209
(32%)
67
(7%)
15
(15%)
31
(22%)
45
(24%)
51
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
382
(20%)
76
(9%)
33
(15%)
57
(24%)
93
(32%)
123
Mackay
Library
(100%)
9
(11%)
1
(22%)
2
(11%)
1
(11%)
1
(44%)
4
Paroo
(100%)
25
(12%)
3
(8%)
2
(8%)
2
(8%)
2
(64%)
16
Mount Isa
(100%)
28
(4%)
1
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(18%)
5
(79%)
22
Goondiwindi
(100%)
96
(41%)
39
(4%)
4
(11%)
11
(19%)
18
(25%)
24
0-17
(100%)
411
(38%)
156
(8%)
31
(15%)
60
(15%)
63
(25%)
101
18-34
(100%)
1476
(32%)
477
(8%)
121
(13%)
198
(22%)
324
(24%)
356
35-54
Age
(100%)
1456
(30%)
440
(10%)
143
(15%)
224
(21%)
308
(23%)
341
55+
Library User Survey
Table 25:
Accessed library website (elsewhere, past month) (Q13)
(100%)
418
(28%)
115
(7%)
29
(14%)
59
(25%)
103
(27%)
112
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
114
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
115
Total
Not a Purpose
Secondary
Purpose
Main Purpose
1369
(100%)
(100%)
(2%)
(1%)
4676
22
(5%)
(6%)
65
65
(94%)
(92%)
292
1282
Brisbane
4319
Total
Table 27:
Purpose classification (Recreation) (Q14)
Accompanying others
Social
To look something up
Study/education
Recreation
Table 26:
Purpose classification (Q14)
Fraser
Coast
Library
(100%)
2264
(1%)
20
(7%)
151
(92%)
2093
(100%)
259
(1%)
2
(7%)
17
(93%)
240
(100%)
560
(3%)
19
(8%)
44
(89%)
497
Mackay
(100%)
55
(0%)
0
(2%)
1
(98%)
54
Paroo
(28%)
(9%)
Sunshine
Coast
1,313
(23%)
(6%)
420
1,057
(48%)
(20%)
282
2,233
(37%)
(16%)
928
1,745
(6%)
(92%)
737
292
(100%)
50
(2%)
1
(12%)
6
(86%)
43
Mount Isa
Secondary Purpose
4,319
Main Purpose
(100%)
119
(1%)
1
(7%)
8
(92%)
110
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(6%)
7
(11%)
13
(83%)
99
0-17
(63%)
2,943
(71%)
3337
(32%)
1,515
(47%)
2,194
(1%)
65
Not a Purpose
(100%)
534
(2%)
13
(9%)
48
(89%)
473
18-34
(100%)
1773
(1%)
12
(6%)
106
(93%)
1655
35-54
Age
(100%)
1828
(1%)
21
(5%)
94
(94%)
1713
55+
(100%)
4,676
(100%)
4,676
(100%)
4,676
(100%)
4,676
(100%)
4,676
Total
(100%)
422
(3%)
12
(7%)
31
(90%)
379
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
1369
(100%)
(100%)
(52%)
(47%)
4676
711
(34%)
(37%)
2194
466
(14%)
(16%)
1745
192
Brisbane
737
Total
Total
Not a Purpose
Secondary
Purpose
Main Purpose
1369
(100%)
(100%)
(40%)
(32%)
4676
542
(44%)
(48%)
1515
596
(17%)
(20%)
2233
231
Brisbane
928
Total
Table 29:
Purpose classification (Something to look up) (Q14)
Total
Not a Purpose
Secondary
Purpose
Main Purpose
(100%)
2264
(29%)
659
(51%)
1144
(20%)
461
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
2264
(43%)
978
(40%)
913
(16%)
373
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
259
(28%)
73
(47%)
123
(24%)
63
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
259
(51%)
132
(35%)
90
(14%)
37
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
560
(31%)
172
(47%)
261
(23%)
127
Mackay
Library
(100%)
560
(47%)
264
(35%)
194
(18%)
102
Mackay
Library
(100%)
55
(49%)
27
(36%)
20
(15%)
8
Paroo
(100%)
55
(65%)
36
(24%)
13
(11%)
6
Paroo
(100%)
50
(28%)
14
(52%)
26
(20%)
10
Mount Isa
(100%)
50
(46%)
23
(34%)
17
(20%)
10
Mount Isa
(100%)
119
(24%)
28
(53%)
63
(24%)
28
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(42%)
50
(44%)
52
(14%)
17
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(20%)
24
(49%)
58
(31%)
37
0-17
(100%)
119
(18%)
22
(44%)
52
(38%)
45
0-17
(100%)
534
(31%)
166
(48%)
254
(21%)
114
18-34
(100%)
534
(38%)
201
(39%)
207
(24%)
126
18-34
(100%)
1773
(33%)
577
(47%)
841
(20%)
355
35-54
Age
(100%)
1773
(44%)
780
(40%)
701
(16%)
292
35-54
Age
(100%)
1828
(34%)
615
(49%)
889
(18%)
324
55+
(100%)
1828
(55%)
1003
(34%)
627
(11%)
198
55+
Library User Survey
Table 28:
Purpose classification (Study/education) (Q14)
(100%)
422
(32%)
133
(45%)
191
(23%)
98
Undisclosed
(100%)
422
(45%)
188
(37%)
158
(18%)
76
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
116
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
117
1369
(100%)
(100%)
(71%)
(71%)
4676
973
(23%)
(23%)
3337
321
(5%)
(6%)
1057
75
Brisbane
282
Total
Total
Not a Purpose
Secondary
Purpose
Main Purpose
1369
(100%)
(100%)
(68%)
(63%)
4676
927
(25%)
(28%)
2943
338
(8%)
(9%)
1313
104
Brisbane
420
Total
Table 31:
Purpose classification (Accompanying others) (Q14)
Total
Not a Purpose
Secondary
Purpose
Main Purpose
Table 30:
Purpose classification (Social) (Q14)
(100%)
2264
(61%)
1386
(30%)
669
(9%)
209
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
2264
(74%)
1674
(21%)
467
(5%)
123
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
259
(70%)
182
(23%)
59
(7%)
18
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
259
(68%)
177
(25%)
64
(7%)
18
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
560
(55%)
308
(32%)
177
(13%)
75
Mackay
Library
(100%)
560
(67%)
375
(25%)
138
(8%)
47
Mackay
Library
(100%)
55
(73%)
40
(25%)
14
(2%)
1
Paroo
(100%)
55
(65%)
36
(25%)
14
(9%)
5
Paroo
(100%)
50
(58%)
29
(36%)
18
(6%)
3
Mount Isa
(100%)
50
(68%)
34
(26%)
13
(6%)
3
Mount Isa
(100%)
119
(60%)
71
(32%)
38
(8%)
10
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(57%)
68
(34%)
40
(9%)
11
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(53%)
63
(29%)
35
(18%)
21
0-17
(100%)
119
(55%)
65
(28%)
33
(18%)
21
0-17
(100%)
534
(58%)
310
(33%)
174
(9%)
50
18-34
(100%)
534
(62%)
332
(29%)
156
(9%)
46
18-34
(100%)
1773
(54%)
961
(34%)
609
(11%)
203
35-54
Age
(100%)
1773
(71%)
1263
(23%)
416
(5%)
94
35-54
Age
(100%)
1828
(73%)
1343
(21%)
385
(5%)
100
55+
(100%)
1828
(76%)
1384
(19%)
354
(5%)
90
55+
(100%)
422
(63%)
266
(26%)
110
(11%)
46
Undisclosed
(100%)
422
(69%)
293
(23%)
98
(7%)
31
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
Actual Respondents
1,369
(306%)
(314%)
4,676
4194
73
(5%)
267
(6%)
Other (please specify)
14693
(20%)
(22%)
Total
276
(9%)
(7%)
1006
119
344
Meet socially with friends
Read, watch or listen to
library materials.
86
(6%)
252
(21%)
(26%)
(5%)
292
(11%)
(9%)
1207
154
409
231
(17%)
987
(9%)
(8%)
(21%)
120
(17%)
373
(19%)
Attend a civic/
community meeting
Attend a program,
event or activity
Use a study desk/
meeting room
Seek staff assistance with
reference enquiries
Use the computers for
other purposes
239
303
(22%)
1224
(26%)
Use reference materials
891
(9%)
(8%)
Access the Internet
123
(64%)
(61%)
383
870
2866
1308
(96%)
4484
Brisbane
(96%)
Total
Accessing or downloading
other electronic resources
Borrow videos,
CDs or DVDs
Borrow books or other
print materials
2,264
(321%)
7277
(6%)
132
(22%)
508
(6%)
142
(5%)
121
(31%)
693
(8%)
170
(23%)
516
(8%)
176
(21%)
471
(28%)
626
(8%)
178
(60%)
1355
(97%)
2189
Sunshine
Coast
259
(309%)
800
(8%)
21
(22%)
58
(5%)
13
(4%)
11
(19%)
48
(7%)
19
(21%)
55
(8%)
22
(17%)
44
(30%)
78
(10%)
27
(58%)
151
(98%)
253
Fraser
Coast
560
(304%)
1700
(6%)
36
(23%)
129
(9%)
50
(4%)
23
(22%)
123
(9%)
48
(19%)
105
(7%)
37
(18%)
98
(27%)
152
(7%)
41
(61%)
339
(93%)
519
Mackay
Library
55
(285%)
157
(0%)
0
(11%)
6
(15%)
8
(2%)
1
(24%)
13
(2%)
1
(31%)
17
(7%)
4
(22%)
12
(15%)
8
(9%)
5
(53%)
29
(96%)
53
Paroo
50
(330%)
165
(6%)
3
(18%)
9
(8%)
4
(2%)
1
(20%)
10
(14%)
7
(20%)
10
(6%)
3
(16%)
8
(38%)
19
(6%)
3
(82%)
41
(94%)
47
119
(336%)
400
(2%)
2
(17%)
20
(7%)
8
(8%)
9
(24%)
28
(8%)
10
(45%)
53
(9%)
11
(16%)
19
(32%)
38
(5%)
6
(68%)
81
(97%)
115
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
119
(391%)
465
(4%)
5
(39%)
47
(20%)
24
(1%)
1
(13%)
15
(19%)
23
(24%)
29
(22%)
26
(55%)
66
(29%)
34
(17%)
20
(60%)
71
(87%)
104
0-17
534
(321%)
1714
(5%)
27
(27%)
145
(13%)
68
(2%)
12
(25%)
135
(12%)
63
(14%)
76
(11%)
58
(27%)
146
(19%)
102
(11%)
61
(60%)
320
(94%)
501
18-34
1773
(314%)
5563
(5%)
88
(21%)
375
(7%)
119
(4%)
64
(25%)
452
(8%)
133
(20%)
352
(8%)
135
(18%)
323
(24%)
432
(9%)
161
(68%)
1205
(97%)
1724
35-54
Age
1828
(308%)
5622
(7%)
120
(19%)
348
(6%)
102
(9%)
158
(27%)
500
(8%)
152
(23%)
427
(6%)
114
(15%)
267
(30%)
547
(6%)
112
(55%)
1013
(96%)
1762
55+
Library User Survey
Table 32:
Intended library activities this visit (Q15)
422
(315%)
1329
(6%)
27
(22%)
91
(7%)
31
(4%)
17
(25%)
105
(9%)
38
(24%)
103
(9%)
40
(21%)
89
(26%)
109
(7%)
29
(61%)
257
(93%)
393
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
118
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
119
Actual Respondents
Total
Other
Adult literacy
Children’s literacy
1,211
(105%)
(104%)
4,183
1,271
(24%)
(24%)
4,363
286
(6%)
(6%)
1010
70
(10%)
(11%)
250
127
(3%)
(4%)
442
42
179
(62%)
(59%)
Youth program
746
2482
Did not attend a
program or activity
Brisbane
Total
Table 33:
Programs attended over last year (Q16)
2,044
(104%)
2,118
(29%)
590
(7%)
139
(8%)
164
(4%)
88
(56%)
1137
Sunshine
Coast
227
(103%)
234
(16%)
37
(6%)
13
(9%)
20
(3%)
7
(69%)
157
Fraser
Coast
499
(105%)
522
(14%)
71
(3%)
13
(18%)
92
(6%)
32
(63%)
314
Mackay
Library
54
(119%)
64
(15%)
8
(13%)
7
(13%)
7
(9%)
5
(69%)
37
Paroo
45
(104%)
47
(20%)
9
(7%)
3
(13%)
6
(4%)
2
(60%)
27
Mount Isa
103
(104%)
107
(9%)
9
(5%)
5
(25%)
26
(3%)
3
(62%)
64
Goondiwindi
107
(102%)
109
(3%)
3
(1%)
1
(7%)
8
(17%)
18
(74%)
79
0-17
480
(107%)
513
(15%)
73
(4%)
19
(19%)
91
(6%)
29
(63%)
301
18-34
1582
(105%)
1,665
(20%)
323
(5%)
83
(16%)
246
(6%)
99
(58%)
914
35-54
Age
1648
(103%)
1,690
(32%)
524
(7%)
115
(3%)
52
(1%)
17
(60%)
982
55+
366
(105%)
386
(24%)
87
(9%)
32
(12%)
45
(4%)
16
(56%)
206
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
Library website
Staff assistance
Amenity of the
building
Meeting rooms and
other facilities
Computers/Wi-Fi
Collection
Overall Service
1576
(35%)
(46%)
(24%)
(70%)
2085
1090
(38%)
(41%)
3165
1732
(23%)
(20%)
1861
1043
(26%)
(23%)
922
1197
(36%)
(49%)
1053
1624
(22%)
(75%)
2219
1001
Satisfied
3411
Very Satisfied
(9%)
400
(4%)
199
(11%)
482
(8%)
342
(9%)
389
(10%)
467
(3%)
114
Moderate Satisfaction
(1%)
63
(1%)
26
(2%)
90
(2%)
72
(1%)
58
(2%)
69
(0%)
12
Unsatisfied
(1%)
24
(0%)
16
(1%)
39
(0%)
19
(0%)
14
(0%)
14
(0%)
6
Very Unsatisfied
(9%)
404
(1%)
56
(8%)
348
(47%)
2154
(40%)
1841
(3%)
159
(0%)
8
Not Applicable
Library User Survey
Table 34:
Satisfaction rating (Q17)
(100%)
4552
(100%)
4552
(100%)
4552
(100%)
4552
(100%)
4552
(100%)
4552
(100%)
4552
Total
Appendix 1
120
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
121
1338
(100%)
4544
(100%)
Total
(0%)
(0%)
4.7**
2
(1%)
(0%)
6
9
(3%)
(3%)
12
46
(24%)
(22%)
114
315
(72%)
(75%)
1001
966
Brisbane
3411
Total
4.7
1
2
3
4
5
Score
Mean
Score
Very
Unsatisfied
Unsatisfied
Moderate
Satisfaction
Satisfied
Very
Satisfied
Table 35:
Satisfaction rating (Overall service) (Q17)
(100%)
2196
4.8**
(0%)
3
(0%)
2
(2%)
37
(21%)
455
(77%)
1699
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
249
4.8*
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(4%)
9
(17%)
42
(80%)
198
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
540
4.6**
(0%)
1
(0%)
0
(4%)
20
(27%)
147
(69%)
372
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
4.9**
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(15%)
8
(85%)
46
Paroo
(100%)
49
4.5*
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(4%)
2
(39%)
19
(57%)
28
Mount Isa
(100%)
118
4.8**
(0%)
0
(1%)
1
(0%)
0
(13%)
15
(86%)
102
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
4.7*
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(3%)
4
(25%)
30
(71%)
85
0-17
(100%)
532
4.6
(0%)
0
(0%)
1
(6%)
31
(30%)
162
(64%)
338
18-34
(100%)
1772
4.7*
(0%)
1
(0%)
6
(2%)
43
(24%)
433
(73%)
1289
35-54
Age
(100%)
1825
4.8
(0%)
4
(0%)
1
(1%)
25
(17%)
305
(82%)
1490
55+
(100%)
296
4.6*
(0%)
1
(1%)
4
(4%)
11
(24%)
71
(71%)
209
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
(100%)
(100%)
(100%)
2121
4.4*
(0%)
3
(1%)
27
(10%)
222
(35%)
750
(53%)
1119
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
240
4.4*
(0%)
0
(3%)
6
(9%)
22
(36%)
87
(52%)
125
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
523
4.3*
(1%)
4
(2%)
8
(10%)
50
(43%)
224
(45%)
237
Mackay
Library
(100%)
49
4.6*
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(2%)
1
(41%)
20
(57%)
28
Paroo
8 *Single and **double asterisks denote significance at the five and one per cent levels to the overall mean
1300
4393
Total
(1%)
(0%)
4.3*
7
(2%)
(2%)
14
25
(12%)
(11%)
69
157
(37%)
(37%)
467
480
(49%)
(51%)
1624
631
Brisbane
2219
Total
4.4
1
2
3
4
5
Score
Mean
Score
Very
Unsatisfied
Unsatisfied
Moderate
Satisfaction
Satisfied
Very
Satisfied
(100%)
49
4.2*
(0%)
0
(4%)
2
(10%)
5
(49%)
24
(37%)
18
Mount Isa
(100%)
111
4.4*
(0%)
0
(1%)
1
(9%)
10
(35%)
39
(55%)
61
Goondiwindi
(100%)
117
4.3*
(0%)
0
(2%)
2
(14%)
16
(38%)
45
(46%)
54
0-17
(100%)
520
4.2**
(1%)
3
(2%)
8
(13%)
67
(43%)
221
(43%)
221
18-34
(100%)
1733
4.3*
(0%)
3
(2%)
28
(11%)
189
(38%)
660
(49%)
853
35-54
Age
(100%)
1742
4.4**
(0%)
4
(2%)
27
(9%)
162
(35%)
608
(54%)
941
55+
Library User Survey
Table 36:
Satisfaction rating (Collection) (Q17)8
(100%)
281
4.3*
(1%)
4
(1%)
4
(12%)
33
(32%)
90
(53%)
150
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
122
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
123
1
2
3
4
5
Score
(100%)
2711
(100%)
791
4.1**
(1%)
(1%)
4.2
9
(3%)
(2%)
14
27
(18%)
(14%)
58
146
(41%)
(44%)
389
325
(36%)
(39%)
1197
284
Brisbane
1053
Total
(100%)
1875
4.5
(0%)
1
(1%)
19
(8%)
153
(31%)
583
(60%)
1119
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
213
4.5
(0%)
1
(2%)
5
(6%)
13
(32%)
69
(59%)
125
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
463
4.4
(0%)
2
(0%)
2
(12%)
55
(36%)
167
(51%)
237
Mackay
Library
(100%)
41
4.6**
(2%)
1
(2%)
1
(0%)
0
(27%)
11
(68%)
28
Paroo
9 *Single and **double asterisks denote significance at the five and one per cent levels to the overall mean
Total
Mean Score
Very
Unsatisfied
Unsatisfied
Moderate
Satisfaction
Satisfied
Very
Satisfied
Table 37:
Satisfaction rating (Computers/Wi-Fi) (Q17)9
(100%)
39
4.2*
(0%)
0
(3%)
1
(18%)
7
(33%)
13
(46%)
18
Mount Isa
(100%)
108
4.4*
(0%)
0
(3%)
3
(14%)
15
(27%)
29
(56%)
61
Goondiwindi
(100%)
106
4.4*
(1%)
1
(5%)
5
(8%)
9
(28%)
30
(58%)
61
0-17
(100%)
409
4.1**
(1%)
3
(3%)
13
(21%)
85
(40%)
165
(35%)
143
18-34
(100%)
1101
4.2*
(0%)
5
(2%)
24
(14%)
159
(44%)
481
(39%)
432
35-54
Age
(100%)
900
4.2*
(0%)
4
(1%)
11
(12%)
107
(49%)
438
(38%)
340
55+
(100%)
195
4.2*
(1%)
1
(3%)
5
(15%)
29
(43%)
83
(39%)
77
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
1
2
3
4
5
Score
674
(100%)
2398
(100%)
4.2**
(1%)
(1%)
4.2
4
(3%)
(3%)
19
19
(12%)
(14%)
72
80
(41%)
(43%)
342
279
(43%)
(38%)
1043
292
Brisbane
922
Total
(100%)
1168
4.1*
(1%)
9
(3%)
35
(15%)
179
(44%)
512
(37%)
433
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
126
4.1*
(1%)
1
(4%)
5
(15%)
19
(49%)
62
(31%)
39
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
315
4.2*
(1%)
3
(1%)
4
(15%)
48
(46%)
145
(37%)
115
Mackay
Library
(100%)
20
3.9*
(5%)
1
(20%)
4
(5%)
1
(25%)
5
(45%)
9
Paroo
10 *Single and **double asterisks denote significance at the five and one per cent levels to the overall mean
Total
Mean Score
Very
Unsatisfied
Unsatisfied
Moderate
Satisfaction
Satisfied
Very
Satisfied
(100%)
22
3.8*
(5%)
1
(5%)
1
(18%)
4
(55%)
12
(18%)
4
Mount Isa
(100%)
73
4.2*
(0%)
0
(5%)
4
(15%)
11
(38%)
28
(41%)
30
Goondiwindi
(100%)
86
4.4*
(0%)
0
(1%)
1
(12%)
10
(37%)
32
(50%)
43
0-17
(100%)
316
4.1*
(0%)
0
(4%)
12
(19%)
59
(40%)
125
(38%)
120
18-34
Age
(100%)
893
4.2*
(1%)
5
(2%)
22
(14%)
122
(45%)
398
(39%)
346
35-54
(100%)
933
4.1*
(1%)
11
(4%)
33
(14%)
131
(43%)
404
(38%)
354
55+
Library User Survey
Table 38:
Satisfaction rating (Desks/meeting rooms) (Q17)10
(100%)
170
4.1*
(2%)
3
(2%)
4
(12%)
20
(49%)
84
(35%)
59
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
124
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
125
1
2
3
4
5
Score
(100%)
4204
(100%)
1212
4.2*
(2%)
(1%)
4.3
19
(3%)
(2%)
39
36
(11%)
(11%)
90
129
(40%)
(41%)
482
480
(45%)
(44%)
1732
548
Brisbane
1861
Total
(100%)
2045
4.2*
(1%)
12
(2%)
43
(12%)
251
(42%)
858
(43%)
881
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
236
4.3*
(1%)
2
(2%)
4
(11%)
26
(42%)
98
(45%)
106
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
515
4.3*
(0%)
2
(1%)
4
(9%)
47
(45%)
233
(44%)
229
Mackay
Library
(100%)
43
4.2*
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(21%)
9
(35%)
15
(44%)
19
Paroo
11 *Single and **double asterisks denote significance at the five and one per cent levels to the overall mean
Total
Mean Score
Very
Unsatisfied
Unsatisfied
Moderate
Satisfaction
Satisfied
Very
Satisfied
Table 39:
Satisfaction rating (Amenity of the building) (Q17)11
