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Do public libraries impact local labor markets? Evidence from Appalachia

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  • B Ferreira Neto, Amir

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of public library programs and participation on unemployment and labor force participation in Appalachia. Appalachia is an economically distressed area, mostly rural, and with a sustained lower level of labor force participation and a higher level of unemployment. As public library programs can be countercyclical to labor market outcomes, I use public library staff and the amount of print resources and computers available as instruments. The results show that neither adult nor children’s programs and participation affect local labor market outcomes. These results are robust across different specifications. Spatial econometric estimates corroborate the main results and provide evidence of spatial spillover effects, especially for children’s programs.

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  • B Ferreira Neto, Amir, 2018. "Do public libraries impact local labor markets? Evidence from Appalachia," MPRA Paper 89584, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:89584
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Hanzl, Lisa, 2024. "The Role of Public Space: Libraries and Racial Inequality in Education," VfS Annual Conference 2024 (Berlin): Upcoming Labor Market Challenges 302387, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Local Labor Market; Labor Force Participation; Public Library; Unemployment; Appalachia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H40 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - General
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • L39 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Other
    • R59 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Other

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