cla 2014: the economic impact of libraries
TRANSCRIPT
So Much More: The Economic Impact of the Toronto Public Library on the City of Toronto
About the Toronto Public Library
• TPL is one of the world’s busiest library systems with over 18 million visits to 98 branches in 2013; 2 new branches will open in the next 18 months.
• 72% of Toronto citizens use the TPL throughout the year, and over 1.3 million people are registered library card holders
• In January 2013, City of Toronto Council asked the City Librarian to commission a study to determine the economic impact of Toronto Public Library to the City of Toronto, and to specifically analyze the open hours policy.
About the Martin Prosperity Institute
• Part of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto
• Positioned at the intersection of academia, business and civil society
• Anchored by three of the world’s top thinkers and writers:
– Roger Martin, former Dean of Rotman School of Management; author, Playing to Win
– Don Tapscott, Executive Director of the Global Solution Networks; author, Wikinomics
– Richard Florida, author, The Rise of the Creative Class
• So Much More co-authored by Dr. Kevin Stolarick, Research Director at MPI and Kimberly Silk, Data Librarian, completed December 2013.
Funding of Study
Estate of Norman G. Hinton
Step 1: Environmental Scan
Step 2: Methodology and Message
• Valuation of library services
• Valuation of direct spending
• Transparent methodology
• Conservative estimates
• Clear message
Toronto Public Library creates over $1 billion in total economic impact
Total direct benefits reach $502 per member
The average open hour at a branch generates $2,515 in direct benefits
Intangible benefits deliver value
Opportunities for residents to
✓ improve literacy skills,
✓enhance educational and
✓employment opportunities,
✓and improve quality of life
for themselves and their families
Step 3: Communicating the Results
• More, deeper studies are needed – how to connect outputs to outcomes?
• Value of collaborations and partnerships
• Sharing and communicating the study results
• Importance of library research
• More, deeper studies are needed – how to connect outputs to outcomes?
• Value of collaborations and partnerships• Sharing and communicating the study results• Importance of library research
What We Learned
Thank you
The study can be found here:
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/content/about-the-library/pdfs/board/meetings/2013/dec09/10_1.pdf
For more information on the study contact:
Kimberly Silk, Data LibrarianMartin Prosperity Institute, University of Toronto
[email protected]@kimberlysilk
Elizabeth Glass, Manager, Planning & Development, Planning, Policy and E-Service Delivery
Toronto Public [email protected]