(100%)
45
3.5**
(9%)
4
(7%)
3
(31%)
14
(31%)
14
(22%)
10
Mount Isa
(100%)
108
4.6
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(6%)
6
(31%)
34
(63%)
68
Goondiwindi
(100%)
114
4.4*
(1%)
1
(0%)
0
(12%)
14
(33%)
38
(54%)
61
0-17
(100%)
497
4.2*
(1%)
5
(2%)
11
(15%)
77
(42%)
207
(40%)
197
18-34
(100%)
1661
4.3*
(1%)
11
(2%)
38
(12%)
194
(40%)
671
(45%)
747
35-54
Age
(100%)
1664
4.3*
(1%)
15
(2%)
32
(10%)
163
(43%)
716
(44%)
738
55+
(100%)
268
4.2*
(3%)
7
(3%)
9
(13%)
34
(37%)
100
(44%)
118
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
1
2
3
4
5
Score
1326
(100%)
4496
(100%)
4.6
(1%)
(0%)
4.6
11
(1%)
(1%)
16
15
(6%)
(4%)
26
82
(26%)
(24%)
199
342
(66%)
(70%)
1090
876
Brisbane
3165
Total
(100%)
2170
4.7**
(0%)
1
(0%)
5
(3%)
72
(24%)
521
(72%)
1571
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
245
4.8**
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(4%)
9
(16%)
40
(80%)
196
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
535
4.6**
(0%)
1
(1%)
5
(6%)
32
(28%)
151
(65%)
346
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
4.9
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(9%)
5
(91%)
49
Paroo
12 *Single and **double asterisks denote significance at the five and one per cent levels to the overall mean
Total
Mean Score
Very
Unsatisfied
Unsatisfied
Moderate
Satisfaction
Satisfied
Very
Satisfied
(100%)
48
4.4*
(4%)
2
(0%)
0
(8%)
4
(29%)
14
(58%)
28
Mount Isa
(100%)
118
4.8**
(1%)
1
(1%)
1
(0%)
0
(14%)
17
(84%)
99
Goondiwindi
(100%)
117
4.6*
(0%)
0
(1%)
1
(8%)
9
(25%)
29
(67%)
78
0-17
(100%)
523
4.5
(0%)
0
(1%)
6
(9%)
47
(29%)
153
(61%)
317
18-34
(100%)
1752
4.6*
(0%)
7
(0%)
8
(5%)
85
(27%)
467
(68%)
1185
35-54
Age
(100%)
1810
4.7
(0%)
5
(0%)
5
(2%)
41
(20%)
367
(77%)
1392
55+
Library User Survey
Table 40:
Satisfaction rating (Staff assistance) (Q17)12
(100%)
294
4.5*
(1%)
4
(2%)
6
(6%)
17
(25%)
74
(66%)
193
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
126
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
127
1
2
3
4
5
Score
1275
(100%)
4148
(100%)
4.3**
(1%)
(1%)
4.4
15
(2%)
(2%)
24
30
(12%)
(10%)
63
157
(37%)
(38%)
400
467
(48%)
(50%)
1576
606
Brisbane
2085
Total
(100%)
2072
4.5
(0%)
4
(0%)
9
(7%)
145
(37%)
766
(55%)
1148
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
224
4.3*
(1%)
2
(2%)
5
(12%)
26
(39%)
88
(46%)
103
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
466
4.2**
(0%)
2
(2%)
11
(12%)
54
(44%)
206
(41%)
193
Mackay
Library
(100%)
15
4.3*
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(13%)
2
(47%)
7
(40%)
6
Paroo
13 *Single and **double asterisks denote significance at the five and one per cent levels to the overall mean
Total
Mean Score
Very
Unsatisfied
Unsatisfied
Moderate
Satisfaction
Satisfied
Very
Satisfied
Table 41:
Satisfaction rating (Library website) (Q17)13
(100%)
31
3.8**
(3%)
1
(3%)
1
(16%)
5
(61%)
19
(16%)
5
Mount Isa
(100%)
65
4.0**
(0%)
0
(11%)
7
(17%)
11
(35%)
23
(37%)
24
Goondiwindi
(100%)
114
4.5*
(1%)
1
(1%)
1
(11%)
12
(27%)
31
(61%)
69
0-17
(100%)
493
4.1
(1%)
5
(3%)
15
(14%)
70
(45%)
221
(37%)
182
18-34
(100%)
1613
4.3*
(0%)
8
(2%)
30
(11%)
173
(39%)
637
(47%)
765
35-54
Age
(100%)
1652
4.5
(0%)
7
(1%)
13
(7%)
117
(36%)
590
(56%)
925
55+
(100%)
276
4.4*
(1%)
3
(1%)
4
(10%)
28
(35%)
97
(52%)
144
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
Actual
Respondents
Total
Other (please
specify)
You enjoy the
atmosphere
Professional staff
support is available
The library has an
extensive range of
materials
It saves you money
It saves you time
1,338
(264%)
(250%)
4551
3,534
(11%)
(10%)
11,357
144
(49%)
(46%)
441.0
655
(36%)
(36%)
2073
487
(74%)
(75%)
1634
985
(76%)
(68%)
3399
1014
(19%)
(16%)
3097
249
Brisbane
713
Total
2,200
(244%)
5,374
(9%)
202
(44%)
970
(36%)
781
(76%)
1665
(66%)
1441
(14%)
315
Sunshine
Coast
250
(250%)
625
(11%)
28
(48%)
119
(37%)
92
(80%)
201
(61%)
152
(13%)
33
Fraser
Coast
542
(229%)
1,242
(9%)
47
(40%)
218
(31%)
166
(71%)
387
(65%)
351
(13%)
73
Mackay
Library
54
(252%)
136
(0%)
0
(48%)
26
(57%)
31
(65%)
35
(54%)
29
(28%)
15
Paroo
49
(233%)
114
(10%)
5
(49%)
24
(27%)
13
(78%)
38
(63%)
31
(6%)
3
Mount Isa
118
(281%)
332
(13%)
15
(52%)
61
(54%)
64
(75%)
88
(67%)
79
(21%)
25
Goondiwindi
119
(249%)
296
(13%)
16
(53%)
63
(33%)
39
(76%)
91
(48%)
57
(25%)
30
0-17
534
(232%)
1241
(9%)
50
(45%)
241
(23%)
125
(69%)
366
(72%)
387
(13%)
72
18-34
1772
(249%)
4416
(10%)
175
(46%)
813
(32%)
568
(74%)
1315
(72%)
1283
(15%)
262
35-54
Age
1828
(256%)
4680
(10%)
176
(45%)
825
(43%)
787
(77%)
1408
(65%)
1187
(16%)
297
55+
Library User Survey
Table 42:
Reasons for this visit (Q18)
298
(243%)
724
(8%)
24
(44%)
131
(39%)
115
(73%)
219
(61%)
183
(17%)
52
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
128
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
129
(100%)
136
(100%)
177
55.5*
(10%)
18
(1%)
2
(23%)
41
(29%)
52
(36%)
64
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
14
62.1*
(14%)
2
(7%)
1
(7%)
1
(43%)
6
(29%)
4
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
38
48.9*
(5%)
2
(0%)
0
(26%)
10
(32%)
12
(37%)
14
Mackay
Library
(100%)
7
87.9*
(29%)
2
(0%)
0
(29%)
2
(29%)
2
(14%)
1
Paroo
14 *Single and **double asterisks denote significance at the five and one per cent levels to the overall mean
(100%)
386
Total
52.9*
(7%)
(9%)
54.6
10
(0%)
(1%)
35
0
(26%)
(24%)
3
36
(33%)
(32%)
92
45
(33%)
(34%)
124
45
Brisbane
132
Total
Mean score
More than
two hours
One and a half
hours to two hours
One to one
and a half hours
Half an hour
to one hour
Less than
half an hour
Table 43:
Time saved in today’s visit (Q19)14
(100%)
1
15.0*
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(100%)
1
Mount Isa
(100%)
13
53.1*
(8%)
1
(0%)
0
(15%)
2
(54%)
7
(23%)
3
Goondiwindi
2
(100%)
12
63.8*
(8%)
1
(8%)
1
(25%)
3
(42%)
5
(17%)
0-17
(100%)
39
47.3*
(5%)
2
(0%)
0
(26%)
10
(28%)
11
(41%)
16
18-34
(100%)
177
53.8*
(9%)
16
(1%)
2
(21%)
38
(33%)
59
(35%)
62
35-54
Age
(100%)
139
57.2*
(11%)
15
(0%)
0
(25%)
35
(31%)
43
(33%)
46
55+
(100%)
19
52.1*
(5%)
1
(0%)
0
(32%)
6
(32%)
6
(32%)
6
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
(100%)
(100%)
(100%)
1109
48.0
(6%)
72
(2%)
25
(18%)
199
(58%)
645
(15%)
168
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
105
57.0*
(10%)
10
(6%)
6
(20%)
21
(56%)
59
(9%)
9
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
266
52.8*
(8%)
22
(3%)
8
(22%)
58
(54%)
144
(13%)
34
Mackay
Library
(100%)
21
59.6*
(5%)
1
(0%)
0
(48%)
10
(48%)
10
(0%)
0
Paroo
15 *Single and **double asterisks denote significance at the five and one per cent levels to the overall mean
790
2374
Total
57.0**
(11%)
(9%)
52.5
87
(4%)
(3%)
203
28
(22%)
(20%)
72
176
(52%)
(55%)
479
409
(11%)
(13%)
1316
90
Brisbane
304
Total
Mean Score
More than $150
$101-$150
$51-100
$20-$50
Less than $20
(100%)
26
63.0*
(12%)
3
(12%)
3
(15%)
4
(54%)
14
(8%)
2
Mount Isa
(100%)
57
61.7*
(14%)
8
(4%)
2
(19%)
11
(61%)
35
(2%)
1
Goondiwindi
8
(100%)
32
36.6**
(0%)
0
(3%)
1
(13%)
4
(59%)
19
(25%)
0-17
(100%)
317
46.6**
(5%)
17
(1%)
2
(21%)
65
(60%)
190
(14%)
43
18-34
(100%)
1074
53.3*
(9%)
96
(4%)
38
(20%)
211
(55%)
595
(12%)
134
35-54
Age
(100%)
839
54.1*
(9%)
77
(3%)
26
(22%)
183
(54%)
449
(12%)
104
55+
Library User Survey
Table 44:
Money saved in today’s visit (Q20)15
(100%)
112
54.8*
(12%)
13
(4%)
5
(14%)
16
(56%)
63
(13%)
15
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
130
Table 45:
Importance of benefits (Q23)
Major Benefit Minor Benefit
Helped me obtain a new job or promotion
Made me more productive in my job
Helped me improve or start a business
Enabled me to gain or improve my computer skills
Supported my involvement in educational courses
Supported my children’s early (0 to 5 years) development
Supported my children’s education
Facilitated my pursuit of (informal) lifelong learning
Assisted me to develop English language skills
Clarified my understanding of legal or medical information
Helped me accomplish tasks and/or achieve goals
Contributed to enjoyable and meaningful pastimes
Fostered my sense of community or belonging
Helped me obtain information not obtainable elsewhere
Helped me to pursue hobbies and interests
Total
Not a benefit
Total
265
480
3683
4428
(6%)
(11%)
(83%)
(100%)
506
910
3012
4428
(11%)
(21%)
(68%)
(100%)
188
432
3808
4428
(4%)
(10%)
(86%)
(100%)
489
878
3061
4428
(11%)
(20%)
(69%)
(100%)
711
845
2872
4428
(16%)
(19%)
(65%)
(100%)
1229
318
2881
4428
(28%)
(7%)
(65%)
(100%)
1335
570
2523
4428
(30%)
(13%)
(57%)
(100%)
2201
1169
1058
4428
(50%)
(26%)
(24%)
(100%)
216
427
3785
4428
(5%)
(10%)
(85%)
(100%)
441
1004
2983
4428
(10%)
(23%)
(67%)
(100%)
1194
1540
1694
4428
(27%)
(35%)
(38%)
(100%)
3419
689
320
4428
(77%)
(16%)
(7%)
(100%)
1389
1636
1403
4428
(31%)
(37%)
(32%)
(100%)
1742
1407
1279
4428
(39%)
(32%)
(29%)
(100%)
2836
1114
478
4428
(64%)
(25%)
(11%)
(100%)
18161
13419
34840
18161
(27%)
(20%)
(52%)
(100%)
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
131
The Library Dividend
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(83%)
(83%)
4,428
1,087
(11%)
(11%)
3,683
139
(6%)
(6%)
480
77
Brisbane
265
Total
(100%)
2,145
(84%)
1,810
(10%)
218
(5%)
117
Sunshine
Coast
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(69%)
(68%)
4,428
901
(19%)
(21%)
3,012
253
(11%)
(11%)
910
149
Brisbane
506
Total
(100%)
2,145
(69%)
1,488
(20%)
429
(11%)
228
Sunshine
Coast
Table 47:
Importance of benefits (Made me more productive in my job) (Q23)
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
(100%)
240
(72%)
172
(14%)
33
(15%)
35
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
240
(85%)
205
(8%)
20
(6%)
15
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
522
(63%)
330
(26%)
136
(11%)
56
Mackay
Library
(100%)
522
(79%)
412
(13%)
68
(8%)
42
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(63%)
34
(22%)
12
(15%)
8
Paroo
(100%)
54
(81%)
44
(9%)
5
(9%)
5
Paroo
(100%)
48
(63%)
30
(19%)
9
(19%)
9
Mount Isa
(100%)
48
(79%)
38
(10%)
5
(10%)
5
Mount Isa
(100%)
116
(49%)
57
(33%)
38
(18%)
21
Goondiwindi
(100%)
116
(75%)
87
(22%)
25
(3%)
4
Goondiwindi
11
(100%)
119
(77%)
92
(10%)
12
(13%)
15
0-17
(100%)
119
(81%)
96
(10%)
12
(9%)
0-17
(100%)
534
(61%)
326
(24%)
126
(15%)
82
18-34
(100%)
534
(72%)
386
(16%)
84
(12%)
64
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(61%)
1,087
(25%)
435
(14%)
251
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(79%)
1,400
(13%)
238
(8%)
135
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(76%)
1,390
(16%)
299
(8%)
139
55+
(100%)
1,828
(91%)
1,657
(7%)
126
(2%)
45
55+
Library User Survey
Table 46:
Importance of benefits (Helped me obtain a new job or promotion) (Q23)
(100%)
174
(67%)
117
(22%)
38
(11%)
19
Undisclosed
(100%)
174
(83%)
144
(11%)
20
(6%)
10
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
132
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
133
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(88%)
(86%)
4,428
1,146
(8%)
(10%)
3,808
107
(4%)
(4%)
432
50
Brisbane
188
Total
(100%)
2,145
(84%)
1,809
(10%)
219
(5%)
117
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
240
(90%)
217
(7%)
17
(3%)
6
Fraser
Coast
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(70%)
(69%)
4,428
908
(19%)
(20%)
3,061
249
(11%)
(11%)
878
146
Brisbane
489
Total
(100%)
2,145
(69%)
1,488
(20%)
427
(11%)
230
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
240
(61%)
147
(26%)
63
(13%)
30
Fraser
Coast
Table 49:
Importance of benefits (Enabled me to gain or improve my computer skills) (Q23)
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
Table 48:
Importance of benefits (Helped me improve or start a business) (Q23)
(100%)
522
(71%)
371
(18%)
95
(11%)
56
Mackay
Library
(100%)
522
(88%)
457
(11%)
56
(2%)
9
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(67%)
36
(20%)
11
(13%)
7
Paroo
(100%)
54
(85%)
46
(13%)
7
(2%)
1
Paroo
(100%)
48
(67%)
32
(21%)
10
(13%)
6
Mount Isa
(100%)
48
(83%)
40
(13%)
6
(4%)
2
Mount Isa
(100%)
116
(68%)
79
(20%)
23
(12%)
14
Goondiwindi
(100%)
116
(80%)
93
(17%)
20
(3%)
3
Goondiwindi
9
(100%)
119
(50%)
59
(26%)
31
(24%)
29
0-17
(100%)
119
(85%)
101
(8%)
9
(8%)
0-17
(100%)
534
(75%)
401
(16%)
87
(9%)
46
18-34
(100%)
534
(83%)
445
(11%)
61
(5%)
28
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(72%)
1,285
(18%)
326
(9%)
162
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(82%)
1,455
(12%)
217
(6%)
101
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(66%)
1,206
(22%)
405
(12%)
217
55+
(100%)
1,828
(91%)
1,661
(7%)
127
(2%)
40
55+
(100%)
174
(63%)
110
(17%)
29
(20%)
35
Undisclosed
(100%)
174
(84%)
146
(10%)
18
(6%)
10
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(69%)
(65%)
4,428
899
(18%)
(19%)
2,872
234
(13%)
(16%)
845
170
Brisbane
711
Total
(100%)
2,145
(64%)
1,376
(19%)
417
(16%)
352
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
240
(66%)
158
(12%)
28
(23%)
54
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
522
(60%)
315
(20%)
105
(20%)
102
Mackay
Library
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(68%)
(65%)
4,428
892
(7%)
(7%)
2,881
87
(25%)
(28%)
318
324
Brisbane
1,229
Total
(100%)
2,145
(66%)
1,410
(7%)
157
(27%)
578
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
240
(71%)
171
(4%)
10
(25%)
59
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
522
(54%)
282
(8%)
43
(38%)
197
Mackay
Library
Table 51:
Importance of benefits (Supported my children’s early (0 to 5 years) development) (Q23)
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
(100%)
54
(72%)
39
(9%)
5
(19%)
10
Paroo
(100%)
54
(70%)
38
(20%)
11
(9%)
5
Paroo
(100%)
48
(63%)
30
(17%)
8
(21%)
10
Mount Isa
(100%)
48
(50%)
24
(27%)
13
(23%)
11
Mount Isa
(100%)
116
(49%)
57
(7%)
8
(44%)
51
Goondiwindi
(100%)
116
(53%)
62
(32%)
37
(15%)
17
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(78%)
93
(8%)
10
(13%)
16
0-17
(100%)
119
(45%)
54
(24%)
28
(31%)
37
0-17
(100%)
534
(62%)
331
(5%)
27
(33%)
176
18-34
(100%)
534
(51%)
274
(22%)
120
(26%)
140
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(48%)
851
(10%)
169
(42%)
753
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(62%)
1,097
(22%)
385
(16%)
291
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(82%)
1,498
(5%)
95
(13%)
235
55+
(100%)
1,828
(73%)
1,337
(15%)
283
(11%)
208
55+
Library User Survey
Table 50:
Importance of benefits (Supported my involvement in educational courses) (Q23)
(100%)
174
(62%)
108
(10%)
17
(28%)
49
Undisclosed
(100%)
174
(63%)
110
(17%)
29
(20%)
35
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
134
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
135
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(61%)
(57%)
4,428
791
(12%)
(13%)
2,523
158
(27%)
(30%)
570
354
Brisbane
1,335
Total
(100%)
2,145
(58%)
1,235
(13%)
274
(30%)
636
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
240
(64%)
154
(8%)
20
(28%)
66
Fraser
Coast
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(22%)
(24%)
4,428
291
(24%)
(26%)
1,058
313
(54%)
(50%)
1,169
699
Brisbane
2,201
Total
(100%)
2,145
(23%)
497
(27%)
575
(50%)
1,073
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
240
(24%)
57
(26%)
63
(50%)
120
Fraser
Coast
Table 53:
Importance of benefits (Facilitated my pursuit of (informal) lifelong learning) (Q23)
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
Table 52:
Importance of benefits (Supported my children’s education) (Q23)
(100%)
522
(30%)
154
(30%)
158
(40%)
210
Mackay
Library
(100%)
522
(44%)
231
(16%)
85
(39%)
206
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(35%)
19
(26%)
14
(39%)
21
Paroo
(100%)
54
(72%)
39
(11%)
6
(17%)
9
Paroo
(100%)
48
(29%)
14
(27%)
13
(44%)
21
Mount Isa
(100%)
48
(54%)
26
(17%)
8
(29%)
14
Mount Isa
(100%)
116
(22%)
26
(28%)
33
(49%)
57
Goondiwindi
(100%)
116
(41%)
47
(16%)
19
(43%)
50
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(49%)
58
(24%)
28
(28%)
33
0-17
(100%)
119
(66%)
79
(14%)
17
(19%)
23
0-17
(100%)
534
(26%)
140
(28%)
149
(46%)
245
18-34
(100%)
534
(65%)
349
(7%)
39
(27%)
146
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(23%)
408
(26%)
464
(51%)
901
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(35%)
622
(18%)
316
(47%)
835
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(22%)
405
(26%)
482
(51%)
941
55+
(100%)
1,828
(75%)
1,375
(10%)
176
(15%)
277
55+
(100%)
174
(27%)
47
(26%)
46
(47%)
81
Undisclosed
(100%)
174
