Library study shows big ROI

For every tax dollar spent last year to operate the Wimberley Village Library, patrons saw a return on that investment of $8, according to data released by Library Director Carolyn Manning.

The library district collects one-half of 1 percent on sales made within the district, the boundaries of which coincide with those of the school district. That amount was $682,246 last year.

Using a multiplier developed for librarians to calculate the value of their services, Manning figured that amount to be nearly $5.5 million.

For example, the library has computers with internet access that patrons can use free of charge. The value of that use, based on hours logged by patrons, amounted to more than $1.1 million, Manning said.

The value of the children’s books checked out 46,700 times was $1.4 million.

Had the library charged groups for use of the multi-purpose room, which is available free of charge, the value would have totaled $85,000.

The value of adult fiction and nonfiction books was placed at a total of almost $1 million.

“Few investments have this kind of return,” Manning said, “and we are very proud of the fact that we are able to offer services and products free of charge thanks to the sales tax revenue we receive.”

Free access to books and other materials, particularly via the internet, is fundamental to democracy, she said.

The sales tax that the library district levies has not changed since the district was formed by state law.

The total return, which has been rising over time, also reflects the upward swing in use of the library for programs for children, tweens, teens and adults and the rise in circulation of children’s books.

Faced with increased demand for services in a limited amount of space, trustees of the library district have purchased about 2.8 acres of land due north of the present building for an expansion of the facility.

A building committee, headed up by Trustee Aileen Edgington, has been meeting to plan the project and see it through completion.

And most recently, the trustees and support groups informally asked Hays County commissioners to issue certificates of obligation in the bond market to raise $2.25 million for the expansion. The library assumes that debt and will make payments on the bonds.

Commissioners are expected to receive a formal proposal within the next several weeks.