1. THE TPL
ECONOMIC IMPACT
STUDY
Insights from Qualitative and Quantitative
Impact Measurements
Presented by
Kimberly Silk, MLS - Data Librarian, Martin Prosperity Institute,
Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Co-Author, “So Much More: The Economic Impact of Toronto Public Library on the City of
Toronto”

2. Agenda
1. Why the Study was Necessary
2. Key Findings & Messages
a. Economic Impact of TPL
b. Value of Library Membership
c. Value of an Open Hour
3. Why These Findings Matter
4. What We Learned

3. Message 1: The Economic Impact of TPL

4. Message 2: The Value of TPL Membership

5. Message 3: The Value of an Open Hour

6. Why These Findings Matter
• At the City Council meeting, January 15-17, 2013, Council passed a motion to
request that the Chief Librarian prepare a cost-benefit analysis of the Open Hours
Policy and the economic impact of Library services and provide a report to the
City Manager for review and report prior to the 2014 budget process.
• The 3 key findings addressed the information request from Toronto City Council.
• These findings provided the information councillors needed to make an informed
vote re: TPL proposed budget.
• Result: TPL’s 2014 budget request for a 1.4% increase over the 2013 budget
approved, including funding for for the first year operating costs of two new
branches, Fort York and Scarborough Civic Centre. It also includes funding for
increased open hours at seven district libraries and the Toronto Reference Library,
standardizing hours for all research and reference libraries and district branches to
69 hours per week, including Sundays. (Source: TPL news release)

7. What We Learned
• Collecting lots of data doesn’t mean you’re
collecting the useful data.
• Data collection must be directly linked to the
message / proof you need to deliver to
stakeholders.
• A data snapshot isn’t enough – data collection
strategy & analysis must be an ongoing process,
to provide ongoing evidence of economic
value.

8. Thank You for
Listening
Presented by
Kimberly Silk, MLS - Data Librarian, Martin Prosperity Institute,
Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Co-Author, “So Much More: The Economic Impact of Toronto Public Library
on the City of Toronto”
Kimberly.Silk@rotman.utoronto.ca