(56%)
98
(13%)
22
(31%)
54
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(86%)
(85%)
4,428
1,117
(10%)
(10%)
3,785
125
(5%)
(5%)
427
61
Brisbane
216
Total
(100%)
2,145
(86%)
1,848
(9%)
198
(5%)
99
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
240
(82%)
196
(12%)
28
(7%)
16
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
522
(83%)
435
(10%)
53
(7%)
34
Mackay
Library
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(69%)
(67%)
4,428
896
(22%)
(23%)
2,983
291
(9%)
(10%)
1,004
116
Brisbane
441
Total
(100%)
2,145
(67%)
1,436
(23%)
489
(10%)
220
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
240
(61%)
147
(22%)
53
(17%)
40
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
522
(70%)
368
(20%)
106
(9%)
48
Mackay
Library
Table 55:
Importance of benefits (Clarified my understanding of legal or medical information) (Q23)
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
-
(100%)
54
(63%)
34
(26%)
14
(11%)
6
Paroo
(100%)
54
(91%)
49
(9%)
5
(0%)
Paroo
(100%)
48
(60%)
29
(29%)
14
(10%)
5
Mount Isa
(100%)
48
(83%)
40
(13%)
6
(4%)
2
Mount Isa
(100%)
116
(63%)
73
(32%)
37
(5%)
6
Goondiwindi
(100%)
116
(86%)
100
(10%)
12
(3%)
4
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(71%)
85
(18%)
21
(11%)
13
0-17
(100%)
119
(58%)
69
(17%)
20
(25%)
30
0-17
(100%)
534
(72%)
386
(19%)
101
(9%)
47
18-34
(100%)
534
(81%)
432
(13%)
70
(6%)
32
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(70%)
1,233
(22%)
390
(8%)
150
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(88%)
1,556
(9%)
151
(4%)
66
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(64%)
1,162
(25%)
453
(12%)
213
55+
(100%)
1,828
(87%)
1,582
(9%)
170
(4%)
76
55+
Library User Survey
Table 54:
Importance of benefits (Assisted me to develop English language skills) (Q23)
(100%)
174
(67%)
117
(22%)
39
(10%)
18
Undisclosed
(100%)
174
(84%)
146
(9%)
16
(7%)
12
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
136
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
137
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(40%)
(38%)
4,428
517
(31%)
(35%)
1,694
410
(29%)
(27%)
1,540
376
Brisbane
1,194
Total
(100%)
2,145
(36%)
781
(37%)
796
(26%)
568
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
240
(42%)
101
(28%)
66
(30%)
73
Fraser
Coast
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(6%)
(7%)
4,428
74
(12%)
(16%)
320
156
(82%)
(77%)
689
1,073
Brisbane
3,419
Total
(100%)
2,145
(7%)
156
(17%)
357
(76%)
1,632
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
240
(7%)
17
(15%)
36
(78%)
187
Fraser
Coast
522
(39%)
202
(36%)
186
(26%)
134
Mackay
Library
(100%)
522
(10%)
54
(21%)
110
(69%)
358
Mackay
Library
(100%)
Table 57:
Importance of benefits (Contributed to enjoyable and meaningful pastimes) (Q23)
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
Table 56:
Importance of benefits (Helped me accomplish tasks and/or achieve goals) (Q23)
(100%)
54
(11%)
6
(13%)
7
(76%)
41
Paroo
(100%)
54
(54%)
29
(30%)
16
(17%)
9
Paroo
(100%)
48
(6%)
3
(19%)
9
(75%)
36
Mount Isa
(100%)
48
(38%)
18
(33%)
16
(29%)
14
Mount Isa
(100%)
116
(9%)
10
(12%)
14
(79%)
92
Goondiwindi
(100%)
116
(40%)
46
(43%)
50
(17%)
20
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(15%)
18
(18%)
22
(66%)
79
0-17
(100%)
119
(24%)
29
(34%)
40
(42%)
50
0-17
(100%)
534
(11%)
58
(19%)
101
(70%)
375
18-34
(100%)
534
(34%)
183
(33%)
177
(33%)
174
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(7%)
117
(16%)
287
(77%)
1,369
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(33%)
593
(38%)
679
(28%)
501
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(6%)
114
(13%)
243
(80%)
1,471
55+
(100%)
1,828
(45%)
815
(32%)
583
(24%)
430
55+
(100%)
174
(7%)
13
(21%)
36
(72%)
125
Undisclosed
(100%)
174
(43%)
74
(35%)
61
(22%)
39
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(32%)
(32%)
4,428
421
(35%)
(37%)
1,403
455
(33%)
(31%)
1,636
427
Brisbane
1,389
Total
(100%)
2,145
(30%)
642
(38%)
825
(32%)
678
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
240
(35%)
83
(34%)
81
(32%)
76
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
522
(37%)
194
(36%)
189
(27%)
139
Mackay
Library
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(30%)
(29%)
4,428
395
(32%)
(32%)
1,279
417
(38%)
(39%)
1,407
491
Brisbane
1,742
Total
(100%)
2,145
(28%)
591
(32%)
684
(41%)
870
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
240
(25%)
61
(28%)
68
(46%)
111
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
522
(32%)
165
(32%)
168
(36%)
189
Mackay
Library
Table 59:
Importance of benefits (Helped me obtain information not obtainable elsewhere) (Q23)
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
(100%)
54
(35%)
19
(35%)
19
(30%)
16
Paroo
(100%)
54
(35%)
19
(43%)
23
(22%)
12
Paroo
(100%)
48
(29%)
14
(33%)
16
(38%)
18
Mount Isa
(100%)
48
(29%)
14
(31%)
15
(40%)
19
Mount Isa
(100%)
116
(29%)
34
(30%)
35
(41%)
47
Goondiwindi
(100%)
116
(26%)
30
(41%)
48
(33%)
38
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(29%)
35
(23%)
27
(48%)
57
0-17
(100%)
119
(45%)
54
(26%)
31
(29%)
34
0-17
(100%)
534
(37%)
196
(34%)
179
(30%)
159
18-34
(100%)
534
(37%)
198
(32%)
170
(31%)
166
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(30%)
530
(33%)
579
(37%)
664
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(31%)
551
(38%)
669
(31%)
553
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(25%)
463
(31%)
570
(43%)
795
55+
(100%)
1,828
(29%)
535
(39%)
714
(32%)
579
55+
Library User Survey
Table 58:
Importance of benefits (Fostered my sense of community or belonging) (Q23)
(100%)
174
(32%)
55
(30%)
52
(39%)
67
Undisclosed
(100%)
174
(37%)
65
(30%)
52
(33%)
57
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
138
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
139
Total
No Benefit
Minor Benefit
Major Benefit
1,303
(100%)
(100%)
(10%)
(11%)
4,428
126
(23%)
(25%)
478
302
(67%)
(64%)
1,114
875
Brisbane
2,836
Total
(100%)
2,145
(10%)
208
(25%)
539
(65%)
1,398
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
240
(12%)
28
(27%)
65
(61%)
147
Fraser
Coast
Table 60:
Importance of benefits (Helped me to pursue hobbies and interests) (Q23)
(100%)
522
(16%)
83
(27%)
141
(57%)
298
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(20%)
11
(35%)
19
(44%)
24
Paroo
(100%)
48
(15%)
7
(33%)
16
(52%)
25
Mount Isa
(100%)
116
(13%)
15
(28%)
32
(59%)
69
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(10%)
12
(24%)
29
(66%)
78
0-17
(100%)
534
(12%)
64
(27%)
146
(61%)
324
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(10%)
177
(25%)
447
(65%)
1,149
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(11%)
205
(24%)
439
(65%)
1,184
55+
(100%)
174
(11%)
20
(30%)
53
(58%)
101
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
Building awareness and sharing knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island heritage and culture
Providing opportunities for multicultural activities
Providing opportunities for performances by local musicians, dancers and actors
Arranging talks by visiting authors
Providing opportunities for exhibiting local artworks
Maintaining local history collections
Maintaining relevant collections
1,911
44%
29%
47%
29%
1,275
2,033
40%
23%
1,278
1,736
46%
39%
984
2,004
46%
35%
1,701
2,013
32%
61%
1,529
1,382
23%
71%
2,661
1,003
Important
3,074
Very Important
17%
758
17%
729
29%
1,277
10%
432
14%
614
4%
167
2%
92
Not Important
9%
408
7%
312
8%
355
5%
215
5%
196
3%
142
4%
183
Don’t Know
Library User Survey
Table 61:
Importance of Cultural Contribution (Q24)
100%
4,352
100%
4,352
100%
4,352
100%
4,352
100%
4,352
100%
4,352
100%
4,352
Total
Appendix 1
140
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
141
1,276
953
3,074
(4%)
(4%)
4,352
49
(2%)
(2%)
183
25
(20%)
(23%)
92
249
(75%)
(71%)
1,003
953
Brisbane
3,074
Total
1,475
2,115
(4%)
90
(2%)
51
(24%)
499
(70%)
1,475
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(4%)
(3%)
4,352
46
(5%)
(4%)
142
69
(33%)
(32%)
167
425
(58%)
(61%)
1,382
736
Brisbane
2,661
Total
(100%)
2,115
(3%)
62
(3%)
73
(32%)
677
(62%)
1,303
(100%)
236
(4%)
9
(3%)
7
(29%)
68
(64%)
152
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
171
236
(5%)
11
(3%)
6
(20%)
48
(72%)
171
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
Table 63:
Cultural contributions (Maintaining local history collections) (Q24)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
Table 62:
Cultural contributions (Maintaining relevant collections) (Q24)
(100%)
510
(3%)
17
(3%)
14
(29%)
150
(65%)
329
Mackay
Library
334
510
(4%)
20
(1%)
7
(29%)
149
(65%)
334
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(4%)
2
(0%)
-
(33%)
18
(63%)
34
Paroo
31
54
(11%)
6
(0%)
-
(31%)
17
(57%)
31
Paroo
82
114
(3%)
3
(1%)
1
(25%)
28
(72%)
82
(100%)
47
(6%)
3
(4%)
2
(26%)
12
(64%)
30
(100%)
114
(3%)
3
(2%)
2
(28%)
32
(68%)
77
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
28
47
(9%)
4
(4%)
2
(28%)
13
(60%)
28
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(8%)
9
(9%)
11
(38%)
45
(45%)
54
0-17
65
119
(13%)
15
(3%)
3
(30%)
36
(55%)
65
0-17
(100%)
534
(4%)
24
(6%)
30
(35%)
188
(55%)
292
18-34
373
534
(4%)
24
(2%)
10
(24%)
127
(70%)
373
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(3%)
53
(3%)
61
(32%)
559
(62%)
1,100
35-54
Age
1,263
1,773
(4%)
68
(2%)
31
(23%)
411
(71%)
1,263
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(3%)
51
(3%)
60
(30%)
557
(63%)
1,160
55+
1,307
1,828
(4%)
70
(3%)
46
(22%)
405
(71%)
1,307
55+
(100%)
98
(5%)
5
(5%)
5
(34%)
33
(56%)
55
Undisclosed
66
98
(6%)
6
(2%)
2
(24%)
24
(67%)
66
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(5%)
(5%)
4,352
67
(17%)
(14%)
196
223
(45%)
(46%)
614
577
(32%)
(35%)
2,013
409
1,529
Brisbane
(100%)
2,115
(3%)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(6%)
(5%)
4,352
74
(11%)
(10%)
215
144
(47%)
(46%)
432
598
(36%)
(39%)
2,004
460
Brisbane
1,701
Total
71
(13%)
272
(48%)
1,014
(36%)
758
(100%)
2,115
(3%)
71
(8%)
178
(46%)
963
(43%)
903
(100%)
236
(6%)
14
(17%)
40
(42%)
99
(35%)
83
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
(100%)
236
(6%)
14
(17%)
41
(42%)
98
(35%)
83
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
Table 65:
Cultural contributions (Arranging talks by visiting authors) (Q24)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
Total
(100%)
510
(7%)
35
(10%)
49
(45%)
232
(38%)
194
Mackay
Library
(100%)
510
(5%)
28
(10%)
49
(44%)
225
(41%)
208
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(13%)
7
(11%)
6
(56%)
30
(20%)
11
Paroo
(100%)
54
(6%)
3
(24%)
13
(44%)
24
(26%)
14
Paroo
(100%)
114
(5%)
6
(9%)
10
(46%)
53
(39%)
45
(100%)
47
(17%)
8
(15%)
7
(47%)
22
(21%)
10
(100%)
114
(5%)
6
(7%)
8
(53%)
60
(35%)
40
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
47
(15%)
7
(13%)
6
(47%)
22
(26%)
12
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(10%)
12
(9%)
11
(39%)
46
(42%)
50
0-17
(100%)
119
(10%)
12
(12%)
14
(41%)
49
(37%)
44
0-17
(100%)
534
(4%)
20
(10%)
52
(50%)
267
(37%)
195
18-34
(100%)
534
(4%)
21
(15%)
81
(45%)
242
(36%)
190
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(4%)
79
(9%)
161
(46%)
808
(41%)
725
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(4%)
71
(13%)
230
(46%)
807
(38%)
665
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(5%)
98
(11%)
200
(46%)
838
(38%)
692
55+
(100%)
1,828
(5%)
86
(15%)
274
(47%)
866
(33%)
602
55+
Library User Survey
Table 64:
Cultural contributions (Providing opportunities for exhibiting local artworks) (Q24)
(100%)
98
(6%)
6
(8%)
8
(46%)
45
(40%)
39
Undisclosed
(100%)
98
(6%)
6
(15%)
15
(50%)
49
(29%)
28
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
142
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
143
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(8%)
(8%)
4,352
108
(31%)
(29%)
355
393
(39%)
(40%)
1,277
502
(21%)
(23%)
1,736
273
Brisbane
984
Total
(100%)
2,115
(7%)
147
(29%)
608
(41%)
864
(23%)
496
(100%)
236
(8%)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(8%)
(7%)
4,352
97
(20%)
(17%)
312
259
(45%)
(47%)
729
580
(27%)
(29%)
2,033
340
Brisbane
1,278
Total
18
(34%)
81
(35%)
83
(23%)
54
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
(100%)
2,115
(6%)
129
(16%)
329
(47%)
1,000
(31%)
657
(100%)
236
(8%)
19
(19%)
44
(47%)
112
(26%)
61
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
Table 67:
Cultural contributions (Providing opportunities for multicultural activities) (Q24)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
(100%)
510
(8%)
40
(12%)
63
(46%)
236
(34%)
171
Mackay
Library
(100%)
510
(9%)
48
(26%)
133
(40%)
204
(25%)
125
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(15%)
8
(13%)
7
(50%)
27
(22%)
12
Paroo
(100%)
54
(24%)
13
(33%)
18
(28%)
15
(15%)
8
Paroo
Table 66:
Cultural contributions (Providing opportunities for performances by local musicians, dancers and actors) (Q24)
(100%)
114
(10%)
11
(21%)
24
(49%)
56
(20%)
23
(100%)
47
(17%)
8
(26%)
12
(43%)
20
(15%)
7
(100%)
114
(10%)
11
(13%)
15
(51%)
58
(26%)
30
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
47
(21%)
10
(43%)
20
(26%)
12
(11%)
5
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(5%)
6
(11%)
13
(45%)
53
(39%)
47
0-17
(100%)
119
(8%)
9
(13%)
15
(45%)
54
(34%)
41
0-17
(100%)
534
(6%)
34
(10%)
53
(50%)
265
(34%)
182
18-34
(100%)
534
(7%)
35
(25%)
136
(42%)
223
(26%)
140
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(6%)
112
(15%)
268
(47%)
833
(32%)
560
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(7%)
130
(28%)
489
(41%)
724
(24%)
430
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(8%)
153
(21%)
375
(46%)
840
(25%)
460
55+
(100%)
1,828
(10%)
174
(33%)
608
(38%)
696
(19%)
350
55+
(100%)
98
(7%)
7
(20%)
20
(43%)
42
(30%)
29
Undisclosed
(100%)
98
(7%)
7
(30%)
29
(40%)
39
(23%)
23
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(10%)
(9%)
4,352
126
(22%)
(17%)
408
276
(42%)
(44%)
758
540
(26%)
(29%)
1,911
334
Brisbane
1,275
Total
(100%)
2,115
(9%)
183
(16%)
335
(45%)
954
(30%)
643
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
236
(8%)
19
(22%)
53
(42%)
98
(28%)
66
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
510
(10%)
51
(12%)
63
(41%)
211
(36%)
185
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(13%)
7
(7%)
4
(54%)
29
(26%)
14
Paroo
(100%)
47
(23%)
11
(21%)
10
(45%)
21
(11%)
5
Mount Isa
(100%)
114
(10%)
11
(15%)
17
(51%)
58
(25%)
28
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(13%)
15
(12%)
14
(34%)
40
(42%)
50
0-17
(100%)
534
(7%)
37
(12%)
64
(47%)
250
(34%)
183
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(8%)
144
(16%)
284
(44%)
774
(32%)
571
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(11%)
203
(21%)
379
(44%)
804
(24%)
442
55+
Library User Survey
Table 68:
Cultural contributions (Building awareness and sharing knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island heritage and culture) (Q24)
(100%)
98
(9%)
9
(17%)
17
(44%)
43
(30%)
29
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
144
Table 69:
Community contributions (Q25)
Very Important
Important
Not Important
Don’t Know
Total
3,821
500
13
18
4,352
88%
11%
0%
0%
100%
3,187
1,002
105
58
4,352
73%
23%
2%
1%
100%
3,597
680
42
33
4,352
83%
16%
1%
1%
100%
3,370
864
64
54
4,352
77%
20%
1%
1%
100%
2,410
1,708
173
61
4,352
55%
39%
4%
1%
100%
1,791
1,999
464
98
4,352
41%
46%
11%
2%
100%
1,983
1,877
374
118
4,352
46%
43%
9%
3%
100%
1,945
1,863
433
111
4,352
45%
43%
10%
3%
100%
1,381
2,069
623
279
4,352
32%
48%
14%
6%
100%
Promoting and encouraging literacy (including
digital literacy)
2,532
1,607
123
90
4,352
58%
37%
3%
2%
100%
Recognising the demand for non-English
language materials
1,739
1,845
503
265
4,352
40%
42%
12%
6%
100%
Supporting the development of English as a
second language
1,983
1,800
341
228
4,352
46%
41%
8%
5%
100%
Ensuring access to the Internet for all
2,940
1,225
126
61
4,352
68%
28%
3%
1%
100%
1,190
1,786
948
428
4,352
27%
41%
22%
10%
100%
1,520
1,765
721
346
4,352
35%
41%
17%
8%
100%
Being a safe and pleasant place to visit
Encouraging responsible social behaviour
Facilitating lifelong learning
Improving literacy (including digital literacy)
Providing information about community events
Acting as a source of government information
Supporting local culture and the arts
Providing public meeting spaces
Facilitating job or career planning
Attracting new businesses to the community
