The Returns to Public Library Investment

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Gilpin, Gregory; Karger, Ezra; Nencka, Peter
• 署名单位: Montana State University System; Montana State University Bozeman; Federal Reserve System - USA; Federal Reserve Bank - Chicago; University System of Ohio; Miami University
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-ECONOMIC POLICY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7731
• DOI: 10.1257/pol.20210300
• 发表日期: 2024
• 页码: 78-109
• 关键词: impacts; neighborhoods; CONSTRUCTION

摘要

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. ( JEL G31, H75, I21, L86 )