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.