Value Calculator
Calculate the Value of Your Library Use
How much would the services of your public library cost if you had to pay for them directly? Use this simple calculator to estimate the value of your Library use.
- Enter in the left hand column the number of times per year you or your family use each service.
- Estimated retail value of each service will be calculated on the right.
- Total annual value of your Library use is shown at the bottom of the worksheet.
- Tip: Tab between entries and do not use commas.
How These Values Were Calculated
| Item | Estimated Retail Value |
Values Explained |
| Book borrowed | $15.00 | Estimated average discount cost of hardcover and paperback books |
| Audiobook borrowed | $40.00 | Estimated average purchase cost |
| eBook borrowed | $10.00 | Estimated average purchase cost |
| Movie borrowed | $4.00 | Sample rental cost of DVD at national chain store |
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| Music CD borrowed | $10.00 | Estimated purchase cost of popular music CD |
| Magazine read | $2.00 | Estimated purchase cost of popular magazine issue |
| Newspaper read | $0.50 | Estimated purchase cost of newspaper issue |
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| Museum Adventure Passes borrowed | $16.00 | Average admissions for groups of 2 to 4 to participating museums or Brookfield Zoo |
| Interlibrary Loan request | $25.00 | Average cost for loans in Illinois |
| Adult program or class attended | $10.00 | Estimate |
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| Teen program attended | $6.00 | Estimate |
| Children program attended | $6.00 | Estimate |
| Group Study Room use per hour | $10.00 | Estimate |
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| Computer use per hour | $12.00 | Sample hourly rate at copy center |
| Online Tool used | $20.00 | Minimum cost for monthly access to sample online tool |
| Information and Reference Question asked | $7.00 | Estimated cost per question |
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