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Ohio’s Public Libraries ROI report

The Ohio Library Council recently conducted a statewide return on investment (ROI) study of Ohio’s public libraries and the economic benefit they provide to Ohio and its residents. The study shows that Ohio’s public libraries save Ohioans money and also directly benefit the state’s economy.

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Howard Fleeter & Associates, The Return on Investment of Ohio’s Public Libraries & A Comparison with Other States, prepared for the Ohio Library Council (August 2021).

View Executive Summary
by Economist Howard Fleeter

Key Findings

  • Ohio has the highest use per capita in the U.S.
  • Ohio has the highest percentage of registered borrowers.
  • Ohio’s public libraries provided $3.07 billion in direct economic value to Ohio residents.
  • For every dollar spent by Ohio’s public libraries, Ohioans receive $5 in economic value.