Library’s Value

I agree that the library’s value should be separated into “monetary value” and “community-enhancing value.” While I think that both of those areas of value are important, I think perhaps the “community-enhancing value” is a more important measure. However, I do realize that libraries cannot survive without having a monetary measure.

I also agree that the library’s value can be measured by the services that the library offers to the community. Promoting the various services is a key part in being able to accurately measure the “community-enhanced value.” I agree that both library administrators and librarians should take an active role in the promotion of library services. In the library where I work, the special events or services that we offer (story time, summer reading programs, computer classes, etc.) are promoted through the local newspapers, the library’s website, and the children’s librarian going to the schools.

It is essential that libraries and librarians know what services the community desires. Being able to provide statistics of the number of services and who participates or takes advantage of them is a way to measure and show that the library is providing a valuable service to the community.

Information Economy

Libraries offer information sources and provide information services for library patrons. The value of this service of providing information can possibly be measured (calculated) in several ways.
One way is to find out from the patrons whether or not the information that the library provided them was helpful and if they (the patron) found the information for which they were looking. A second was to measure (calculate) is by the number of information services that the library provides for patrons. Included in that could be how the information service is provided. For example, the library could have information available on the library’s web site and available in the library itself. A third way to measure (calculate) is by keeping track of what information is used and how often it is used. This can be done by knowing what is asked for by the patron.
In the process of measuring and providing information services, libraries and librarians should find out what information the public (patrons) want. In doing this, the value of the information services provided will be higher because the library is meeting the needs and expectations of their patrons.

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