Measuring What Matters: Comparing Costs and Performance of Municipal Libraries and Library Districts

ABSTRACT

This study examines public municipal libraries and public library districts at the local government level in the U.S. and specifically Illinois, the state with the most units of local government and public library districts in the country. This study contributes to the study of public libraries by providing a comparison between district and municipal libraries. Based on a national survey of public libraries and interviews with public library staff, we found that, on average, special district libraries received more financial input, provided more programs and services, and generated higher service output than their municipal counterparts. However, the differences between these two types of libraries may vary by states. Using Illinois as an example, district libraries may receive less revenue than municipal libraries. District libraries in Illinois also provided fewer services and programs and generated less service output than municipal libraries.

KEYWORDS:

• Library districts
• municipal public libraries
• library finance
• performance measurement

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Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Most recent available (2019).

2. Libraries in Illinois are governed by the Illinois Local Library Act (1965) and the Illinois Public Library District Act (1991). Municipalities establish local libraries under the Illinois Municipal Code (1961). The Local Library Act dictates how libraries are to be funded from public tax dollars, with special distinction between cities below or above 500,000 residents. The Illinois Constitution (1970) established the basic framework for local governments and the Illinois Compiled Statutes grants the actual authorization for creating and organizing local governments. Library districts in Illinois are governed by seven-member boards of trustees and may levy property taxes and issue bonds. All library districts must be approved by referendum. Library district trustees are elected unless a referendum is approved authorizing an appointment process by the governing body of the county (Illinois Commission on Intergovernmental Cooperation 2003).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alicia Schatteman

Alicia Schatteman is an Associate Professor at Northern Illinois University. She received her Ph.D. in public administration from the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers University-Newark. Her research interests include philanthropy of public organizations, nonprofit strategic planning, nonprofit finance, and performance measurement.

Li-Yin Liu

Li-Yin Liu is an Assistant Professor at Dayton University. She received her B.A. in Public Management and Policy and MPA from Tunghai University in Taiwan and her Ph.D. in Political Science from Northern Illinois University. Her research interests include environmental sustainability policy and social policy.