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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