How much would the services of your public library cost if you had to pay for them directly? Use this simple calculator to estimate the value of your Library use.
- Enter in the left hand column the number of times per year you or your family use each service.
- Estimated retail value of each service will be calculated on the right.
- Total annual value of your Library use is shown at the bottom of the worksheet.
- Tip: Tab between entries and do not use commas.
How These Values Were Calculated
| Item | Estimated Retail Value |
Values Explained |
| Book borrowed | $15.00 | Estimated average discount cost of hardcover and paperback books |
| Audiobook borrowed | $40.00 | Estimated average purchase cost |
| eBook borrowed | $10.00 | Estimated average purchase cost |
| Movie borrowed | $4.00 | Sample rental cost of DVD at national chain store |
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| Music CD borrowed | $10.00 | Estimated purchase cost of popular music CD |
| Magazine read | $2.00 | Estimated purchase cost of popular magazine issue |
| Newspaper read | $0.50 | Estimated purchase cost of newspaper issue |
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| Museum Adventure Passes borrowed | $16.00 | Average admissions for groups of 2 to 4 to participating museums or Brookfield Zoo |
| Interlibrary Loan request | $25.00 | Average cost for loans in Illinois |
| Adult program or class attended | $10.00 | Estimate |
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| Teen program attended | $6.00 | Estimate |
| Children program attended | $6.00 | Estimate |
| Group Study Room use per hour | $10.00 | Estimate |
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| Computer use per hour | $12.00 | Sample hourly rate at copy center |
| Online Tool used | $20.00 | Minimum cost for monthly access to sample online tool |
| Information and Reference Question asked | $7.00 | Estimated cost per question |
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