Explanation and Values for Library Use Value Calculator Illinois State Library
The chart below provides estimated or average costs for library resources and services. An average between hardcover and paperback prices for adult and children’s books from online retailers was used to arrive at average prices for those categories.
Library Materials & Services
|
Estimated Retail Value
|
Based On
|
Books Borrowed
|
$17.00
|
Average cost of hardcover for adults
|
Paperback Books Borrowed
|
$ 7.00
|
Average cost of paperback for adults
|
Children's Books Borrowed
|
$12.00
|
Average cost of hardcover for children
|
Manga Borrowed
|
$10.00
|
Average cost of Manga
|
Anime Borrowed
|
$20.00
|
Average cost of Anime
|
DVDs/Blu-rays Borrowed
|
$19.95
|
Average cost of DVD/Blu-ray purchase
|
Music CDs Borrowed
|
$ 9.95
|
Average cost to purchase a CD
|
Music Download
|
$ 1.00
|
iTunes download song average
|
Audio Books Borrowed
|
$10.00
|
Audible.com download average
|
eBooks/Audio Books Downloaded
|
$15.00
|
Estimated B&N/Amazon average
|
Video Games Borrowed
|
$40.00
|
Video
|
Magazines Borrowed
|
$ 5.00
|
Average cost to purchase
|
Magazines/Newspaper Use in Library
|
$ 9.95
|
Average monthly subscription price of Chicago Tribune
|
Museum Passes
|
$20.00
|
Estimate
|
Interlibrary Loan Requests
|
$30.00
|
Average national cost for loans
|
Adult Programs Attended
|
$10.00
|
Estimate
|
Children's Programs Attended
|
$ 6.00
|
Estimate
|
Hours of Computer Use
|
$12.00
|
Sample hourly rate at internet cafes for people using their computers, not their own laptops
|
Reference Questions Asked
|
$15.00
|
Estimated cost per question
|