Describing the economic impacts and benefits of Florida public libraries: Findings and methodological applications for future work

This article describes the economic impacts and benefits received from public libraries in Florida, indicating that, overall, public libraries make a significant contribution to the economic development of the state. Public libraries receive funding from taxpayers and can be one of the first institutions to experience budget cuts when they occur. Identifying the economic role that libraries play in communities is crucial to the continued funding, support, and existence of libraries. In addition, this article discusses some of the other efforts that have been undertaken to determine the economic impacts and benefits received from taxpayer investment. Drawing on these earlier efforts, the authors present a framework for further study into the economic impacts and benefits received from public libraries, and present some goals and objectives for future studies. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.