This document summarizes a presentation about library value projects. It provides an agenda that discusses lessons learned from an economic impact study of the Toronto Public Library, including how its clear methodology has been adopted by other libraries. It also discusses how economic impact is only one limited measure and that libraries contribute much more in terms of social impact. Examples of other studies discussed include space use studies in Canada, community employment studies in Canada, and evaluations of rural libraries in Ontario. Metrics and methods for evaluating programming success in public libraries are also reviewed.

1. Library Value Projects
Presented by Kimberly Silk, MLS
Principal, Brightsail Research & Consulting
Hidden Gems: Finding and Creating Value in Libraries
OLS-North Conference
September 27, 2017

2. Agenda
• TPL Study Process & Timeline
• Lessons Learned
• Beyond Financial Impact: Social Impact
Studies
Space Use Studies (Canada)
Community Employment Studies (Canada)
Rural libraries: Bancroft PL & Hastings
Highlands PL
PLA Project Outcome (North America)

3. TPL Study Timeline
November
2012
TPL Board
passes motion
to undertake
economic
impact study
January
2013
Toronto
City Council
passes
motion
requesting
City
Librarian
prepare
economic
impact
report prior
April
2013
TPL
Distribute
s RFP for
economic
impact
study
May 2013
MPI Awarded
Contract, Begins
Work
Decemb
er 2013
TPL
Study
Released
February
2014
TPL budget
approved.
The net
budget
represents a
1.4%
increase
over the
2013
budget.

4. TPL Study: Lessons Learned
• Clear methodologies are likely to be
adopted by other libraries
 to date, 14 libraries across Canada have
used the model.
 common methodologies provide longitudinal
data for benchmarking.

5. TPL Study: Lessons Learned
• Economic is only one, limited, impact
measure.
• Libraries contribute SO MUCH MORE.

6. Space Use Studies
• Leckie, G. J., & Hopkins, J. (2002). The Public Place of Central Libraries: Findings from
Toronto and Vancouver. The Library Quarterly, 72(3), 326–372. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/stable/40039762
• Given, L. M., & Leckie, G. J. (2003). “Sweeping” the library: Mapping the social activity
space of the public library. Library & Information Science Research, 25(4), 365–385.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0740-8188(03)00049-5
• MacDonald, V., & Haug, C. (2012). Edmonton Public Library Seating Sweeps Report.
Edmonton, AB: Edmonton Public Library. Retrieved from https://www2.epl.ca/public-
files/reports/seating_sweeps_public_report.pdf?_ga=2.99514903.861280485.1502637912-
319771238.1502637912
• Given, L. M., & Archibald, H. (2015). Visual traffic sweeps (VTS): A research method for
mapping user activities in the library space. Library & Information Science Research, 37(2),
100–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2015.02.005
• Silk, K. (Forthcoming). Space Use Study: Brampton Library, Calgary Public Library and
Markham Public Library. Toronto: Canadian Urban Libraries Council.

7. Community Employment
Studies
• Sawyer, R. (1996). The economic and job creation benefits of
Ontario public libraries. The Bottom Line: Managing Library
Finances, 9(4), 14–26.
https://doi.org/10.1108/08880459610131781
• Schell, J. (2016). Workforce Development Services at EPL.
Edmonton, AB: Edmonton Public Library. Retrieved from
https://www.epl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2015/08/Job-
Seekers-Report.pdf
• Silk, K. (Forthcoming). Public Library Impact on Community
Employment Study. Toronto: Canadian Urban Libraries
Council.

8. Evaluation & Measurement in
Rural Ontario Public Libraries
• OLA Super Conference 2017
presentation by CEOs of Bancroft PL &
Hastings Highlands PL
• Reviewed Mission, Vision and Strategic
Plan to identify indicators of success
• Implemented measures to evaluate
programming
• Qualitative & Quantitative methods
• Determined clear success factors:
program growth, increased demand,
meeting outcomes
• Shared results widely

9. PLA Project Outcome:
“What Good Did We Do?”
Measuring 4 key
outcomes
• Knowledge
• Confidence
• Application
• Awareness
Across 7 library service
areas
• Civic / Community
Engagement
• Digital Learning
• Economic Development
• Education / Lifelong
Learning
• Early Childhood Literacy
• Job Skills
• Summer Reading
 Free to all libraries – including here
in Canada
 Consistent methodologies
 Results dashboard

10. Thank you.
Kimberly Silk, MLS
Principal, Brightsail Research & Consulting
kim@brightsail.com