The Economic Impact of Libraries, part of CLA 2014 workshop, "Driving Change for Community Impact". Presented by Kimberly Silk, University of Toronto and Elizabeth Glass, Toronto Public Library. Silk begins with a look at different types of impact studies and then introduces how the Toronto Public Library engaged the Martin Prosperity Institute at the University of Toronto in 2013 to study of the economic impact and benefits of the library in its community. TPL shares the findings of the study, discusses the importance of demonstrating the economic benefits of public libraries to key stakeholders including city councils, library board members, and the local community, and provides tips for others wanting to show the impact of their libraries.

1. So Much More:
The Economic Impact
of the Toronto Public
Library on the City of
Toronto

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Funding of Study
Estate of Norman G. Hinton

5. Step 1: Environmental Scan

6. Step 2: Methodology and Message
• Valuation of library
services
• Valuation of direct
spending
• Transparent
methodology
• Conservative estimates
• Clear message

7. Toronto Public Library creates
over $1 billion in total economic impact

8. Total direct benefits reach $502 per member

9. The average open hour at a branch generates
$2,515 in direct benefits

10. 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

11. 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

12. • 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

13. 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 Librarian
Martin Prosperity Institute, University of Toronto
kimberly.silk@martinprosperity.org
@kimberlysilk
Elizabeth Glass, Manager, Planning & Development,
Planning, Policy and E-Service Delivery
Toronto Public Library
eglass@torontopubliclibrary.ca