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The Returns to Public Library Investment

Author

Listed:
  • Gregory Gilpin
  • Ezra Karger
  • Peter Nencka

Abstract

Local governments spend over $12 billion annually funding the operation of 15,427 public libraries in the United States, yet we know little about their effects. We use data describing the near universe of public libraries to show that public library capital investment increases library visits, children's attendance at library events, and children's circulation by an average of 5–15 percent in the years following investment. Increases in library use translate into improved test scores in nearby school districts: a $200 or greater per student capital investment in local public libraries increases reading test scores by 0.01–0.04 standard deviations in subsequent years.

Suggested Citation

  • Gregory Gilpin & Ezra Karger & Peter Nencka, 2024. "The Returns to Public Library Investment," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 16(2), pages 78-109, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:16:y:2024:i:2:p:78-109
    DOI: 10.1257/pol.20210300
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Bigelow, Daniel P. & Kuethe, Todd, 2023. "The impact of preferential farmland taxation on local public finances," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    3. Amir B. Ferreira Neto & Jennifer Nowicki & Shishir Shakya, 2025. "Do public libraries help mitigate crime? Evidence from Kansas City, MO," Journal of Cultural Economics, Springer;The Association for Cultural Economics International, vol. 49(1), pages 141-161, March.
    4. Karger, Ezra, 2021. "The Long-Run Effect of Public Libraries on Children: Evidence from the Early 1900s," SocArXiv e8k7p, Center for Open Science.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software

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