Value of Library Materials & Services
Estimated retail values, averages, and midpoints were used to calculate the cost of Library materials and services for use in the Library Use Value Calculator.
List of Estimated Library Materials & Services Values
The value of materials and services may vary from area to area. When different types of materials were included in a category an average was used.
| Item | Estimated Retail Value | Values Explained |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Media (books, magazines, blu-ray, etc.) | ||
| Book Purchases | $24.00 | Average cost to purchase any kind of book |
| Book on CD/Tape | $10.00 | Average cost to purchase an audiobook |
| Magazine/Newspaper Purchase | $5.00 | Average cost to purchase a periodical |
| Movie Rental | $3.00 | Average cost to rent a movie |
| Music CD Purchase | $10.00 | Average cost to purchase a music CD |
| Playaway or Tablet Book Purchase | $10.00 | Average cost to purchase a playaway or tablet book |
| Electronic Media (ebooks, streaming movies, music downloads, etc.) | ||
| eBook Download | $13.00 | Average cost to purchase an eBook download |
| eAudiobook Download | $21.00 | Average cost to purchase an eAudiobook download |
| eMagazine Download | $5.00 | Average cost to purchase an eMagazine download |
| eMovie Streaming | $4.00 | Average cost to purchase a streaming movie |
| eMusic Downloads | $1.00 | Average cost to purchase a music download |
| Reference Services | ||
| Use of Reference Materials | $107.00 | Average cost to purchase a reference book |
| Reference Questions & Assistance | $50.00 | Estimated cost per question |
| Database Searches | $10.00 | Estimated cost of article retrieval from a variety of sources |
| Computer & Technology Services | ||
| Computer Use | $29.00 | Estimated cost/hour at a copy center |
| Computer Training Classes | $25.00 | Estimated cost/hour to purhcase computer training in SW Ohio |
| WiFi Use per Session | $5.00 | Minimum purchase required for 1 visit for a customer at a popular restaurant to access Wi-Fi |
| Other Library Services | ||
| Meeting Room Use | $50.00 | Estimated cost/hour to rent a meeting room |
| Children's Program | $20.00 | Estimated cost per person to engage a magician, puppeteer, or similar entertainer |
| Young Adult Program | $15.00 | Estimated cost per person for entertainment programs |
| Adult Program | $25.00 | Estimated cost per person to engage an author, specialist, trainer, or other professionals |
Last Update: February 2021
