When the Tax is Right
In truth, most people find the idea of taxes an unpleasant subject. Where does all the money go? What? Who? Why? Less tax. More Tax. In our current economic climate, accountability, transparency, and ‘value added’ benefits are especially important concerns. Well, there is good news to be had. The Wyoming Library Association has added a ‘Return on Investment Calculator‘ on its website. This nifty application lets library users calculate their individual monthly return on investment when they use the services of their local library. Hopefully the data provided offers proof that libraries truly are one of the best uses of tax payer funds. Below is my personal ‘ROI’ for services rendered by the Sweetwater County Library System.
| Your Use | Library Services | Value of Services |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | $435.00 | |
| 4 | $8.00 | |
| 26 | $104.00 | |
| 0 | $0 | |
| 5 | $10.00 | |
| 6 | $150.00 | |
| 0 | $0 | |
| 2 | $20.00 | |
| 0 | $0 | |
| 112 | $1344.00 | |
| 42 | $840.00 | |
| 0 | $0 |
| Value you receive monthly from your local public library: |
$2911.00 | |
For every $1.00 in taxes I invest in the library, I receive $729.42 of value in return.
Where did these numbers come from?
Typical taxpayer contributions are determined from the library”s 2007 local income per capita. We borrowed value of library service figures from Maine State Library”s Library Use Value Calculator. For more information, see their explanation. – www.wyla.org -
Try the calculator with your own ‘numbers’. I think you will be suprised at the results.
Special thanks to the Wyoming Library Association Web Team for their work.
