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Beyond the Library Card: Making the Value of Libraries Visible


Originally published October 2026




Every September, a familiar rhythm returns: a new state fiscal year begins, the school year hits its stride, and libraries nationwide celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month. It’s a time to invite people of all ages to get a free library card and discover the wealth of resources, services, and opportunities waiting for them.

You can practically hear the satisfying thwip of a library card sliding across the checkout desk, feel the heft of a stack of books tucked under an arm, and smell the pages of a fresh-from-the-library read. But what does a library card really get you? What’s the true value of a library?

A new statewide public opinion poll conducted by KRC Research on behalf of the Texas Library Association (TLA) confirms that Texans overwhelmingly value public libraries as essential public services. Nearly all respondents (95%) agree that public libraries play a vital role in providing free and fair access to information, promoting literacy, and supporting workforce readiness. Nine in ten (90%) believe libraries should be treated as essential public services, placing them alongside other critical community infrastructure.




Respondents also expressed strong confidence in public librarians: 89% trust librarians to select materials that reflect their communities’ needs and interests, while 92% agree that library collections should meet local informational, educational, and cultural needs.

Explore more highlights, resources, and a link to download the full report on TLA’s The Value of Texas Libraries webpage.

Similarly, TLA’s new Return on Investment (ROI) Study provides data to help further show the value of libraries. According to the study:
  • For every $1 invested in public libraries, there is a $4.74 return on investment.
  • Public libraries generate $3.8 billion in economic benefits statewide.
  • $2.5 billion in direct economic benefits from library services, including computer and internet access, job search support, programming, print and digital material circulation, and databases.
  • More than 11,000 jobs supported, directly and indirectly, by public libraries.


Picture this… In preparation for an upcoming city council meeting where the library’s budget is on the agenda, you’ve reviewed the city’s current strategic plan. The plan identifies several areas of particular interest, including infrastructure, economic development, and quality of life. Recognizing that the library is already supporting these priorities, you develop a report that highlights those connections and, wherever possible, attaches a dollar amount or other measurable outcome to that work.

For example, because reliable infrastructure is a city priority, you highlight the library’s role in providing public-access computers, Wi-Fi, technology help, and other digital access services, along with usage statistics from the most recent annual report. Similarly, workforce development activities are positioned as supporting the city’s goal of promoting economic development. Programming and services related to local history, cultural heritage, intergenerational engagement, environmental education, and early childhood literacy are likewise connected to quality of life.

By framing the library’s value in terms of the outcomes that matter to decision-makers, you make visible the many ways the library is already contributing to the community’s broader goals—and make a stronger case for the return on that investment.



So, when asked, “What does a library card really get you?”

Broadband connection,
Resume help,
Walking tour of historic downtown: $0.

Economic growth, stronger communities, and a greater return on taxpayer investment? Priceless.


***

Ready to put your library’s data to work? Start by exploring the “Tips and Tools” documents on TSLAC’s Annual Report webpage, or take a deeper dive into key topics with the slide decks Financial Sections of the Annual Report, Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Explained, and Program Reporting Explained. Then, start treating those statistics as one of your strongest tools for library advocacy.


Need a thought partner as you strategize how to best use your annual report data when talking with key stakeholders? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Accreditation team at accreditation@tsl.texas.gov.

Looking to strengthen your data management and reporting skills? Contact Data and Project Coordinator Promise Madu through his bookings page.


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