Yet another study has shown that public libraries pay back the money spent on them – many times over. For the first time this study, The Power of Prevention, uses the official ‘green book’ guidance on value for money used by the Treasury – the language of local and national government bean-counters. Difficult to dismiss.
Research for Libraries Connected looked at just three activities in 12 services in south east England, affecting a few hundred people. They were worth at least £1,746,000 per year, measured in NHS savings, productivity gains and the personal value placed on improved wellbeing. LC has a toolkit for local services to use, to prove their value.
Libraries Connected issued a press release here and there is a summary of the report here