Supporting existing local businesses
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
145
The Library Dividend
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(1%)
(0%)
4,352
7
(0%)
(0%)
18
5
(12%)
(11%)
13
151
(87%)
(88%)
500
1,113
3,821
Brisbane
(100%)
2,115
(0%)
6
(0%)
4
(11%)
228
(89%)
1,877
(100%)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(2%)
(1%)
4,352
20
(4%)
(2%)
58
49
(25%)
(23%)
105
322
(69%)
(73%)
1,002
885
Brisbane
3,187
Total
236
(1%)
2
(1%)
2
(14%)
34
(84%)
198
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
(100%)
2,115
(1%)
22
(2%)
39
(22%)
473
(75%)
1,581
(100%)
236
(3%)
7
(2%)
5
(22%)
53
(72%)
171
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
Table 71:
Community contributions (Encouraging responsible social behaviour) (Q25)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
Total
(100%)
510
(1%)
6
(2%)
9
(20%)
102
(77%)
393
Mackay
Library
(100%)
510
(1%)
3
(0%)
2
(12%)
61
(87%)
444
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(2%)
1
(0%)
-
(13%)
7
(85%)
46
Paroo
(100%)
54
(0%)
-
(0%)
-
(11%)
6
(89%)
48
Paroo
(100%)
114
(0%)
-
(0%)
-
(11%)
13
(89%)
101
(100%)
47
(0%)
-
(0%)
-
(34%)
16
(66%)
31
(100%)
114
(2%)
2
(3%)
3
(25%)
29
(70%)
80
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
47
(0%)
-
(0%)
-
(15%)
7
(85%)
40
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(3%)
4
(4%)
5
(25%)
30
(67%)
80
0-17
(100%)
119
(3%)
4
(0%)
-
(16%)
19
(81%)
96
0-17
(100%)
534
(1%)
8
(2%)
13
(23%)
125
(73%)
388
18-34
(100%)
534
(1%)
3
(0%)
-
(10%)
55
(89%)
476
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(1%)
13
(2%)
33
(22%)
384
(76%)
1,343
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(0%)
3
(0%)
2
(10%)
178
(90%)
1,590
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(2%)
31
(3%)
52
(24%)
434
(72%)
1,311
55+
(100%)
1,828
(0%)
6
(1%)
11
(12%)
228
(87%)
1,583
55+
Library User Survey
Table 70:
Community contributions (Being a safe and pleasant place to visit) (Q25)
(100%)
98
(2%)
2
(2%)
2
(30%)
29
(66%)
65
Undisclosed
(100%)
98
(2%)
2
(0%)
-
(20%)
20
(78%)
76
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
146
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
147
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(1%)
(1%)
4,352
11
(1%)
(1%)
33
17
(15%)
(16%)
42
196
(82%)
(83%)
680
1,052
Brisbane
3,597
Total
(100%)
2,115
(0%)
10
(1%)
17
(15%)
317
(84%)
1,771
(100%)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(1%)
(1%)
4,352
19
(2%)
(1%)
54
20
(20%)
(20%)
64
256
(77%)
(77%)
864
981
Brisbane
3,370
Total
236
(3%)
6
(1%)
2
(16%)
37
(81%)
191
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
(100%)
2,115
(1%)
16
(1%)
31
(20%)
417
(78%)
1,651
(100%)
236
(3%)
8
(2%)
5
(16%)
38
(78%)
185
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
Table 73:
Community contributions (Improving literacy (including digital literacy)) (Q25)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
Table 72:
Community contributions (Facilitating lifelong learning) (Q25)
(100%)
510
(1%)
6
(1%)
5
(20%)
100
(78%)
399
Mackay
Library
(100%)
510
(1%)
5
(1%)
4
(18%)
92
(80%)
409
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(2%)
1
(0%)
-
(24%)
13
(74%)
40
Paroo
(100%)
54
(0%)
-
(0%)
-
(20%)
11
(80%)
43
Paroo
(100%)
114
(1%)
1
(1%)
1
(15%)
17
(83%)
95
(100%)
47
(2%)
1
(2%)
1
(30%)
14
(66%)
31
(100%)
114
(3%)
3
(2%)
2
(23%)
26
(73%)
83
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
47
(0%)
-
(2%)
1
(21%)
10
(77%)
36
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(4%)
5
(2%)
2
(28%)
33
(66%)
79
0-17
(100%)
119
(3%)
4
(3%)
4
(31%)
37
(62%)
74
0-17
(100%)
534
(1%)
6
(1%)
4
(19%)
103
(79%)
421
18-34
(100%)
534
(1%)
5
(0%)
2
(15%)
82
(83%)
445
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(1%)
15
(1%)
18
(17%)
309
(81%)
1,431
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(0%)
6
(1%)
14
(14%)
251
(85%)
1,502
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(1%)
26
(2%)
39
(22%)
394
(75%)
1,369
55+
(100%)
1,828
(1%)
17
(1%)
21
(16%)
287
(82%)
1,503
55+
(100%)
98
(2%)
2
(1%)
1
(26%)
25
(71%)
70
Undisclosed
(100%)
98
(1%)
1
(1%)
1
(23%)
23
(74%)
73
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(2%)
(1%)
4,352
22
(5%)
(4%)
61
60
(40%)
(39%)
173
516
(53%)
(55%)
1,708
678
Brisbane
2,410
Total
(100%)
2,115
(1%)
21
(3%)
60
(38%)
794
(59%)
1,240
(100%)
236
(3%)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(3%)
(2%)
4,352
35
(13%)
(11%)
98
172
(46%)
(46%)
464
585
(38%)
(41%)
1,999
484
Brisbane
1,791
Total
7
(6%)
14
(44%)
104
(47%)
111
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
(100%)
2,115
(2%)
41
(9%)
195
(46%)
974
(43%)
905
(100%)
236
(3%)
7
(11%)
26
(43%)
102
(43%)
101
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
Table 75:
Community contributions (Acting as a source of government information) (Q25)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
(100%)
510
(1%)
7
(9%)
45
(46%)
237
(43%)
221
Mackay
Library
(100%)
510
(1%)
6
(5%)
24
(38%)
194
(56%)
286
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(4%)
2
(7%)
4
(44%)
24
(44%)
24
Paroo
(100%)
54
(2%)
1
(2%)
1
(41%)
22
(56%)
30
Paroo
(100%)
114
(4%)
4
(7%)
8
(49%)
56
(40%)
46
(100%)
47
(2%)
1
(13%)
6
(51%)
24
(34%)
16
(100%)
114
(4%)
5
(14%)
16
(46%)
53
(35%)
40
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
47
(0%)
-
(13%)
6
(47%)
22
(40%)
19
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(7%)
8
(17%)
20
(37%)
44
(39%)
47
0-17
(100%)
119
(6%)
7
(8%)
9
(41%)
49
(45%)
54
0-17
(100%)
534
(2%)
10
(12%)
62
(47%)
249
(40%)
213
18-34
(100%)
534
(1%)
6
(4%)
19
(40%)
215
(55%)
294
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(2%)
31
(10%)
180
(47%)
838
(41%)
724
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(1%)
21
(3%)
47
(39%)
700
(57%)
1,005
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(2%)
42
(11%)
193
(45%)
827
(42%)
766
55+
(100%)
1,828
(1%)
25
(5%)
94
(38%)
703
(55%)
1,006
55+
Library User Survey
Table 74:
Community contributions (Providing information about community events) (Q25)
(100%)
98
(7%)
7
(9%)
9
(42%)
41
(42%)
41
Undisclosed
(100%)
98
(2%)
2
(4%)
4
(42%)
41
(52%)
51
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
148
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
149
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(4%)
(3%)
4,352
49
(11%)
(9%)
118
144
(44%)
(43%)
374
557
(41%)
(46%)
1,877
526
1,983
Brisbane
(100%)
2,115
(2%)
43
(7%)
138
(44%)
922
(48%)
1,012
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(2%)
(3%)
4,352
31
(9%)
(10%)
111
111
(41%)
(43%)
433
525
(48%)
(45%)
1,863
609
Brisbane
1,945
Total
(100%)
2,115
(2%)
48
(10%)
209
(45%)
945
(43%)
913
(100%)
236
(4%)
10
(14%)
33
(44%)
105
(37%)
88
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
(100%)
236
(4%)
9
(12%)
28
(40%)
95
(44%)
104
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
Table 77:
Community contributions (Providing public meeting spaces) (Q25)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
Total
Table 76:
Community contributions (Supporting local culture and the arts) (Q25)
(100%)
510
(2%)
10
(8%)
43
(38%)
193
(52%)
264
Mackay
Library
(100%)
510
(2%)
10
(8%)
39
(40%)
202
(51%)
259
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(7%)
4
(15%)
8
(43%)
23
(35%)
19
Paroo
(100%)
54
(4%)
2
(7%)
4
(46%)
25
(43%)
23
Paroo
(100%)
114
(3%)
3
(10%)
11
(47%)
54
(40%)
46
(100%)
47
(2%)
1
(21%)
10
(45%)
21
(32%)
15
(100%)
114
(6%)
7
(17%)
19
(45%)
51
(32%)
37
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
47
(4%)
2
(21%)
10
(47%)
22
(28%)
13
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(8%)
9
(13%)
15
(34%)
41
(45%)
54
0-17
(100%)
119
(6%)
7
(9%)
11
(30%)
36
(55%)
65
0-17
(100%)
534
(2%)
11
(8%)
41
(43%)
228
(48%)
254
18-34
(100%)
534
(2%)
13
(9%)
47
(40%)
215
(49%)
259
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(2%)
36
(8%)
148
(44%)
788
(45%)
801
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(2%)
37
(8%)
138
(44%)
785
(46%)
813
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(3%)
51
(12%)
218
(42%)
763
(44%)
796
55+
(100%)
1,828
(3%)
57
(9%)
173
(43%)
794
(44%)
804
55+
(100%)
98
(4%)
4
(11%)
11
(44%)
43
(41%)
40
Undisclosed
(100%)
98
(4%)
4
(5%)
5
(48%)
47
(43%)
42
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(8%)
(6%)
4,352
97
(19%)
(14%)
279
238
(47%)
(48%)
623
604
(26%)
(32%)
2,069
337
1,381
Brisbane
(100%)
2,115
(6%)
120
(12%)
263
(49%)
1,029
(33%)
703
(100%)
236
(8%)
18
(14%)
34
(45%)
106
(33%)
78
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
(100%)
510
(5%)
23
(12%)
60
(44%)
225
(40%)
202
Mackay
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(3%)
(2%)
4,352
33
(4%)
(3%)
90
49
(36%)
(37%)
123
459
(58%)
(58%)
1,607
735
Brisbane
2,532
Total
(100%)
2,115
(1%)
31
(2%)
48
(37%)
781
(59%)
1,255
(100%)
236
(3%)
8
(3%)
6
(36%)
86
(58%)
136
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
(100%)
510
(1%)
7
(3%)
13
(36%)
182
(60%)
308
Mackay
Library
Table 79:
Community contributions (Promoting and encouraging literacy (including digital literacy) (Q25)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
Total
Library
(100%)
54
(6%)
3
(2%)
1
(44%)
24
(48%)
26
Paroo
(100%)
54
(11%)
6
(7%)
4
(43%)
23
(39%)
21
Paroo
(100%)
114
(11%)
13
(12%)
14
(55%)
63
(21%)
24
(100%)
47
(4%)
2
(2%)
1
(45%)
21
(49%)
23
(100%)
114
(5%)
6
(4%)
5
(47%)
54
(43%)
49
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
47
(4%)
2
(21%)
10
(40%)
19
(34%)
16
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(5%)
6
(7%)
8
(38%)
45
(50%)
60
0-17
(100%)
119
(14%)
17
(8%)
9
(44%)
52
(34%)
41
0-17
(100%)
534
(2%)
9
(2%)
10
(33%)
176
(63%)
339
18-34
(100%)
534
(4%)
21
(11%)
60
(48%)
258
(37%)
195
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(1%)
23
(2%)
33
(38%)
675
(59%)
1,042
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(5%)
83
(14%)
244
(48%)
852
(34%)
594
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(3%)
47
(4%)
69
(37%)
669
(57%)
1,043
55+
(100%)
1,828
(8%)
147
(16%)
296
(47%)
864
(29%)
521
55+
Library User Survey
Table 78:
Community contributions (Facilitating job or career planning) (Q25)
(100%)
98
(5%)
5
(3%)
3
(43%)
42
(49%)
48
Undisclosed
(100%)
98
(11%)
11
(14%)
14
(44%)
43
(31%)
30
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
150
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
151
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(5%)
(6%)
4,352
68
(11%)
(12%)
265
135
(41%)
(42%)
503
523
(43%)
(40%)
1,845
550
1,739
Brisbane
(100%)
2,115
(6%)
137
(11%)
238
(44%)
938
(38%)
802
(100%)
236
(7%)
17
(14%)
33
(38%)
90
(41%)
96
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
(100%)
510
(5%)
25
(11%)
54
(39%)
199
(45%)
232
Mackay
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(4%)
(5%)
4,352
56
(7%)
(8%)
228
87
(41%)
(41%)
341
521
(48%)
(46%)
1,800
612
Brisbane
1,983
Total
(100%)
2,115
(6%)
125
(8%)
164
(42%)
889
(44%)
937
(100%)
236
(5%)
12
(8%)
20
(39%)
91
(48%)
113
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
(100%)
510
(4%)
22
(8%)
41
(38%)
193
(50%)
254
Mackay
Library
Table 81:
Community contributions (Supporting the development of English as a second language) (Q25)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
Total
Library
Table 80:
Community contributions (Recognising the demand for non-English language materials) (Q25)
(100%)
54
(4%)
2
(7%)
4
(56%)
30
(33%)
18
Paroo
(100%)
54
(9%)
5
(13%)
7
(44%)
24
(33%)
18
Paroo
(100%)
114
(7%)
8
(24%)
27
(46%)
53
(23%)
26
(100%)
47
(6%)
3
(9%)
4
(45%)
21
(40%)
19
(100%)
114
(7%)
8
(18%)
21
(48%)
55
(26%)
30
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
47
(11%)
5
(19%)
9
(38%)
18
(32%)
15
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(8%)
10
(8%)
9
(37%)
44
(47%)
56
0-17
(100%)
119
(8%)
9
(10%)
12
(36%)
43
(46%)
55
0-17
(100%)
534
(5%)
25
(5%)
26
(37%)
196
(54%)
287
18-34
(100%)
534
(7%)
35
(7%)
40
(41%)
220
(45%)
239
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(5%)
81
(7%)
120
(44%)
772
(45%)
800
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(5%)
96
(11%)
187
(43%)
770
(41%)
720
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(6%)
101
(9%)
172
(41%)
758
(44%)
797
55+
(100%)
1,828
(6%)
116
(14%)
251
(42%)
772
(38%)
689
55+
(100%)
98
(11%)
11
(14%)
14
(31%)
30
(44%)
43
Undisclosed
(100%)
98
(9%)
9
(13%)
13
(41%)
40
(37%)
36
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(2%)
(1%)
4,352
21
(3%)
(3%)
61
41
(27%)
(28%)
126
350
(68%)
(68%)
1,225
864
2,940
Brisbane
(100%)
2,115
(1%)
20
(3%)
56
(29%)
604
(68%)
1,435
(100%)
236
(3%)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(13%)
(10%)
4,352
164
(27%)
(22%)
428
345
(39%)
(41%)
948
503
(21%)
(27%)
1,786
264
Brisbane
1,190
Total
7
(3%)
8
(29%)
69
(64%)
152
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
(100%)
2,115
(8%)
172
(19%)
403
(43%)
904
(30%)
636
(100%)
236
(12%)
28
(21%)
50
(40%)
95
(27%)
63
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
Table 83:
Community contributions (Attracting new businesses to the community) (Q25)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
Total
(100%)
510
(8%)
41
(23%)
115
(38%)
192
(32%)
162
Mackay
Library
(100%)
510
(1%)
6
(3%)
14
(25%)
128
(71%)
362
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(15%)
8
(9%)
5
(43%)
23
(33%)
18
Paroo
(100%)
54
(7%)
4
(0%)
-
(26%)
14
(67%)
36
Paroo
(100%)
114
(3%)
3
(5%)
6
(35%)
40
(57%)
65
(100%)
47
(6%)
3
(26%)
12
(47%)
22
(21%)
10
(100%)
114
(11%)
12
(16%)
18
(41%)
47
(32%)
37
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
47
(0%)
-
(2%)
1
(43%)
20
(55%)
26
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(9%)
11
(18%)
21
(35%)
42
(38%)
45
0-17
(100%)
119
(3%)
4
(3%)
3
(22%)
26
(72%)
86
0-17
(100%)
534
(9%)
46
(19%)
102
(43%)
232
(29%)
154
18-34
(100%)
534
(1%)
7
(2%)
9
(25%)
135
(72%)
383
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(9%)
151
(22%)
391
(40%)
715
(29%)
516
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(1%)
13
(2%)
40
(27%)
487
(70%)
1,233
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(11%)
206
(23%)
415
(42%)
764
(24%)
443
55+
(100%)
1,828
(2%)
34
(4%)
72
(30%)
549
(64%)
1,173
55+
Library User Survey
Table 82:
Community contributions (Ensuring access to the Internet for all) (Q25)
(100%)
98
(14%)
14
(19%)
19
(34%)
33
(33%)
32
Undisclosed
(100%)
98
(3%)
3
(2%)
2
(29%)
28
(66%)
65
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
152
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
153
1,276
(100%)
(100%)
(11%)
(8%)
4,352
141
(23%)
(17%)
346
289
(40%)
(41%)
721
513
(26%)
(35%)
1,765
333
Brisbane
1,520
Total
Total
No
Yes
1,275
(100%)
(100%)
(46%)
(51%)
4,345
589
(54%)
(49%)
2,196
686
Brisbane
2,149
Total
Table 85:
Purchases prompted by library services (Q26)
Total
Don’t Know
Not Important
Important
Very Important
(100%)
236
(10%)
23
(16%)
37
(42%)
98
(33%)
78
(100%)
2,110
(51%)
1,075
(49%)
1,035
(100%)
235
(57%)
134
(43%)
101
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
(100%)
2,115
(6%)
131
(13%)
284
(41%)
875
(39%)
825
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast
Table 84:
Community contributions (Supporting existing local businesses) (Q25)
(100%)
510
(54%)
276
(46%)
234
Mackay
Library
(100%)
510
(7%)
34
(17%)
87
(37%)
187
(40%)
202
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(74%)
40
(26%)
14
Paroo
(100%)
54
(9%)
5
(9%)
5
(39%)
21
(43%)
23
Paroo
(100%)
114
(9%)
10
(10%)
11
(42%)
48
(39%)
45
(100%)
47
(62%)
29
(38%)
18
(100%)
114
(46%)
53
(54%)
61
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
47
(4%)
2
(17%)
8
(49%)
23
(30%)
14
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(53%)
63
(47%)
56
0-17
(100%)
119
(9%)
11
(12%)
14
(31%)
37
(48%)
57
0-17
(100%)
534
(53%)
284
(47%)
250
18-34
(100%)
534
(8%)
42
(13%)
68
(41%)
221
(38%)
203
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(48%)
851
(52%)
922
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(7%)
124
(17%)
303
(39%)
693
(37%)
653
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(52%)
945
(48%)
883
55+
(100%)
1,828
(9%)
157
(18%)
323
(42%)
773
(31%)
575
55+
(100%)
91
(58%)
53
(42%)
38
Undisclosed
(100%)
98
(12%)
12
(13%)
13
(42%)
41
(33%)
32
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
Actual
Respondents
Total
Other
Equipment,
computer, camera,
etc
Membership,
tuition, courses,
etc
Book, magazine,
