Libraries – from the highly specialised research library to the small, entirely volunteer-run one – are an indispensable foundation of our knowledge and information society.

Public libraries are neither a luxury that can be done without nor a burden from the past that we carry around with us.

The value of a library is really beyond reckoning: as a place to learn, a treasure chamber, a family meeting point, an information centre, a room for concentration, a time machine and much more – see also We change your life.

On this page, though, you can work out roughly what a visit to us is worth to you.

Here is how it works:

• In the table on the left, enter how often you and your family have used our services today, this month or over the past twelve months.
• On the right, the estimated value of each service appears; the total appears at the end of the table.
• Tip: use the TAB key to jump from field to field, and do not use commas.

The library calculator was originally developed by the Massachusetts Library Association, adapted for use on the internet by the Chelmsford Public Library and further improved in its usefulness by the Maine State Library.

For use in Germany the calculator was adapted to local circumstances by the Bibliotheksportal. Please bear in mind that these are not statistically grounded calculations but rough guide values.

As at: 3 March 2017