How much are public libraries worth to your community? This presentation examines the Return on Investment to the state of Florida from its public libraries, and the many useful online services provided through the Florda Electronic Library
1. The Brave New World of Electronic Resources Lesley Williams Head, Information Services Evanston Public Library [email_address]
2. Google: The “good enough” Search No Human Expertise Works best for finding specific items rather than broad subject Results easily manipulated: by advertising, “Googlebombers”
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6. Taxpayer Return on Investment in Florida Public Libraries Dr. José -Marie Griffiths October, 2004
12. Florida’s Public Libraries are Extensively Used — 94 million In Person and Remote Visits 68 million in-person visits 25.2 million remote Internet connections (not including children or tourists)
46. Online Products Used ReferenceUSA , from InfoUsa, Learning Express Library ProQuest Historical New York Times Thompson/Gale Biography Resource Center Thompson/Gale Business Resource Center Thompson/Gale Gale Virtual Reference Library Newsbank: America’s Obituaries and Death Notices Tumblebooks
Every taxpayer in Florida benefits from public libraries’ considerable contribution to education, the economy, tourism, retirement and the quality of life in their community. Florida’s Public Libraries Build Strong Economies: A Taxpayer Return on Investment Report (J anuary 2005) p.8. Overall, public libraries were rated more important for educational and work-related uses, but personal and recreational uses were ranked high as well. Taxpayer Return on Investment in Florida Public Libraries: Summary Report ( September 2004 ) p. 22.