CD, DVD, etc
Not Applicable
1,119
(117%)
(116%)
3619
1,308
(4%)
(6%)
4,183
46
(11%)
(11%)
202
119
(8%)
(8%)
412
84
(56%)
(50%)
275
627
(39%)
(41%)
1,827
432
Brisbane
1,467
Total
1,698
(117%)
1,984
(8%)
129
(12%)
207
(9%)
156
(49%)
834
(39%)
658
Sunshine
Coast
184
(113%)
208
(4%)
7
(14%)
25
(7%)
12
(43%)
80
(46%)
84
Fraser
Coast
429
(109%)
469
(4%)
17
(10%)
44
(3%)
15
(46%)
196
(46%)
197
Mackay
Library
50
(104%)
52
(0%)
-
(6%)
3
(0%)
-
(26%)
13
(72%)
36
Paroo
39
(115%)
45
(3%)
1
(8%)
3
(8%)
3
(44%)
17
(54%)
21
Mount Isa
100
(117%)
117
(2%)
2
(11%)
11
(5%)
5
(60%)
60
(39%)
39
Goondiwindi
100
(114%)
114
(5%)
5
(7%)
7
(7%)
7
(53%)
53
(42%)
42
0-17
453
(113%)
512
(3%)
13
(7%)
31
(8%)
36
(51%)
229
(45%)
203
18-34
1484
(117%)
1,732
(6%)
94
(12%)
178
(7%)
104
(54%)
795
(38%)
561
35-54
Age
1519
(116%)
1,757
(6%)
90
(13%)
190
(8%)
126
(47%)
716
(42%)
635
55+
Library User Survey
Table 86:
Purchase type (Q27)
63
(108%)
68
(0%)
-
(10%)
6
(3%)
2
(54%)
34
(41%)
26
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
154
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
155
Total
Over $250
$101-$250
$51-$100
$21-$50
$11-$20
$0-$10
Not Applicable
Table 87:
Money spent (Q28)
1,275
(100%)
(100%)
(11%)
(10%)
4,345
146
(10%)
(8%)
437
126
(14%)
(12%)
357
179
(15%)
(14%)
533
189
(3%)
(3%)
602
36
(1%)
(4%)
151
13
(46%)
(48%)
168
586
Brisbane
2,097
Total
(100%)
2,110
(10%)
205
(8%)
161
(12%)
243
(15%)
307
(4%)
77
(7%)
140
(46%)
977
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
235
(7%)
17
(11%)
25
(10%)
24
(10%)
24
(4%)
10
(1%)
2
(57%)
133
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
510
(9%)
44
(6%)
33
(12%)
59
(12%)
62
(4%)
22
(2%)
12
(55%)
278
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(4%)
2
(2%)
1
(9%)
5
(7%)
4
(4%)
2
(0%)
-
(74%)
40
Paroo
(100%)
47
(11%)
5
(4%)
2
(13%)
6
(9%)
4
(2%)
1
(0%)
-
(62%)
29
Mount Isa
(100%)
114
(16%)
18
(8%)
9
(15%)
17
(11%)
12
(3%)
3
(1%)
1
(47%)
54
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(3%)
4
(2%)
2
(8%)
10
(17%)
20
(10%)
12
(7%)
8
(53%)
63
0-17
(100%)
534
(9%)
46
(7%)
39
(11%)
61
(13%)
70
(4%)
21
(5%)
25
(51%)
272
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(11%)
192
(9%)
165
(14%)
240
(14%)
242
(3%)
53
(4%)
67
(46%)
814
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(10%)
189
(8%)
147
(12%)
211
(14%)
256
(3%)
63
(3%)
62
(49%)
900
55+
(100%)
91
(7%)
6
(4%)
4
(12%)
11
(15%)
14
(2%)
2
(7%)
6
(53%)
48
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
1,244
(100%)
4,248
(100%)
421
(30%)
(22%)
351
371
(14%)
(12%)
917
177
(20%)
(19%)
498
245
(15%)
(18%)
822
182
(9%)
(12%)
749
112
(6%)
(8%)
526
69
(7%)
(9%)
353
88
383
Brisbane
(100%)
2,069
312
(16%)
340
(11%)
237
(19%)
384
(19%)
393
(15%)
311
(10%)
199
(10%)
205
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
222
365*
(25%)
56
(9%)
19
(23%)
50
(17%)
37
(9%)
21
(6%)
13
(12%)
26
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
499
329*
(21%)
105
(9%)
46
(18%)
92
(18%)
91
(13%)
65
(10%)
51
(10%)
49
Mackay
(100%)
54
347*
(17%)
9
(15%)
8
(19%)
10
(30%)
16
(7%)
4
(9%)
5
(4%)
2
Paroo
16 *Single and **double asterisks denote significance at the five and one per cent levels to the overall mean
Total
Mean score
More than $750
$501 to $750
$251 to $500
$101 to $250
$51 to $100
$1 to $50
Nothing
Total
Library
(100%)
47
358*
(21%)
10
(9%)
4
(30%)
14
(15%)
7
(6%)
3
(9%)
4
(11%)
5
Mount Isa
(100%)
113
346*
(23%)
26
(6%)
7
(24%)
27
(20%)
23
(9%)
10
(11%)
12
(7%)
8
Goondiwindi
(100%)
118
155
(4%)
5
(4%)
5
(13%)
15
(16%)
19
(21%)
25
(17%)
20
(25%)
29
0-17
(100%)
532
301**
(15%)
81
(9%)
50
(20%)
105
(23%)
125
(13%)
68
(11%)
59
(8%)
44
18-34
(100%)
1,767
381
(26%)
453
(12%)
218
(19%)
344
(16%)
282
(11%)
199
(7%)
132
(8%)
139
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,815
348*
(21%)
374
(12%)
224
(20%)
356
(18%)
321
(13%)
233
(8%)
140
(9%)
167
55+
Library User Survey
Table 88:
Estimate private market cost of public library services16 (Q29)
(100%)
16
304*
(25%)
4
(6%)
1
(13%)
2
(13%)
2
(6%)
1
(13%)
2
(25%)
4
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
156
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
157
301
(24%)
248
(20%)
962
(23%)
647
(15%)
1,248
(100%)
4,256
(100%)
71
(2%)
(1%)
52
26
(3%)
(2%)
51
38
94
(8%)
(25%)
(33%)
(5%)
315
1,413
100
(18%)
(20%)
233
220
856
Brisbane
(100%)
2,073
42
(1%)
18
(2%)
32
(5%)
94
(13%)
262
(22%)
458
(37%)
765
(21%)
444
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
223
43*
(0%)
1
(4%)
8
(2%)
5
(13%)
30
(23%)
52
(33%)
74
(24%)
53
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
497
41**
(1%)
4
(2%)
9
(3%)
17
(14%)
70
(22%)
107
(38%)
190
(20%)
100
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
47*
(0%)
-
(2%)
1
(6%)
3
(19%)
10
(35%)
19
(26%)
14
(13%)
7
Paroo
17 *Single and **double asterisks denote significance at the five and one per cent levels to the overall mean
Total
Mean score
More than $500
per annum
$251 to $500 per
annum
$101 to $250 per
annum
$51 to $100 per
annum
$26 to $50 per
annum
$1 to $25 per
annum
Nothing
Total
Table 89:
Willingness to pay for public library services17 (Q31)
(100%)
47
65*
(2%)
1
(6%)
3
(4%)
2
(17%)
8
(11%)
5
(40%)
19
(19%)
9
Mount Isa
(100%)
114
57*
(1%)
1
(3%)
3
(11%)
12
(17%)
19
(18%)
20
(32%)
36
(20%)
23
Goondiwindi
(100%)
118
41*
(3%)
3
(1%)
1
(3%)
4
(10%)
12
(20%)
24
(30%)
35
(33%)
39
0-17
(100%)
533
41**
(1%)
7
(1%)
5
(4%)
20
(14%)
73
(22%)
117
(41%)
221
(17%)
90
18-34
(100%)
1,768
49*
(1%)
18
(2%)
38
(6%)
107
(16%)
280
(23%)
405
(32%)
572
(20%)
348
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,821
52*
(1%)
23
(3%)
50
(6%)
101
(15%)
282
(23%)
414
(32%)
580
(20%)
371
55+
(100%)
16
20**
(0%)
-
(0%)
-
(6%)
1
(0%)
-
(13%)
2
(31%)
5
(50%)
8
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
Total
Female
Male
Table 91:
Gender (Q35)
Total
Libraries are
currently worth
LESS than this, but
extra funds could
pay for better
services.
Libraries are worth
MORE than this,
but I can’t afford
more / don’t want
to pay more.
The amount
is what I think
libraries are worth.
1,247
(100%)
(100%)
(75%)
(75%)
4,254
930
(25%)
(25%)
3,210
317
1,044
Brisbane
(100%)
(100%)
Total
1,254
(1%)
(1%)
4,270
15
(94%)
(94%)
39
1,177
(5%)
(5%)
3,997
62
Brisbane
234
Total
(100%)
2,072
(75%)
1,557
(25%)
515
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
2,078
(1%)
12
(94%)
1,956
(5%)
110
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
222
(79%)
175
(21%)
47
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
223
(0%)
1
(94%)
209
(6%)
13
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
498
(78%)
388
(22%)
110
Mackay
Library
(100%)
500
(2%)
9
(90%)
450
(8%)
41
Mackay
Library
-
(100%)
54
(63%)
34
(37%)
20
Paroo
(100%)
54
(0%)
-
(100%)
54
(0%)
Paroo
(100%)
47
(70%)
33
(30%)
14
Mount Isa
(100%)
47
(2%)
1
(94%)
44
(4%)
2
Mount Isa
(100%)
114
(82%)
93
(18%)
21
Goondiwindi
(100%)
114
(1%)
1
(94%)
107
(5%)
6
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(64%)
76
(36%)
43
0-17
(100%)
119
(6%)
7
(69%)
82
(25%)
30
0-17
(100%)
534
(83%)
445
(17%)
89
18-34
(100%)
534
(3%)
15
(90%)
483
(7%)
36
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(81%)
1,443
(19%)
330
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(1%)
9
(95%)
1,693
(4%)
71
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(68%)
1,246
(32%)
582
55+
(100%)
1,828
(0%)
7
(94%)
1,725
(5%)
96
55+
Library User Survey
Table 90:
Best describes the value of public libraries (Q33)
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
Undisclosed
(100%)
16
(6%)
1
(88%)
14
(6%)
1
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
158
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
159
Total
Undisclosed
55 or over
35-54
18-34
17 or under
Table 92:
Age groups (Q36)
Sunshine Coast
Fraser Coast
1,449
(100%)
(100%)
(14%)
(14%)
4,926
202
(40%)
(37%)
672
580
(35%)
(36%)
1,828
501
(10%)
(11%)
1,773
146
(1%)
(2%)
534
20
119
(100%)
2,383
(13%)
311
(39%)
935
(36%)
864
(8%)
200
(3%)
73
(100%)
277
(20%)
55
(45%)
125
(27%)
75
(6%)
16
(2%)
6
18
(100%)
586
(15%)
88
(19%)
109
(41%)
239
(23%)
132
(3%)
Mackay
Brisbane
Total
Library
12
(0%)
-
(100%)
59
(8%)
5
(46%)
27
(25%)
15
(20%)
Paroo
1
(100%)
52
(10%)
5
(27%)
14
(37%)
19
(25%)
13
(2%)
Mount Isa
1
(100%)
120
(5%)
6
(32%)
38
(50%)
60
(13%)
15
(1%)
Goondiwindi
The Library Dividend
1,247
(100%)
(100%)
(25%)
(27%)
4,254
307
(75%)
(73%)
1,142
940
3,112
Brisbane
Total
No
Yes
1,247
(100%)
(100%)
(4%)
(2%)
4,254
45
(96%)
(98%)
92
1,202
Brisbane
4,162
Total
Table 94:
English primary language spoken at home (Q39)
Total
Other
Australia
Total
(100%)
2,072
(1%)
22
(99%)
2,050
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
2,072
(31%)
649
(69%)
1,423
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
222
(2%)
5
(98%)
217
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
222
(28%)
62
(72%)
160
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
498
(3%)
16
(97%)
482
Mackay
Library
(100%)
498
(19%)
96
(81%)
402
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(0%)
-
(100%)
54
Paroo
(100%)
54
(9%)
5
(91%)
49
Paroo
(100%)
47
(4%)
2
(96%)
45
Mount Isa
(100%)
47
(38%)
18
(62%)
29
Mount Isa
(100%)
114
(2%)
2
(98%)
112
Goondiwindi
(100%)
114
(4%)
5
(96%)
109
Goondiwindi
(100%)
119
(3%)
4
(97%)
115
0-17
(100%)
119
(14%)
17
(86%)
102
0-17
(100%)
534
(5%)
28
(95%)
506
18-34
(100%)
534
(18%)
96
(82%)
438
18-34
(100%)
1,773
(2%)
38
(98%)
1,735
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,773
(26%)
457
(74%)
1,316
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,828
(1%)
22
(99%)
1,806
55+
(100%)
1,828
(31%)
572
(69%)
1,256
55+
Library User Survey
Table 93:
Country of Birth (Q37)
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
Undisclosed
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
160
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
161
Total
Other
Group household
Other family
Single parent with
dependent children
Couple, with
dependent children
Couple, no
dependent children
Alone
1,235
(100%)
(100%)
(3%)
(3%)
4,224
36
(4%)
(3%)
130
47
(6%)
(5%)
147
77
(3%)
(4%)
224
42
(27%)
(32%)
186
338
(36%)
(37%)
1,341
442
(20%)
(15%)
1,560
253
Brisbane
636
Total
Table 95:
Household composition (Q40)
(100%)
2,057
(3%)
66
(3%)
68
(5%)
100
(5%)
113
(30%)
627
(40%)
814
(13%)
269
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
220
(5%)
10
(1%)
2
(4%)
8
(3%)
6
(23%)
51
(49%)
107
(16%)
36
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
497
(3%)
14
(6%)
28
(6%)
28
(4%)
21
(49%)
245
(25%)
122
(8%)
39
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(0%)
-
(0%)
-
(6%)
3
(4%)
2
(26%)
14
(44%)
24
(20%)
11
Paroo
(100%)
47
(6%)
3
(0%)
-
(9%)
4
(0%)
-
(40%)
19
(21%)
10
(23%)
11
Mount Isa
(100%)
114
(1%)
1
(2%)
2
(4%)
4
(2%)
2
(41%)
47
(36%)
41
(15%)
17
Goondiwindi
3
(100%)
116
(27%)
31
(11%)
13
(19%)
22
(9%)
11
(29%)
34
(2%)
2
(3%)
0-17
(100%)
533
(3%)
18
(11%)
60
(12%)
65
(5%)
25
(38%)
205
(21%)
111
(9%)
49
18-34
(100%)
1,764
(2%)
31
(3%)
48
(4%)
78
(8%)
141
(56%)
989
(17%)
303
(10%)
174
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,811
(3%)
50
(1%)
26
(3%)
59
(0%)
9
(6%)
113
(63%)
1,144
(23%)
410
55+
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
Total
Retired
Full-time student
Domestic duties/
carer
Looking for work
Employed parttime
Employed full-time
1,235
(100%)
(100%)
(29%)
(28%)
4,224
355
(4%)
(5%)
1189
54
(9%)
(10%)
203
111
(3%)
(4%)
441
32
(21%)
(23%)
158
256
(35%)
(30%)
982
427
Brisbane
1,251
Total
(100%)
2,057
(32%)
648
(6%)
114
(10%)
214
(5%)
111
(26%)
539
(21%)
431
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
220
(42%)
93
(4%)
8
(10%)
22
(3%)
6
(17%)
38
(24%)
53
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
497
(9%)
47
(4%)
22
(14%)
69
(2%)
8
(23%)
113
(48%)
238
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(35%)
19
(0%)
-
(15%)
8
(0%)
-
(19%)
10
(31%)
17
Paroo
(100%)
47
(17%)
8
(4%)
2
(9%)
4
(0%)
-
(9%)
4
(62%)
29
Mount Isa
(100%)
114
(17%)
19
(3%)
3
(11%)
13
(1%)
1
(19%)
22
(49%)
56
Goondiwindi
4
(100%)
116
(3%)
4
(78%)
91
(1%)
1
(9%)
10
(5%)
6
(3%)
0-17
(100%)
533
(0%)
1
(13%)
70
(16%)
87
(6%)
31
(21%)
112
(44%)
232
18-34
(100%)
1,764
(3%)
49
(2%)
35
(16%)
284
(5%)
81
(32%)
569
(42%)
746
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,811
(63%)
1,135
(0%)
7
(4%)
69
(2%)
36
(16%)
295
(15%)
269
55+
Library User Survey
Table 96:
Employment Status (Q41)
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
162
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
163
402
(33%)
1,235
(100%)
(23%)
4,224
(100%)
Total
(29%)
(25%)
957
352
(19%)
(26%)
1,074
229
(20%)
(25%)
1,118
252
1,075
Brisbane
University –
Postgraduate
degree
University –
Undergraduate
degree
Trade / technical /
business college
Primary / high
school
Total
Table 97:
Highest level of education (Q42)
(100%)
2,057
(20%)
415
(24%)
501
(30%)
621
(25%)
520
Sunshine
Coast
(100%)
220
(12%)
27
(20%)
43
(35%)
78
(33%)
72
Fraser
Coast
(100%)
497
(19%)
94
(26%)
128
(26%)
130
(29%)
145
Mackay
Library
(100%)
54
(2%)
1
(15%)
8
(24%)
13
(59%)
32
Paroo
(100%)
47
(13%)
6
(28%)
13
(26%)
12
(34%)
16
Mount Isa
(100%)
114
(11%)
12
(25%)
29
(31%)
35
(33%)
38
Goondiwindi
(100%)
116
(3%)
3
(3%)
3
(3%)
3
(92%)
107
0-17
(100%)
533
(18%)
96
(34%)
181
(21%)
112
(27%)
144
18-34
(100%)
1,764
(27%)
478
(26%)
456
(29%)
505
(18%)
325
35-54
Age
(100%)
1,811
(21%)
380
(24%)
434
(27%)
498
(28%)
499
55+
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
Undisclosed
The Library Dividend
138
(11%)
486
(12%)
1,235
(100%)
4,224
(100%)
52,650*
(24%)
(21%)
50,022
302
(3%)
(2%)
888
33
(4%)
(3%)
74
51
(8%)
(6%)
115
95
(7%)
(6%)
252
81
271
(9%)
(13%)
(15%)
(9%)
155
620
114
(10%)
(12%)
387
120
(7%)
(9%)
514
83
(5%)
(6%)
374
63
243
Brisbane
(100%)
2,057
45,693
(20%)
416
(1%)
16
(2%)
39
(4%)
84
(5%)
98
(8%)
174
(12%)
244
(16%)
333
(15%)
312
(10%)
211
(6%)
130
(100%)
220
38,716
(18%)
40
(0%)
1
(0%)
-
(3%)
6
(4%)
9
(7%)
15
(9%)
19
(19%)
41
(16%)
35
(15%)
34
(9%)
20
(100%)
497
64,909
(19%)
93
(3%)
17
(4%)
19
(11%)
55
(12%)
61
(12%)
62
(12%)
62
(12%)
61
(6%)
28
(5%)
23
(3%)
16
(100%)
54
47,037*
(13%)
7
(0%)
-
(0%)
-
(6%)
3
(15%)
8
(7%)
4
(2%)
1
(11%)
6
(17%)
9
(17%)
9
(13%)
7
Paroo
18 *Single and **double asterisks denote significance at the five and one per cent levels to the overall mean
Total
Mean score
Rather not say
Over $200,000
$150,000 - $199,999
$120,000 - $149,999
$100,000 - $119,999
$80,000 - $99,999
$60,000 - $79,999
$40,000 - $59,999
$25,000 - $39,999
$15,000 - $24,999
Under $15,000
Total
Library
Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast Mackay
(100%)
47
60,426*
(23%)
11
(11%)
5
(6%)
3
(9%)
4
(13%)
6
(15%)
7
(4%)
2
(6%)
3
(2%)
1
(4%)
2
(6%)
3
(100%)
114
53,706*
(17%)
19
(2%)
2
(3%)
3
(4%)
5
(7%)
8
(10%)
11
(18%)
20
(18%)
21
(8%)
9
(11%)
12
(4%)
4
Mount Isa Goondiwindi
(100%)
116
17,974*
(58%)
67
(1%)
1
(0%)
-
(1%)
1
(3%)
3
(3%)
3
(8%)
9
(6%)
7
(4%)
5
(3%)
3
(15%)
17
0-17
(100%)
533
62,772
(17%)
91
(2%)
11
(4%)
22
(11%)
60
(9%)
50
(10%)
55
(14%)
74
(14%)
74
(7%)
39
(4%)
21
(7%)
36
18-34
(100%)
1,764
60,985
(19%)
329
(3%)
46
(4%)
72
(8%)
149
(9%)
164
(12%)
214
(13%)
235
(15%)
261
(8%)
149
(5%)
97
(3%)
48
Age
35-54
(100%)
1,811
37,644
(22%)
401
(1%)
16
(1%)
21
(2%)
42
(3%)
54
(6%)
115
(9%)
168
(15%)
278
(18%)
321
(14%)
253
(8%)
142
55+
Library User Survey
Table 98:
Annual household income before tax18 (Q43)
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
(0%)
0
Undisclosed
Appendix 1
164
Table 99:
Other expenditure this trip (Mean score) (Q8) filtered by purpose of the trip (Q4)19
Cafe/
Restaurant
Total
Grocery
Shops
Other Shops
Private
Home
Indoor
Leisure
Place
Outdoor
Leisure
Place
Other
Mean Score
26.3
24.7**
28.8
26.7*
20.2
23.0*
20.6
21.7
Total
6810
1101
2781
1702
266
162
337
461
Table 100:
Travel cost for this trip (Mean score) (Q7) filtered by Main transport (Q5)
Mean Score
Total
Total
Car
Public
Transport
Walk
Bicycle
Other
19.5
21.1
17.0*
11.1
13.2
14.6*
4866
3938
198
539
114
77
Total
Borrow books or other
print materials
Borrow videos, CDs or DVDs
Accessing or downloading
other electronic resources
Use reference materials
Access the Internet
Use the computers for
other purposes
Seek staff assistance with
reference enquiries
Use a study desk/meeting
room
Attend a program, event or
activity
Attend a civic/community
meeting
Meet socially with friends
Read, watch or listen to
library materials.
