What do people really value about public libraries? It’s a question that goes well beyond books. From connection and learning to access and support, libraries play a much broader role in everyday life.

We recently partnered with Prescience Research to assess the community value of public libraries across New South Wales, contributing to the State Library of New South Wales “Balancing the books” report launched on 20 March 2026.

We sat down with SGS Principal and Partner Andrew McDougall, who led the work to unpack the findings.

What was the focus of the research?

Our research set out to identify, describe and estimate the value that public libraries generate for communities across New South Wales, including the State Library.

While there is strong qualitative evidence of the benefits libraries provide, this work aimed to bring that evidence together into a clear, transparent valuation framework grounded in contemporary best-practice methods. By combining these insights with robust quantitative estimates, the research provides a more complete picture of value, helping decision-makers make informed and confident decisions.

How did you approach the research?

We took a multi-method approach to build a comprehensive picture of the value libraries deliver.

First, we reviewed existing evidence from earlier studies. We then spoke with library staff and a cross-section of users from across the state to understand how and why people use libraries, and the benefits they experience.

This was complemented by a large-scale survey of New South Wales residents — both users and non-users — to quantify usage patterns, perceived benefits and impacts on wellbeing.

We also used choice modelling to estimate people’s willingness to pay for specific library services, helping quantify the value they place on what libraries provide. This fed into a cost benefit analysis, comparing the total value generated by public libraries with the cost of delivering them.

In a nutshell, what do the findings tell us?

A few things come through really clearly.

First, public libraries are heavily used and highly valuable. They provide a wide range of free services that communities increasingly rely on. From physical and digital collections to programs, staff support, and welcoming spaces for connecting, studying, and working.

Second, libraries make a real difference for people’s wellbeing. Whether it’s through programs, shared spaces or access to trusted information sources, library users report a clear and measurable improvement in their health and wellbeing compared to those who don’t engage with libraries.

Third, people place a tangible value on library services. Using choice modelling, we found that NSW adults are willing to pay an average of $87 per year for their local library service and $57 per year for the State Library, reflecting the State Library's broader reach across communities.

Finally, the benefits significantly outweigh the costs. Across New South Wales, public libraries deliver benefits valued at close to twice their cost to run, while the State Library delivers benefits around four times its cost. Together, these findings make a strong case for continued investment in library services.

Are there any unexpected findings?

A few things really stood out. They weren’t entirely unexpected — we’ve seen similar patterns in our jurisdictions, like Victoria — but they strongly enforce just how important libraries are.

First, people go to libraries for far more than books. Staff play a critical role in helping people navigate everyday challenges. From using new technologies to accessing services or finding reliable information. Just as importantly, libraries offer a welcoming space, and sometimes simply a place where people feel heard and supported.

Second, library use changes across the life course. We tend to see peaks in early childhood, during school and university years, and again in retirement. While those patterns hold, libraries are increasingly used more consistently as places to work, study and connect, reflecting their broader role in community life.

Third, even people who don’t actively use libraries still value them. Many recognise their importance to others in the community and expect they’ll return to using them at some point in the future.

One finding really worth calling out was the scale of the return on investment for the State Library of New South Wales, with benefits around four times the costs. That reflects its unique role, a significant cultural institution, a highly accessible city location, a diverse user base, and strong digital access — all of which contribute to its outsized impact.

How do the research results compare with previous studies of public libraries?

Our findings are broadly consistent with earlier studies. For example, our 2023 work on Victorian public libraries, which excluded the State Library of Victoria, showed similar patterns in usage, benefits, wellbeing outcomes, willingness to pay and overall cost benefit results.

Earlier studies we’ve undertaken across Victoria, Queensland and South Australia also pointed to strong returns from public libraries. In some cases, those returns appeared higher than what we’ve found in New South Wales. However, this largely reflects differences in methodology. Previous studies used approaches such as contingent valuation and estimates of the opportunity cost of time, whereas this research applies choice modelling, which provides a more robust and reliable estimate of value.

What’s your key takeaway from this research?

The key takeaway is simple: people value public libraries. They play an important role in supporting community wellbeing, while also delivering strong economic value for the investment made in them.

Explore more about this project here.