This chart provides the background for costing out estimated retail values of library services (2006 costs).
| Item | Estimated Retail Value | Values Explained |
|---|---|---|
| Books borrowed | $60 | Average cost of academic book + circulation |
| Journals used in library | $20 | Average subscription cost for one issue |
| Reference questions asked | $7 | 15 mins of librarian's time earning $58K/year |
| Use of research consultation/assistance | $28 | 1 hr. average @ librarian's median salary of $58K |
| Database searches conducted | $7 | Median cost for single search in sample academic database |
| Electronic journal articles downloaded | $10 | 2005 Electronic Resource usage statistics: average cost per full-text document retrieved |
| Hours of computer use, e.g., