Correlations between the economy and public library use. Issue 1 (6th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Skelly, Lara; Stilwell, Christine; Underwood, Peter G.
• Editors: David Baker, Professor
• Is Part Of: Bottom line. Volume 28:Issue 1/2(2015)
• Page Start: 26
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2015-07-06
• Subjects: Economic development -- USA -- Public libraries -- Economic growth -- Correlations; Library finance -- Periodicals; Libraries -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; 025.11
• DOI: 10.1108/BL-12-2014-0032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0888-045X

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between different aspects of public library use with elements of economic growth and development. Design/methodology/approach: – Statistical correlations were performed to uncover statistically significant relationships. Findings: – Relationships are not uniform: strongly positive relationships exist between education and visits, circulation and library programmes, savings and visits and circulation and programmes, and a strongly negative relationship exists between health and circulation. Research limitations/implications: – Only one proxy variable for each of the economic development indicators was used, including the fact that others might have revealed other information. Social implications: – The revealed relationships should be kept in mind by librarians and policymakers as decisions to change library services that might trickle down to citizens through economic growth and development. Originality/value: – This paper brings together a variety of economic growth and development factors and several aspects of public library use in a single framework.