Return on Investment Study

A new statewide study conducted by JBK Economics Group on behalf of the Texas Library Association examines the economic impact of public library funding, services, and the broader contributions public libraries make to communities across Texas.

The report, Beyond the Stacks: Measuring the Economic and Community Value of Texas Public Libraries, demonstrates that public libraries are valuable community resources that serve as hubs for public services,  going well beyond promoting literacy and circulating books. It highlights that libraries are important and valuable to both small towns and big cities across the state of Texas and that libraries make significant economic contributions to the Texas economy.

Key Findings

• Every $1 spent by local libraries results in $4.74 of statewide economic activity.
• Public library expenditures directly and indirectly support 11,200 jobs in Texas.
• $808.6 million spent by public libraries in FY2024, including $717.0 million in operating expenditures and $91.6 million in capital expenditures.
• $1.35 billion in statewide economic activity produced by public library spending.
• $2.478 billion in total economic value of library services statewide.
• $3.829 billion in the total economic benefits from Texas’ public libraries in FY2024.
• $164 million in total fiscal (tax) impacts in FY2024 at the federal, state, and local level from the economic activity generated by library spending.

Full Report

Key Findings Summary