The value of libraries

In February 2014, BOP was commissioned by Arts Council England to undertake a literature review on how public libraries and their services contribute to the economy. The aim of this review was to identify and review the available evidence at national level and provide Arts Council England and the wider libraries sector with a better understanding of how libraries create economic benefits.

The review concluded that public libraries provide positive outcomes for people and communities in many areas – far exceeding the traditional perception of libraries as just places from which to borrow books. What the available evidence showed is that

public libraries, first and foremost, contribute to long term processes of 

human capital formation, the maintenance of mental and physical 

wellbeing, social inclusivity and the cohesion of communities. This is the 

real economic contribution that public libraries make to the UK: “Measuring libraries’ short term economic impact provides only a very thin, diminished account of their true value.”