Presented by Christine Rooney-Browne at the Society of Chief Librarians Seminar 2009 (University of Warwick, June 5th 2009). Social Value:
identifying, measuring and sharing some of the less obvious ways that public libraries contribute to economic and social regeneration
Public Libraries Contribution To Economic And Social Regeneration
1. SOCIAL VALUE: IDENTIFYING, MEASURING AND SHARING SOME OF THE LESS OBVIOUS WAYS THAT PUBLIC LIBRARIES CONTRIBUTE TO ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL REGENERATION Christine Rooney-Browne PhD Researcher, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Society of Chief Librarians Seminar 2009
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3. A space and place... (Scrogham, 2006). “… a place of books and reading , of research , of librarians , of free thought , and of balance – balance between education and recreation , between print and electronic , between quiet and noise , and between parental concern and civil liberties ” *
11. Responding to evolving needs... *(Rettig, 2009)). . “ During tough economic times, people turn to libraries for their incredible array of free resources, from computers to books, DVDs and CDs, for help with a job hunt or health information. The average annual cost to the taxpayer for access to this wide range of resources is about $31 , the cost of one hardcover book. In good times or bad, libraries are a great value !”* BBC, 2009 CNN, 2009 meshio.com, 2009
12. Early statistical evidence... Westminster Libraries Over the three month period to January 2009’: visits increased by 10.5%, new members by 18.3%and borrowing figures for personal finance books by 11.8% business and management books by 6.3% and basic skills books by 35.4%‘ Birmingham Libraries Towards end of 2008, membership increased by 4,500 to 175,000 ** Cumbria Libraries YOY 39% increase in new members over the period ‘September – December 2008’ *** Newcastle Libraries an increase of 10,000 new members in 2008 (a rise of 33%) and 4,000 children became members for the first time (an increase of 14%**** Glasgow Libraries 12% rise in usage and 26% increase in ‘non-fiction’ borrowing***** Dublin Libraries 30% YOY increase borrowing and 15% rise in visitors ****** Map Source: www.indymedia.ie *(Page, 2009). **(Keogh, 2009) ***(BBC, 2009b). ****(Loraine, 2009). *****(Braiden, 2009), ******(Murphy, 2009)
13. Anecdotal evidence... *(Carlton, 2009 **(NPR, 2008). Wall Street Journal focussed on one recently unemployed user who spent his time in the library listening to hip-hop DVDs whilst using the computer . When probed as to why he was spending time in the library the user stated that it was an opportunity for him to get out of the house * One family in Indiana had to sell all of their electronic equipment, cancel cable and internet subscriptions because technology had become a luxury that they could no longer afford . The library had become their sole access point for information, news and online entertainment. ** Librarians at Roxbury Public Library in New Jersey librarians have taken on the role of unofficial job counsellors and social workers in order to meet the emerging needs of visitors*
16. Public spending...the reality! *(Getz, 1989, pp. 4-5). ** (Moore, 2004 quoted in Goulding, 2009, p. 4) ***(Page, 2009c) ****(Bakewell, 2009). . “ the strength, diversity and growth of our library community is a consequence of the affluence of our economy ... libraries – along with the rest of society – have to ride the waves of macroeconomic activity ”* monstersandcritics.com