This chart explains how we came up with the figures and retail costs used for calculating the value of library usage. Some values are estimates and/or averages based on retails costs.
Last updated January 2012.
Type of Material or Service | Value | Explanation |
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Adult Books Borrowed | $20.00 | Estimated average cost of a hardcover book |
Children’s and Young Adult Books Borrowed | $15.00 | Estimated average cost of a children’s and young adult book |
Paperback Books Borrowed | $7.00 | Estimated average cost of a paperback |
Music CDs Borrowed | $15.00 | Estimated average cost of a music CD |
Magazines Borrowed | $4.00 | Estimated cost to purchase a popular magazine |
Movies Borrowed | $8.00 | Sample 7-day rental at a self-service kiosk |
Audiobooks Borrowed/Downloaded | $30.00 | Estimated average price between downloading and purchasing an audiobook |
eBooks Downloaded | $13.00 | Estimated average cost of an eBook |
Museum Passes Borrowed (per person) | $9.00 | Admission price for one adult to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center |
Interlibrary Loan Materials | $25.00 | Average cost for loans in New Hampshire |
Meeting Room Use per Hour | $50.00 | Estimate |
Auditorium Room Use per Hour | $250.00 | Estimate |
Adult Programs Attended (per person) | $15.00 | Estimated cost for one adult to attend a show or program |
Children’s Programs Attended (per person) | $10.00 | Estimated cost for one child to attend a show or program |
Computer Use (per hour) | $12.00 | Sample hourly rate at a copy center |
Computer Classes Taken | $25.00 | Sample fee for group computer instruction or personalized training |
Online Newspaper/Magazine Article Access | $2.50 | Estimated average cost to download an article from one a newspaper or magazine |
Reference Questions Asked | $8.00 | Estimated cost per question |