Library Use Value Calculator
What's your library worth to you?
Baxter Memorial Library offers a wealth of lifelong learning and entertainment resources to Gorham taxpayers at a very economical rate. Do you know how much you would pay out-of-pocket if you purchased your books, movies and other library services in stores? Use our calculator to find out!
- Enter in the left hand column the number of times per month you and your family use each service.
- The estimated retail value of each service will be calculated on the right.
- The total value of your library use is shown at the bottom of the worksheet.
- Tip: Tab between entries and do not use commas.
The calculator worksheet has been adapted from the Maine State Library's Library Use Value Calculator, which was adapted from a downloadable spreadsheet originally provided by the Massachusetts Library Association and then adapted for the web by Chelmsford Public Library. Maine State library added extra accessibility coding and reformatting for ease of reading online.
The Baxter Memorial Library staff, trustees and Friends work hard to provide you with stimulating, timely, useful and efficient services. If you value the role that your library plays in your community, please let your friends, neighbors and Town Council representatives know, and please consider supporting us.
Maine Values and Explanation for Library Use Value Calculator
This chart provides the background for the estimated retail values used for calculating the values, based initially on the calculator from Massachusetts Library Association. Some of the values are estimates and averages with revision to reflect local 2006 costs.
| Item | Estimated Retail Value | Values Explained |
| Book Borrowed | $20.00 | Estimated average cost between hardcovers & paperbacks |
| Magazine Borrowed | $5.00 | Estimated cost to purchase a popular periodical issue |
| Movie Borrowed | $4.00 | Average cost for movie rentals |
| Audiobook Borrowed | $30.00 | Estimated average cost |
| Museum Pass Borrowed (per person) | $10.00 | Admission price for one adult to the Portland Museum of Art |
| Magazine Use in Library | $5.00 | Estimated cost to purchase a popular periodical issue |
| Interlibrary Loan | $25.00 | Average cost for loans in Maine |
| Meeting Room Use per Hour | $50.00 | Estimated cost of meeting space rental |
| Adult Program Attended (per person) | $10.00 | Average ticket price for cultural and educational events in the Greater Portland area |
| Children's Programs Attended (per person) | $6.00 | Average admission price to Children's Museum and area movie theaters |
| Computer Use | $12.00 | Sample hourly rate at a copy center |
| Maine Newspaper Articles Viewed Online | $3.00 | Average cost to download an article from MaineToday.com |
| MARVEL! Database Use | $20.00 | Minimum cost for monthly access to sample online database |
| Reference Questions | $7.00 | Estimated cost per question |