Other
Table 101:
Time spent at library this trip (Mean score) (Q9) filtered by Average use of this library service (Q10)
Mean
Score
42.6
35.6
37.7
57.7
45.2
56.8
55.4
42.7*
55.8
41.9*
48.3**
52.7
48.2
45.2*
Total
14693
4484
2866
383
1224
891
373
987
409
1207
252
344
1006
267
Table 102:
Money spent (Mean score) (Q28) filtered by Purchase type (Q27)
Total
Book, magazine, CD,
DVD, etc.
Membership, tuition,
courses, etc
Equipment, computer,
camera, etc
Other (please specify)
Mean Score
125.4
59.9
60.4
47.2
48.1
Total
2686
1808
271
409
198
19 *Single and **double asterisks denote significance at the five and one per cent levels to the overall mean
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
165
Appendix
2
Household
(Non-User)
survey
Interviewing was carried out by Callrite Consulting.
The survey collected the following information:
~~ demographic profile
~~ patterns of library use/non-use
~~ perceived contributions and benefits of public libraries
~~ suggested improvements
This section presents the
findings from a survey of
a representative sample
of 1,102 Queensland
households. The survey’s
aim was to capture nonusers of public library
services. The sample was
selected using random digit
dialling using quotas to
ensure representativeness
in terms of age, gender
and location.
~~ reasons for non-use
~~ willingness to pay for services.
Data was collated, open questions were coded and the data
summarised in cross-tabulated data tables.
Household (Non-User) Survey Instrument
Hello, I’m calling on behalf of the State Library of Queensland
to conduct a survey on the value that Queensland residents
place on public libraries. Do you have approximately 5
minutes to answer a few brief questions with respect to
library services?
1. Are you a current active member of a
Queensland public library?
❍❍ Yes
❍❍ No
(if yes, then thank respondent for their time and conclude
survey advising it is aimed at non users.)
2. When was the last time, if ever, you used a
Queensland public library?
❍❍ In past week
❍❍ In past month
❍❍ In past 6 months
❍❍ More than 6 months ago
❍❍ Never
166
The Library Dividend
3. When was the last time, if ever, you used the
website of a Queensland public library?
❍❍ In past week
❍❍ In past month
❍❍ In past 6 months
❍❍ More than 6 months ago
❍❍ Never
4. Is there a particular reason why you are not a
current member of a Queensland Library?
❍❍ Opening hours do not suit me
❍❍ I am not eligible for membership
❍❍ Library services are not relevant to me
❍❍ Library locations are not convenient for me
❍❍ Other
5. Public libraries provide different benefits
to different people. In your opinion, to what
extent are the following benefits provided by
Queensland public libraries?
LARGE EXTENT; MODERATE EXTENT; SMALL EXTENT;
NOT PROVIDED; DON’T KNOW
❍❍ Help people obtain new jobs or promotions
❍❍ Contribute to productivity by supporting job skills and
knowledge
❍❍ Help people improve or start a business
❍❍ Enable people to gain or improve computer skills
❍❍ Support involvement in educational courses
❍❍ Support children’s early (0 to 5 years) development
❍❍ Support children’s education
❍❍ Facilitate informal lifelong learning
❍❍ Assist English language skills
6. Thinking about how public libraries contribute
to the general community, please say whether
or not you agree with the following statements.
AGREE STRONGLY/AGREE/DISAGREE/DISAGREE
STRONGLY/ DON’T KNOW
Public libraries make a positive contribution to the
community by:
❍❍ Being safe and pleasant places to visit
❍❍ Encouraging responsible social behaviour
❍❍ Facilitating lifelong learning and improving literacy
❍❍ Providing information about community events
❍❍ Acting as a source of government information
❍❍ Supporting local culture and the arts
❍❍ Providing public meeting spaces
❍❍ Facilitating job or career planning
❍❍ Promoting and encouraging literacy (including digital
literacy)
❍❍ Recognising the demand for non-English language
materials
❍❍ Supporting the development of English as a second
language
❍❍ Ensuring access to the Internet for all
❍❍ Attracting new businesses to the community
❍❍ Supporting existing local businesses
7. Public libraries contribute to cultural
development in a number of ways. In your
opinion, how important are the following
things that libraries do in contributing to local
community culture?
VERY IMPORTANT / IMPORTANT / NOT IMPORTANT /
DON’T KNOW
❍❍ Assist understanding of legal or medical information
❍❍ Maintaining relevant collections (books, magazines,
CDs, DVDs)
❍❍ Help people accomplish tasks and/or achieve goals
❍❍ Maintaining local history collections
❍❍ Contribute to enjoyable and meaningful pastimes
❍❍ Exhibiting local artworks
❍❍ Foster sense of community or belonging
❍❍ Arranging talks by visiting authors
❍❍ Help people find information not obtainable elsewhere
❍❍ Arranging live performances by local musicians, dancers
and actors
❍❍ Help people to pursue hobbies and interests
❍❍ Arranging multicultural activities
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
167
Appendix 2
Economic Value of Public Libraries
Household (Non-User) Survey
8. Thinking from the broader community
perspective, if your local public library service
was not funded by government, how much
would you be willing to pay to maintain the
community’s access to the current services?
(You may provide your answer at item A or
select from the nominated ranges.)
The next questions are designed to estimate the value of
the services provided through public libraries. There is no
indication that library fees will increase.
❍❍ Alone
❍❍ Couple, no dependent children ❍❍ Couple, with dependent children
❍❍ Single parent with dependent children
❍❍ Other family
❍❍ Group household
❍❍ Other
❍❍ A. $................. per annum.
17. Which of the following describes you best?
(select one)
❍❍ B. Nothing.
❍❍ Employed full-time
❍❍ C. $1 to $25 per annum.
❍❍ Employed part-time
❍❍ D. $26 to $50 per annum.
❍❍ Looking for work
❍❍ E. $51 to $100 per annum.
❍❍ Domestic duties/carer
❍❍ F. $101 to $250 per annum.
❍❍ Full-time student
❍❍ G. $251 to $500 per annum.
❍❍ Retired
❍❍ H. More than $500 per annum.
18. What is your highest level of education?
9. When thinking about your response to the
previous question, please nominate which
of the following best describes the way
you responded.
❍❍ Primary / high school
❍❍ A. The amount is what I think libraries are worth.
❍❍ University – Postgraduate degree
❍❍ B. Libraries are worth MORE than this, but I can’t afford
more / don’t want to pay more.
❍❍ C. Libraries are currently worth LESS than this, but extra
funds could pay for better services.
10. Do you have any other comments on how
public libraries contribute to the community and/
or the library’s value to you?
_______________________________________________
11. Gender: Male Female
12. What year were you born?
❍❍ Trade / technical / business college
❍❍ University – Undergraduate degree
19. What is your approximate annual household
income before tax?
❍❍ Under 15,000
❍❍ 15,000 - 24,999
❍❍ 25,000 - 39,999
❍❍ 40,000 - 59,999
❍❍ 60,000 - 79,999
❍❍ 80,000 - 99,999
❍❍ 100,000 - 119,999
❍❍ 120,000 - 149,999
13. In which country were you born?
❍❍ 150,000 - 199,999
_______________________________________________
❍❍ Over 200,000
14. What is the postcode of your home address?
15. Is English the primary language spoken in
your home?
168
16. Household composition:
The Library Dividend
❍❍ Rather not say
Household (Non-User) Survey Results
The questionnaire and results data tables are included in the following sections.
Tabulated Results
Table 103:
Last visit to Queensland Public Library (Q2)
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
In the past week
In the past
month
Response
In the past 6
months
More than 6
months ago
Never
209
9
5
16
134
45
(100%)
(4%)
(2%)
(8%)
(64%)
(22%)
146
7
7
9
95
28
(100%)
(5%)
(5%)
(6%)
(65%)
(19%)
197
6
3
9
125
54
(100%)
(3%)
(2%)
(5%)
(63%)
(27%)
148
4
2
11
97
34
(100%)
(3%)
(1%)
(7%)
(66%)
(23%)
146
7
10
13
101
15
(100%)
(5%)
(7%)
(9%)
(69%)
(10%)
154
5
4
6
114
25
(100%)
(3%)
(3%)
(4%)
(74%)
(16%)
102
3
8
5
59
27
(100%)
(3%)
(8%)
(5%)
(58%)
(26%)
1102
41
39
69
725
228
(100%)
(4%)
(4%)
(6%)
(66%)
(21%)
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
169
Appendix 2
Table 104:
Last use of Library website (Q3)
Household (Non-User) Survey
Library
Total
Mt Isa
In the past
month
In the past week
Response
In the past 6
months
More than 6
months ago
Never
209
2
4
6
29
168
(100%)
(1%)
(2%)
(3%)
(14%)
(80%)
146
6
5
4
20
111
(100%)
(4%)
(3%)
(3%)
(14%)
(76%)
197
7
2
1
42
145
(100%)
(4%)
(1%)
(1%)
(21%)
(74%)
148
3
4
6
31
104
(100%)
(2%)
(3%)
(4%)
(21%)
(70%)
146
9
2
8
37
90
(100%)
(6%)
(1%)
(5%)
(25%)
(62%)
154
2
3
3
32
114
(100%)
(1%)
(2%)
(2%)
(21%)
(74%)
102
2
1
2
23
74
(100%)
(2%)
(1%)
(2%)
(23%)
(73%)
1102
31
21
30
214
806
(100%)
(3%)
(2%)
(3%)
(19%)
(73%)
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Table 105:
Reason for non-membership (Q4)
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
170
The Library Dividend
Total
Opening hours
do not suit me
I am not eligible
for membership
Response
Library services are
not relevant to me
Library locations are
not convenient for me
Other
209
2
1
59
23
124
(100%)
(1%)
(0%)
(28%)
(11%)
(59%)
146
0
0
44
15
87
(100%)
(0%)
(0%)
(30%)
(10%)
(60%)
197
7
0
46
19
125
(100%)
(4%)
(0%)
(23%)
(10%)
(63%)
148
1
0
39
10
98
(100%)
(1%)
(0%)
(26%)
(7%)
(66%)
146
2
0
29
9
106
(100%)
(1%)
(0%)
(20%)
(6%)
(73%)
154
2
1
45
20
86
(100%)
(1%)
(1%)
(29%)
(13%)
(56%)
102
3
0
30
21
48
(100%)
(3%)
(0%)
(29%)
(21%)
(47%)
1102
17
2
292
117
674
(100%)
(2%)
(0%)
(26%)
(11%)
(61%)
Table 106:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Help people obtain new jobs or promotions (Q5)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
209
33
25
23
20
108
(100%)
(16%)
(12%)
(11%)
(10%)
(52%)
146
26
33
14
6
67
(100%)
(18%)
(23%)
(10%)
(4%)
(46%)
197
32
33
22
17
93
(100%)
(16%)
(17%)
(11%)
(9%)
(47%)
148
20
26
20
13
69
(100%)
(14%)
(18%)
(14%)
(9%)
(47%)
146
24
20
21
11
70
(100%)
(16%)
(14%)
(14%)
(8%)
(48%)
154
22
39
11
7
75
(100%)
(14%)
(25%)
(7%)
(5%)
(49%)
102
18
15
9
11
49
(100%)
(18%)
(15%)
(9%)
(11%)
(48%)
1102
175
191
120
85
531
(100%)
(16%)
(17%)
(11%)
(8%)
(48%)
Table 107:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Contribute to productivity by supporting job skills and knowledge(Q5)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
209
34
47
27
19
82
(100%)
(16%)
(22%)
(13%)
(9%)
(39%)
146
25
49
13
3
56
(100%)
(17%)
(34%)
(9%)
(2%)
(38%)
197
38
49
22
16
72
(100%)
(19%)
(25%)
(11%)
(8%)
(37%)
148
27
43
17
8
53
(100%)
(18%)
(29%)
(11%)
(5%)
(36%)
146
26
38
23
8
51
(100%)
(18%)
(26%)
(16%)
(5%)
(35%)
154
27
47
15
4
61
(100%)
(18%)
(31%)
(10%)
(3%)
(40%)
102
20
24
14
7
37
(100%)
(20%)
(24%)
(14%)
(7%)
(36%)
1102
197
297
131
65
412
(100%)
(18%)
(27%)
(12%)
(6%)
(37%)
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
171
Appendix 2
Table 108:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Help people or start a business (Q5)
Response
Library
Household (Non-User) Survey
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
209
28
45
36
18
82
(100%)
(13%)
(22%)
(17%)
(9%)
(39%)
146
29
40
12
6
59
(100%)
(20%)
(27%)
(8%)
(4%)
(40%)
197
41
52
19
18
67
(100%)
(21%)
(26%)
(10%)
(9%)
(34%)
148
22
36
16
12
62
(100%)
(15%)
(24%)
(11%)
(8%)
(42%)
146
28
30
26
10
52
(100%)
(19%)
(21%)
(18%)
(7%)
(36%)
154
26
42
17
8
61
(100%)
(17%)
(27%)
(11%)
(5%)
(40%)
102
22
25
13
10
32
(100%)
(22%)
(25%)
(13%)
(10%)
(31%)
1102
196
270
139
82
415
(100%)
(18%)
(25%)
(13%)
(7%)
(38%)
Not provided
Don’t know
Table 109:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Enable people to gain or improve computer skills (Q5)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
172
The Library Dividend
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
209
58
72
26
8
45
(100%)
(28%)
(34%)
(12%)
(4%)
(22%)
146
56
51
15
3
21
(100%)
(38%)
(35%)
(10%)
(2%)
(14%)
197
70
61
16
6
44
(100%)
(36%)
(31%)
(8%)
(3%)
(22%)
148
60
55
6
4
23
(100%)
(41%)
(37%)
(4%)
(3%)
(16%)
146
60
46
16
3
21
(100%)
(41%)
(32%)
(11%)
(2%)
(14%)
154
65
45
10
5
29
(100%)
(42%)
(29%)
(6%)
(3%)
(19%)
102
35
35
9
0
23
(100%)
(34%)
(34%)
(9%)
(0%)
(23%)
1102
404
365
98
29
206
(100%)
(37%)
(33%)
(9%)
(3%)
(19%)
Table 110:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Support involvement in educational courses (Q5)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
209
74
63
17
13
42
(100%)
(35%)
(30%)
(8%)
(6%)
(20%)
146
62
47
6
2
29
(100%)
(42%)
(32%)
(4%)
(1%)
(20%)
197
80
54
14
7
42
(100%)
(41%)
(27%)
(7%)
(4%)
(21%)
148
59
43
7
1
38
(100%)
(40%)
(29%)
(5%)
(1%)
(26%)
146
57
48
5
4
32
(100%)
(39%)
(33%)
(3%)
(3%)
(22%)
154
57
46
8
5
38
(100%)
(37%)
(30%)
(5%)
(3%)
(25%)
102
46
29
5
3
19
(100%)
(45%)
(28%)
(5%)
(3%)
(19%)
1102
435
330
62
35
240
(100%)
(39%)
(30%)
(6%)
(3%)
(22%)
Table 111:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Support children’s early (0 to 5 years) development (Q5)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
