Library Use Value Calculator Explained

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

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

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