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.