209
129
44
8
6
22
(100%)
(62%)
(21%)
(4%)
(3%)
(11%)
146
85
42
2
2
15
(100%)
(58%)
(29%)
(1%)
(1%)
(10%)
197
96
52
12
3
34
(100%)
(49%)
(26%)
(6%)
(2%)
(17%)
148
62
45
8
2
31
(100%)
(42%)
(30%)
(5%)
(1%)
(21%)
146
73
38
8
1
26
(100%)
(50%)
(26%)
(5%)
(1%)
(18%)
154
79
39
4
2
30
(100%)
(51%)
(25%)
(3%)
(1%)
(19%)
102
62
18
3
3
16
(100%)
(61%)
(18%)
(3%)
(3%)
(16%)
1102
586
278
45
19
174
(100%)
(53%)
(25%)
(4%)
(2%)
(16%)
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
173
Appendix 2
Table 112:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Support children’s education (Q5)
Response
Library
Household (Non-User) Survey
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
209
133
53
6
4
13
(100%)
(64%)
(25%)
(3%)
(2%)
(6%)
146
91
46
4
2
3
(100%)
(62%)
(32%)
(3%)
(1%)
(2%)
197
102
65
6
2
22
(100%)
(52%)
(33%)
(3%)
(1%)
(11%)
148
69
49
9
3
18
(100%)
(47%)
(33%)
(6%)
(2%)
(12%)
146
70
53
8
0
15
(100%)
(48%)
(36%)
(5%)
(0%)
(10%)
154
87
45
5
2
15
(100%)
(56%)
(29%)
(3%)
(1%)
(10%)
102
65
23
4
0
10
(100%)
(64%)
(23%)
(4%)
(0%)
(10%)
1102
617
334
42
13
96
(100%)
(56%)
(30%)
(4%)
(1%)
(9%)
Table 113:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Facilitate informal lifelong learning (Q5)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
174
The Library Dividend
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
209
89
76
10
3
31
(100%)
(43%)
(36%)
(5%)
(1%)
(15%)
146
72
51
3
2
18
(100%)
(49%)
(35%)
(2%)
(1%)
(12%)
197
78
80
11
3
25
(100%)
(40%)
(41%)
(6%)
(2%)
(13%)
148
53
56
9
6
24
(100%)
(36%)
(38%)
(6%)
(4%)
(16%)
146
69
52
10
4
11
(100%)
(47%)
(36%)
(7%)
(3%)
(8%)
154
76
48
4
3
23
(100%)
(49%)
(31%)
(3%)
(2%)
(15%)
102
36
37
7
2
20
(100%)
(35%)
(36%)
(7%)
(2%)
(20%)
1102
473
400
54
23
152
(100%)
(43%)
(36%)
(5%)
(2%)
(14%)
Table 114:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Assist English language skills (Q5)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
209
64
72
9
5
59
(100%)
(31%)
(34%)
(4%)
(2%)
(28%)
146
44
54
4
4
40
(100%)
(30%)
(37%)
(3%)
(3%)
(27%)
197
61
74
12
9
41
(100%)
(31%)
(38%)
(6%)
(5%)
(21%)
148
43
40
12
7
46
(100%)
(29%)
(27%)
(8%)
(5%)
(31%)
146
43
59
11
3
30
(100%)
(29%)
(40%)
(8%)
(2%)
(21%)
154
52
38
5
7
52
(100%)
(34%)
(25%)
(3%)
(5%)
(34%)
102
28
31
8
5
30
(100%)
(27%)
(30%)
(8%)
(5%)
(29%)
1102
335
368
61
40
298
(100%)
(30%)
(33%)
(6%)
(4%)
(27%)
Table 115:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Assist understanding of legal or medicine information (Q5)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
209
39
67
21
8
74
(100%)
(19%)
(32%)
(10%)
(4%)
(35%)
146
28
48
11
4
55
(100%)
(19%)
(33%)
(8%)
(3%)
(38%)
197
51
59
25
15
47
(100%)
(26%)
(30%)
(13%)
(8%)
(24%)
148
27
43
21
8
49
(100%)
(18%)
(29%)
(14%)
(5%)
(33%)
146
22
46
28
7
43
(100%)
(15%)
(32%)
(19%)
(5%)
(29%)
154
33
45
15
6
55
(100%)
(21%)
(29%)
(10%)
(4%)
(36%)
102
23
32
14
7
26
(100%)
(23%)
(31%)
(14%)
(7%)
(25%)
1102
223
340
135
55
349
(100%)
(20%)
(31%)
(12%)
(5%)
(32%)
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
175
Appendix 2
Table 116:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Help people accomplish tasks and/or achieve goals (Q5)
Response
Library
Household (Non-User) Survey
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
209
39
89
26
9
46
(100%)
(19%)
(43%)
(12%)
(4%)
(22%)
146
23
77
14
5
27
(100%)
(16%)
(53%)
(10%)
(3%)
(18%)
197
45
86
21
9
36
(100%)
(23%)
(44%)
(11%)
(5%)
(18%)
148
31
55
16
10
36
(100%)
(21%)
(37%)
(11%)
(7%)
(24%)
146
34
57
21
8
26
(100%)
(23%)
(39%)
(14%)
(5%)
(18%)
154
33
71
14
4
32
(100%)
(21%)
(46%)
(9%)
(3%)
(21%)
102
32
41
9
3
17
(100%)
(31%)
(40%)
(9%)
(3%)
(17%)
1102
237
476
121
48
220
209
39
89
26
9
46
Table 117:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Contribute to enjoyable and meaningful pastimes (Q5)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
176
The Library Dividend
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
209
100
68
13
3
25
(100%)
(48%)
(33%)
(6%)
(1%)
(12%)
146
74
51
7
4
10
(100%)
(51%)
(35%)
(5%)
(3%)
(7%)
197
104
64
13
4
12
(100%)
(53%)
(32%)
(7%)
(2%)
(6%)
148
65
53
10
2
18
(100%)
(44%)
(36%)
(7%)
(1%)
(12%)
146
83
49
5
4
5
(100%)
(57%)
(34%)
(3%)
(3%)
(3%)
154
92
41
3
2
16
(100%)
(60%)
(27%)
(2%)
(1%)
(10%)
102
59
30
3
0
10
(100%)
(58%)
(29%)
(3%)
(0%)
(10%)
1102
577
356
54
19
96
(100%)
(52%)
(32%)
(5%)
(2%)
(9%)
Table 118:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Foster a sense of community or belonging (Q5)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
209
69
73
18
5
44
(100%)
(33%)
(35%)
(9%)
(2%)
(21%)
146
55
49
16
7
19
(100%)
(38%)
(34%)
(11%)
(5%)
(13%)
197
75
70
12
11
29
(100%)
(38%)
(36%)
(6%)
(6%)
(15%)
148
51
49
16
8
24
(100%)
(34%)
(33%)
(11%)
(5%)
(16%)
146
56
50
20
6
14
(100%)
(38%)
(34%)
(14%)
(4%)
(10%)
154
61
48
11
4
30
(100%)
(40%)
(31%)
(7%)
(3%)
(19%)
102
38
42
4
1
17
(100%)
(37%)
(41%)
(4%)
(1%)
(17%)
1102
405
381
97
42
177
(100%)
(37%)
(35%)
(9%)
(4%)
(16%)
Table 119:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Help people find information not obtainable elsewhere (Q5)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
209
93
76
10
3
27
(100%)
(44%)
(36%)
(5%)
(1%)
(13%)
146
85
42
10
3
6
(100%)
(58%)
(29%)
(7%)
(2%)
(4%)
197
93
58
14
11
21
(100%)
(47%)
(29%)
(7%)
(6%)
(11%)
148
71
48
12
5
12
(100%)
(48%)
(32%)
(8%)
(3%)
(8%)
146
68
47
17
6
8
(100%)
(47%)
(32%)
(12%)
(4%)
(5%)
154
80
45
10
5
14
(100%)
(52%)
(29%)
(6%)
(3%)
(9%)
102
56
28
6
2
10
(100%)
(55%)
(27%)
(6%)
(2%)
(10%)
1102
546
344
79
35
98
(100%)
(50%)
(31%)
(7%)
(3%)
(9%)
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
177
Appendix 2
Table 120:
Benefit of Queensland Public Libraries: Help people to pursue hobbies and interests (Q5)
Response
Library
Household (Non-User) Survey
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Large extent
Moderate extent
Small extent
Not provided
Don’t know
209
81
101
8
1
18
(100%)
(39%)
(48%)
(4%)
(0%)
(9%)
146
61
69
7
1
8
(100%)
(42%)
(47%)
(5%)
(1%)
(5%)
197
82
87
11
6
11
(100%)
(42%)
(44%)
(6%)
(3%)
(6%)
148
60
59
10
2
17
(100%)
(41%)
(40%)
(7%)
(1%)
(11%)
146
57
65
13
2
9
(100%)
(39%)
(45%)
(9%)
(1%)
(6%)
154
75
52
7
4
16
(100%)
(49%)
(34%)
(5%)
(3%)
(10%)
102
46
36
5
1
14
(100%)
(45%)
(35%)
(5%)
(1%)
(14%)
1102
462
469
61
17
93
(100%)
(42%)
(43%)
(6%)
(2%)
(8%)
Table 121:
Positive contribution to society by: Being safe and pleasant places to visit (Q6)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
178
The Library Dividend
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t Know
209
76
123
2
2
6
(100%)
(36%)
(59%)
(1%)
(1%)
(3%)
146
71
73
1
0
1
(100%)
(49%)
(50%)
(1%)
(0%)
(1%)
197
93
98
2
0
4
(100%)
(47%)
(50%)
(1%)
(0%)
(2%)
148
60
81
1
1
5
(100%)
(41%)
(55%)
(1%)
(1%)
(3%)
146
81
60
2
0
3
(100%)
(55%)
(41%)
(1%)
(0%)
(2%)
154
65
83
1
0
5
(100%)
(42%)
(54%)
(1%)
(0%)
(3%)
102
43
54
0
1
4
(100%)
(42%)
(53%)
(0%)
(1%)
(4%)
1102
489
572
9
4
28
(100%)
(44%)
(52%)
(1%)
(0%)
(3%)
Table 122:
Positive contribution to society by: Encouraging responsible social behaviour (Q6)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t Know
209
54
132
8
0
15
(100%)
(26%)
(63%)
(4%)
(0%)
(7%)
146
53
84
3
0
6
(100%)
(36%)
(58%)
(2%)
(0%)
(4%)
197
64
107
6
1
19
(100%)
(32%)
(54%)
(3%)
(1%)
(10%)
148
42
79
6
1
20
(100%)
(28%)
(53%)
(4%)
(1%)
(14%)
146
50
77
10
1
8
(100%)
(34%)
(53%)
(7%)
(1%)
(5%)
154
52
80
5
0
17
(100%)
(34%)
(52%)
(3%)
(0%)
(11%)
102
29
60
3
1
9
(100%)
(28%)
(59%)
(3%)
(1%)
(9%)
1102
344
619
41
4
94
(100%)
(31%)
(56%)
(4%)
(0%)
(9%)
Table 123:
Positive contribution to society by: Facilitating lifelong learning and improving literacy (Q6)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t Know
209
62
137
1
0
9
(100%)
(30%)
(66%)
(0%)
(0%)
(4%)
146
46
92
1
0
7
(100%)
(32%)
(63%)
(1%)
(0%)
(5%)
197
70
115
4
0
8
(100%)
(36%)
(58%)
(2%)
(0%)
(4%)
148
41
91
3
0
13
(100%)
(28%)
(61%)
(2%)
(0%)
(9%)
146
57
82
1
0
6
(100%)
(39%)
(56%)
(1%)
(0%)
(4%)
154
53
89
3
0
9
(100%)
(34%)
(58%)
(2%)
(0%)
(6%)
102
27
64
4
0
7
(100%)
(26%)
(63%)
(4%)
(0%)
(7%)
1102
356
670
17
0
59
(100%)
(32%)
(61%)
(2%)
(0%)
(5%)
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
179
Appendix 2
Table 124:
Positive contribution to society by: Providing information about community events (Q6)
Response
Library
Household (Non-User) Survey
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t Know
209
25
104
20
0
60
(100%)
(12%)
(50%)
(10%)
(0%)
(29%)
146
20
75
10
0
41
(100%)
(14%)
(51%)
(7%)
(0%)
(28%)
197
23
85
23
0
66
(100%)
(12%)
(43%)
(12%)
(0%)
(34%)
148
24
62
19
1
42
(100%)
(16%)
(42%)
(13%)
(1%)
(28%)
146
26
74
11
1
34
(100%)
(18%)
(51%)
(8%)
(1%)
(23%)
154
22
79
13
2
38
(100%)
(14%)
(51%)
(8%)
(1%)
(25%)
102
15
55
6
1
25
(100%)
(15%)
(54%)
(6%)
(1%)
(25%)
1102
155
534
102
5
306
(100%)
(14%)
(48%)
(9%)
(0%)
(28%)
Table 125:
Positive contribution to society by: Acting as a source of government information (Q6)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
180
The Library Dividend
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t Know
209
15
91
28
2
73
(100%)
(7%)
(44%)
(13%)
(1%)
(35%)
146
8
73
16
1
48
(100%)
(5%)
(50%)
(11%)
(1%)
(33%)
197
20
85
25
0
67
(100%)
(10%)
(43%)
(13%)
(0%)
(34%)
148
9
60
28
1
50
(100%)
(6%)
(41%)
(19%)
(1%)
(34%)
146
18
67
9
5
47
(100%)
(12%)
(46%)
(6%)
(3%)
(32%)
154
12
71
14
5
52
(100%)
(8%)
(46%)
(9%)
(3%)
(34%)
102
8
47
10
0
37
(100%)
(8%)
(46%)
(10%)
(0%)
(36%)
1102
90
494
130
14
374
(100%)
(8%)
(45%)
(12%)
(1%)
(34%)
Table 126:
Positive contribution to society by: Supporting local culture and the arts (Q6)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t Know
209
41
136
8
0
24
(100%)
(20%)
(65%)
(4%)
(0%)
(11%)
146
34
94
6
0
12
(100%)
(23%)
(64%)
(4%)
(0%)
(8%)
197
45
116
11
0
25
(100%)
(23%)
(59%)
(6%)
(0%)
(13%)
148
28
89
6
0
25
(100%)
(19%)
(60%)
(4%)
(0%)
(17%)
146
35
84
5
2
20
(100%)
(24%)
(58%)
(3%)
(1%)
(14%)
154
37
85
3
1
28
(100%)
(24%)
(55%)
(2%)
(1%)
(18%)
102
15
60
10
0
17
(100%)
(15%)
(59%)
(10%)
(0%)
(17%)
1102
235
664
49
3
151
(100%)
(21%)
(60%)
(4%)
(0%)
(14%)
Table 127:
Positive contribution to society by: Providing public meeting places (Q6)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t Know
209
29
105
24
2
49
(100%)
(14%)
(50%)
(11%)
(1%)
(23%)
146
20
95
9
0
22
(100%)
(14%)
(65%)
(6%)
(0%)
(15%)
197
31
96
18
1
51
(100%)
(16%)
(49%)
(9%)
(1%)
(26%)
148
20
78
10
0
40
(100%)
(14%)
(53%)
(7%)
(0%)
(27%)
146
28
77
8
2
31
(100%)
(19%)
(53%)
(5%)
(1%)
(21%)
154
17
82
11
1
43
(100%)
(11%)
(53%)
(7%)
(1%)
(28%)
102
11
39
16
0
36
(100%)
(11%)
(38%)
(16%)
(0%)
(35%)
1102
156
572
96
6
272
(100%)
(14%)
(52%)
(9%)
(1%)
(25%)
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
181
Appendix 2
Table 128:
Positive contribution to society by: Facilitating job or career planning (Q6)
Response
Library
Total
Household (Non-User) Survey
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t Know
209
19
65
36
2
87
(100%)
(9%)
(31%)
(17%)
(1%)
(42%)
146
12
59
15
1
59
(100%)
(8%)
(40%)
(10%)
(1%)
(40%)
197
14
79
32
5
67
(100%)
(7%)
(40%)
(16%)
(3%)
(34%)
148
9
59
22
1
57
(100%)
(6%)
(40%)
(15%)
(1%)
(39%)
146
11
52
17
2
64
(100%)
(8%)
(36%)
(12%)
(1%)
(44%)
154
8
63
19
1
63
(100%)
(5%)
(41%)
(12%)
(1%)
(41%)
102
14
39
12
1
36
(100%)
(14%)
(38%)
(12%)
(1%)
(35%)
1102
87
416
153
13
433
(100%)
(8%)
(38%)
(14%)
(1%)
(39%)
Table 129:
Positive contribution to society by: Promoting and encouraging literacy (including digital literacy) (Q6)
Response
Library
Total
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
182
The Library Dividend
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t Know
209
41
113
12
0
43
(100%)
(20%)
(54%)
(6%)
(0%)
(21%)
146
33
87
5
0
21
(100%)
(23%)
(60%)
(3%)
(0%)
(14%)
197
45
109
13
0
30
(100%)
(23%)
(55%)
(7%)
(0%)
(15%)
148
37
84
6
0
21
(100%)
(25%)
(57%)
(4%)
(0%)
(14%)
146
38
92
3
1
12
(100%)
(26%)
(63%)
(2%)
(1%)
(8%)
154
31
83
5
1
34
(100%)
(20%)
(54%)
(3%)
(1%)
(22%)
102
13
60
9
1
19
(100%)
(13%)
(59%)
(9%)
(1%)
(19%)
1102
238
628
53
3
180
(100%)
(22%)
(57%)
(5%)
(0%)
(16%)
Table 130:
Positive contribution to society by: Recognising the demand for non-English language materials (Q6)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t Know
209
17
87
15
1
89
(100%)
(8%)
(42%)
(7%)
(0%)
(43%)
146
13
65
6
0
62
(100%)
(9%)
(45%)
(4%)
(0%)
(42%)
197
18
91
12
3
73
(100%)
(9%)
(46%)
(6%)
(2%)
(37%)
148
11
61
6
0
70
(100%)
(7%)
(41%)
(4%)
(0%)
(47%)
146
14
58
8
1
65
(100%)
(10%)
(40%)
(5%)
(1%)
(45%)
154
10
69
7
1
67
(100%)
(6%)
(45%)
(5%)
(1%)
(44%)
102
6
45
9
1
41
(100%)
(6%)
(44%)
(9%)
(1%)
(40%)
1102
89
476
63
7
467
(100%)
(8%)
(43%)
(6%)
(1%)
(42%)
Table 131:
Positive contribution to society by: Supporting the development of English as a second language (Q6)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t Know
209
19
101
8
0
81
(100%)
(9%)
(48%)
(4%)
(0%)
(39%)
146
12
77
3
0
54
(100%)
(8%)
(53%)
(2%)
(0%)
(37%)
197
19
94
13
3
68
(100%)
(10%)
(48%)
(7%)
(2%)
(35%)
148
10
84
5
0
49
(100%)
(7%)
(57%)
(3%)
(0%)
(33%)
146
22
66
8
3
47
(100%)
(15%)
(45%)
(5%)
(2%)
(32%)
154
11
68
10
2
63
(100%)
(7%)
(44%)
(6%)
(1%)
(41%)
102
8
39
9
0
46
(100%)
(8%)
(38%)
(9%)
(0%)
(45%)
1102
101
529
56
8
408
(100%)
(9%)
(48%)
(5%)
(1%)
(37%)
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
183
Appendix 2
Table 132:
Positive contribution to society by: Ensuring access to the Internet for all (Q6)
Response
Library
Household (Non-User) Survey
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t Know
209
62
116
6
0
25
(100%)
(30%)
(56%)
(3%)
(0%)
(12%)
146
47
84
1
0
14
(100%)
(32%)
(58%)
(1%)
(0%)
(10%)
197
65
101
5
2
24
(100%)
(33%)
(51%)
(3%)
(1%)
(12%)
148
49
82
0
0
17
(100%)
(33%)
(55%)
(0%)
(0%)
(11%)
146
48
81
4
1
12
(100%)
(33%)
(55%)
(3%)
(1%)
(8%)
154
47
83
5
0
19
(100%)
(31%)
(54%)
(3%)
(0%)
(12%)
102
30
57
1
0
14
(100%)
(29%)
(56%)
(1%)
(0%)
(14%)
1102
348
604
22
3
125
(100%)
(32%)
(55%)
(2%)
(0%)
(11%)
Table 133:
Positive contribution to society by: Attracting new business to the community (Q6)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
184
The Library Dividend
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t Know
209
6
34
47
9
113
(100%)
(3%)
(16%)
(22%)
(4%)
(54%)
146
1
36
28
2
79
(100%)
(1%)
(25%)
(19%)
(1%)
(54%)
197
3
46
46
7
95
(100%)
(2%)
(23%)
(23%)
(4%)
(48%)
148
1
27
31
8
81
(100%)
(1%)
(18%)
(21%)
(5%)
(55%)
146
2
21
33
9
81
(100%)
(1%)
(14%)
(23%)
(6%)
(55%)
154
4
39
28
8
75
(100%)
(3%)
(25%)
(18%)
(5%)
(49%)
102
4
21
26
3
48
(100%)
(4%)
(21%)
(25%)
(3%)
(47%)
1102
21
224
239
46
572
(100%)
(2%)
(20%)
(22%)
(4%)
(52%)
Table 134:
Positive contribution to society by: Supporting existing local businesses (Q6)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Don’t Know
209
15
62
42
7
83
(100%)
(7%)
(30%)
(20%)
(3%)
(40%)
146
4
55
25
1
61
(100%)
(3%)
(38%)
(17%)
(1%)
(42%)
197
7
70
40
5
75
(100%)
(4%)
(36%)
(20%)
(3%)
(38%)
148
6
39
25
9
69
(100%)
(4%)
(26%)
(17%)
(6%)
(47%)
146
3
42
26
6
69
(100%)
(2%)
(29%)
(18%)
(4%)
(47%)
154
7
55
27
7
58
(100%)
(5%)
(36%)
(18%)
(5%)
(38%)
102
7
38
21
4
32
(100%)
(7%)
(37%)
(21%)
(4%)
(31%)
1102
49
361
206
39
447
(100%)
(4%)
(33%)
(19%)
(4%)
(41%)
Table 135:
Importance in contributing to local community culture: Maintain relevant collections (books, magazines, CDs, DVDs) (Q7)
Response
Library
Total
Agree Strongly
Mt Isa
209
110
88
3
8
(100%)
(53%)
(42%)
(1%)
(4%)
146
85
54
2
5
(100%)
(58%)
(37%)
(1%)
(3%)
197
105
82
1
9
(100%)
(53%)
(42%)
(1%)
(5%)
148
89
51
2
6
(100%)
(60%)
(34%)
(1%)
(4%)
146
86
55
0
5
(100%)
(59%)
(38%)
(0%)
(3%)
154
83
63
0
8
(100%)
(54%)
(41%)
(0%)
(5%)
102
54
45
0
3
(100%)
(53%)
(44%)
(0%)
(3%)
1102
612
438
8
44
(100%)
(56%)
(40%)
(1%)
(4%)
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
185
Appendix 2
Table 136:
Importance in contributing to local community culture: Maintain local history collections (Q7)
Response
Household (Non-User) Survey
Library
Total
Mt Isa
209
131
68
2
8
(100%)
(63%)
(33%)
(1%)
(4%)
146
91
52
0
3
(100%)
(62%)
(36%)
(0%)
(2%)
197
115
67
3
12
(100%)
(58%)
(34%)
(2%)
(6%)
148
90
48
5
5
(100%)
(61%)
(32%)
(3%)
(3%)
146
94
43
2
7
(100%)
(64%)
(29%)
(1%)
(5%)
154
101
46
2
5
(100%)
(66%)
(30%)
(1%)
(3%)
102
64
33
2
3
(100%)
(63%)
(32%)
(2%)
(3%)
1102
686
357
16
43
(100%)
(62%)
(32%)
(1%)
(4%)
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Table 137:
Importance in contributing to local community culture: Providing opportunities for exhibiting local artwork (Q7)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
186
The Library Dividend
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
209
75
98
19
17
(100%)
(36%)
(47%)
(9%)
(8%)
146
52
72
12
10
(100%)
(36%)
(49%)
(8%)
(7%)
197
70
90
26
11
(100%)
(36%)
(46%)
(13%)
(6%)
148
51
72
15
10
(100%)
(34%)
(49%)
(10%)
(7%)
146
48
71
13
14
(100%)
(33%)
(49%)
(9%)
(10%)
154
45
74
24
11
(100%)
(29%)
(48%)
(16%)
(7%)
102
30
45
17
10
(100%)
(29%)
(44%)
(17%)
(10%)
1102
371
522
126
83
(100%)
(34%)
(47%)
(11%)
(8%)
Table 138:
Importance in contributing to local community culture: Arranging talks by visiting authors (Q7)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
209
53
102
21
33
(100%)
(25%)
(49%)
(10%)
(16%)
146
41
81
11
13
(100%)
(28%)
(55%)
(8%)
(9%)
197
55
89
31
22
(100%)
(28%)
(45%)
(16%)
(11%)
148
48
68
14
18
(100%)
(32%)
(46%)
(9%)
(12%)
146
47
76
16
7
(100%)
(32%)
(52%)
(11%)
(5%)
154
36
81
14
23
(100%)
(23%)
(53%)
(9%)
(15%)
102
24
46
18
14
(100%)
(24%)
(45%)
(18%)
(14%)
1102
304
543
125
130
(100%)
(28%)
(49%)
(11%)
(12%)
Table 139:
Importance in contributing to local community culture: Providing opportunities for performances by local musicians, dancers and actors (Q7)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
209
31
82
49
47
(100%)
(15%)
(39%)
(23%)
(22%)
146
30
61
24
31
(100%)
(21%)
(42%)
(16%)
(21%)
197
40
63
48
46
(100%)
(20%)
(32%)
(24%)
(23%)
148
24
51
36
37
(100%)
(16%)
(34%)
(24%)
(25%)
146
30
53
32
31
(100%)
(21%)
(36%)
(22%)
(21%)
154
35
54
29
36
(100%)
(23%)
(35%)
(19%)
(23%)
102
19
37
27
19
(100%)
(19%)
(36%)
(26%)
(19%)
1102
209
401
245
247
(100%)
(19%)
(36%)
(22%)
(22%)
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
187
Appendix 2
Table 140:
Importance in contributing to local community culture: Arranging multicultural activities (Q7)
Response
Library
Total
Household (Non-User) Survey
Mt Isa
Agree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Disagree Strongly
209
43
98
33
35
(100%)
(21%)
(47%)
(16%)
(17%)
146
35
71
14
26
(100%)
(24%)
(49%)
(10%)
(18%)
197
43
86
26
42
(100%)
(22%)
(44%)
(13%)
(21%)
148
30
60
25
33
(100%)
(20%)
(41%)
(17%)
(22%)
146
32
77
13
24
(100%)
(22%)
(53%)
(9%)
(16%)
154
35
70
16
33
(100%)
(23%)
(45%)
(10%)
(21%)
102
21
36
26
19
(100%)
(21%)
(35%)
(25%)
(19%)
1102
239
498
153
212
(100%)
(22%)
(45%)
(14%)
(19%)
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Table 141:
Willingness to pay for current services (Q8)
Response
Library
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
188
The Library Dividend
Total
Nothing
$1-$25
$26-$50
$51-$100
$101-$250
$251-$500
More than $500
209
46
78
42
36
4
2
1
(100%)
(22%)
(37%)
(20%)
(17%)
(2%)
(1%)
(0%)
146
43
53
31
16
0
2
1
(100%)
(29%)
(36%)
(21%)
(11%)
(0%)
(1%)
(1%)
197
67
81
25
17
5
2
0
(100%)
(34%)
(41%)
(13%)
(9%)
(3%)
(1%)
(0%)
148
61
48
19
16
2
2
0
(100%)
(41%)
(32%)
(13%)
(11%)
(1%)
(1%)
(0%)
146
59
40
16
22
6
2
1
(100%)
(40%)
(27%)
(11%)
(15%)
(4%)
(1%)
(1%)
154
49
57
20
23
4
1
0
(100%)
(32%)
(37%)
(13%)
(15%)
(3%)
(1%)
(0%)
102
34
35
15
14
4
0
0
(100%)
(33%)
(34%)
(15%)
(14%)
(4%)
(0%)
(0%)
1102
359
392
168
144
25
11
3
(100%)
(33%)
(36%)
(15%)
(13%)
(2%)
(1%)
(0%)
Table 142:
Insight into willingness to pay response (Q9)
The amount that I think that
libraries are worth
Libraries are worth more than
this, but I can’t afford more/
don’t want to pay more.
209
16
175
18
(100%)
(8%)
(84%)
(9%)
146
13
120
13
(100%)
(9%)
(82%)
(9%)
197
13
173
11
(100%)
(7%)
(88%)
(6%)
148
6
133
9
(100%)
(4%)
(90%)
(6%)
146
13
126
7
(100%)
(9%)
(86%)
(5%)
154
8
141
5
(100%)
(5%)
(92%)
(3%)
102
8
87
7
(100%)
(8%)
(85%)
(7%)
1102
77
955
70
(100%)
(7%)
(87%)
(6%)
Total
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Libraries are currently worth
less than this, but extra funds
could pay for better services
Table 143:
Gender (Q11)
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Total
Male
Female
209
80
129
(100%)
(38%)
(62%)
146
53
93
(100%)
(36%)
(64%)
197
77
120
(100%)
(39%)
(61%)
148
61
87
(100%)
(41%)
(59%)
146
61
85
(100%)
(42%)
(58%)
154
60
94
(100%)
(39%)
(61%)
102
41
61
(100%)
(40%)
(60%)
1102
433
669
(100%)
(39%)
(61%)
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
189
Appendix 2
Table 144:
Age (Q12)
Age Cohort
Household (Non-User) Survey
Total
Mt Isa
Sunshine
Coast
16-25
26-35
36-45
46-60
61-75
76-90
91 and
over
Undisclosed
209
3
12
36
38
58
48
14
0
0
(100%)
(1%)
(6%)
(17%)
(18%)
(28%)
(23%)
(7%)
(0%)
(0%)
146
1
5
15
25
48
38
13
1
0
(100%)
(1%)
(3%)
(10%)
(17%)
(33%)
(26%)
(9%)
(1%)
(0%)
197
0
6
13
16
65
82
14
0
1
(100%)
(0%)
(3%)
(7%)
(8%)
(33%)
(42%)
(7%)
(0%)
(1%)
148
3
4
6
15
28
60
29
1
2
(100%)
(2%)
(3%)
(4%)
(10%)
(19%)
(41%)
(20%)
(1%)
(1%)
146
0
9
12
14
39
48
23
0
1
(100%)
(0%)
(6%)
(8%)
(10%)
(27%)
(33%)
(16%)
(0%)
(1%)
154
0
4
10
22
40
62
13
0
3
(100%)
(0%)
(3%)
(6%)
(14%)
(26%)
(40%)
(8%)
(0%)
(2%)
102
0
8
6
14
38
30
5
0
1
(100%)
(0%)
(8%)
(6%)
(14%)
(37%)
(29%)
(5%)
(0%)
(1%)
1102
7
48
98
144
316
368
111
2
8
(100%)
(1%)
(4%)
(9%)
(13%)
(29%)
(33%)
(10%)
(0%)
(1%)
Mackay
Fraser
Coast
0-15
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Table 145:
Place of birth (Q13)
Total
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
190
The Library Dividend
Australia
New Zealand
United Kingdom/
Ireland
Europe
Africa
Other
Undisclosed
209
192
7
6
4
0
0
0
(100%)
(92%)
(3%)
(3%)
(2%)
(0%)
(0%)
(0%)
146
129
5
7
1
2
2
0
(100%)
(88%)
(3%)
(5%)
(1%)
(1%)
(1%)
(0%)
197
166
3
22
3
0
3
0
(100%)
(84%)
(2%)
(11%)
(2%)
(0%)
(2%)
(0%)
148
113
5
21
5
1
3
0
(100%)
(76%)
(3%)
(14%)
(3%)
(1%)
(2%)
(0%)
146
109
6
14
4
9
4
0
(100%)
(75%)
(4%)
(10%)
(3%)
(6%)
(3%)
(0%)
154
141
2
6
2
1
2
0
(100%)
(92%)
(1%)
(4%)
(1%)
(1%)
(1%)
(0%)
102
96
0
1
3
0
1
1
(100%)
(94%)
(0%)
(1%)
(3%)
(0%)
(1%)
(1%)
1102
946
28
77
22
13
15
1
(100%)
(86%)
(3%)
(7%)
(2%)
(1%)
(1%)
(0%)
Table 146:
English spoken at home (Q15)
Total
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Yes
No
209
206
3
(100%)
(99%)
(1%)
146
142
4
(100%)
(97%)
(3%)
197
195
2
(100%)
(99%)
(1%)
148
145
3
(100%)
(98%)
(2%)
146
141
5
(100%)
(97%)
(3%)
154
153
1
(100%)
(99%)
(1%)
102
102
0
(100%)
(100%)
(0%)
1102
1084
18
(100%)
(98%)
(2%)
Table 147:
Household Composition (Q16)
Alone
Couple, no
dependant
children
209
38
67
82
5
12
4
1
0
(100%)
(18%)
(32%)
(39%)
(2%)
(6%)
(2%)
(0%)
(0%)
146
26
53
47
4
13
1
2
0
(100%)
(18%)
(36%)
(32%)
(3%)
(9%)
(1%)
(1%)
(0%)
197
45
94
37
9
10
0
1
1
(100%)
(23%)
(48%)
(19%)
(5%)
(5%)
(0%)
(1%)
(1%)
148
33
75
22
2
9
7
0
0
(100%)
(22%)
(51%)
(15%)
(1%)
(6%)
(5%)
(0%)
(0%)
146
36
55
30
4
11
6
1
3
(100%)
(25%)
(38%)
(21%)
(3%)
(8%)
(4%)
(1%)
(2%)
154
30
75
34
3
9
3
0
0
(100%)
(19%)
(49%)
(22%)
(2%)
(6%)
(2%)
(0%)
(0%)
102
25
39
25
4
5
3
0
1
(100%)
(25%)
(38%)
(25%)
(4%)
(5%)
(3%)
(0%)
(1%)
1102
233
458
277
31
69
24
5
5
(100%)
(21%)
(42%)
(25%)
(3%)
(6%)
(2%)
(0%)
(0%)
Total
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine
Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Couple, with
dependant
children
Single parent
with dependant
children
Other
family
Group
household
Other
Undisclosed
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
191
Appendix 2
Table 148:
Employment Status (Q17)
Total
Household (Non-User) Survey
Mt Isa
Employed
full time
Employed
part‑time
Looking
for work
Domestic
duties/carer
Full time
student
Retired
209
93
34
4
27
5
46
(100%)
(44%)
(16%)
(2%)
(13%)
(2%)
(22%)
146
48
22
6
20
2
48
(100%)
(33%)
(15%)
(4%)
(14%)
(1%)
(33%)
197
34
29
3
26
4
101
(100%)
(17%)
(15%)
(2%)
(13%)
(2%)
(51%)
148
26
18
5
9
3
87
(100%)
(18%)
(12%)
(3%)
(6%)
(2%)
(59%)
146
35
22
6
12
5
66
(100%)
(24%)
(15%)
(4%)
(8%)
(3%)
(45%)
154
52
15
5
14
2
66
(100%)
(34%)
(10%)
(3%)
(9%)
(1%)
(43%)
102
54
7
1
8
1
31
(100%)
(53%)
(7%)
(1%)
(8%)
(1%)
(30%)
1102
342
147
30
116
22
445
(100%)
(31%)
(13%)
(3%)
(11%)
(2%)
(40%)
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
Table 149:
Highest level of education (Q18)
Primary/high school
Trade/technical/
business college
209
143
35
26
5
(100%)
(68%)
(17%)
(12%)
(2%)
146
98
22
18
8
(100%)
(67%)
(15%)
(12%)
(5%)
197
130
40
19
8
(100%)
(66%)
(20%)
(10%)
(4%)
148
90
34
19
5
(100%)
(61%)
(23%)
(13%)
(3%)
146
54
26
39
27
(100%)
(37%)
(18%)
(27%)
(18%)
154
110
23
13
8
(100%)
(71%)
(15%)
(8%)
(5%)
102
73
12
11
6
(100%)
(72%)
(12%)
(11%)
(6%)
1102
698
192
145
67
(100%)
(63%)
(17%)
(13%)
(6%)
Total
Mt Isa
Mackay
Fraser Coast
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Goondiwindi
Paroo
Total
192
The Library Dividend
University University Undergraduate degree Postgraduate degree
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
193
Total
Paroo
Goondiwindi
Brisbane
Sunshine Coast
Fraser Coast
Mackay
Mt Isa
51
(5%)
(100%)
(6%)
(100%)
1102
6
(5%)
(100%)
102
7
(3%)
(100%)
154
4
(3%)
(100%)
146
4
(9%)
(100%)
148
18
(3%)
(100%)
197
4
(4%)
(100%)
146
8
Under
$15,000
209
Total
Table 150:
Gross annual income (Q19)
(8%)
93
(7%)
7
(11%)
17
(6%)
9
(10%)
15
(10%)
20
(8%)
11
(7%)
14
$15,000 $24,999
(8%)
84
(7%)
7
(9%)
14
(8%)
12
(11%)
17
(11%)
22
(5%)
7
(2%)
5
$25,000 $39,999
(8%)
92
(12%)
12
(7%)
11
(5%)
8
(7%)
11
(12%)
23
(10%)
14
(6%)
13
$40,000 $59,999
(5%)
54
(2%)
2
(5%)
8
(2%)
3
(6%)
9
(6%)
11
(6%)
9
(6%)
12
$60,000 $79,999
(5%)
60
(5%)
5
(5%)
7
(10%)
15
(3%)
4
(4%)
7
(7%)
10
(6%)
12
$60,000 $79,999
(5%)
60
(4%)
4
(5%)
8
(5%)
8
(4%)
6
(3%)
5
(8%)
12
(8%)
17
$80,000 $99,999
(4%)
39
(2%)
2
(3%)
4
(1%)
2
(1%)
2
(2%)
4
(8%)
11
(7%)
14
$100000 $119,999
(5%)
53
(3%)
3
(2%)
3
(10%)
15
(1%)
1
(1%)
2
(8%)
11
(9%)
18
$120,000 $149,999
(3%)
35
(4%)
4
(1%)
2
(6%)
9
(1%)
2
(1%)
2
(5%)
7
(4%)
9
$150,000 $199,999
(44%)
481
(49%)
50
(47%)
73
(42%)
61
(52%)
77
(42%)
83
(34%)
50
(42%)
87
Over
$200,000
Notes
194
The Library Dividend
Notes
Socio-economic value of Queensland public libraries
195
Notes
196
The Library Dividend
Notes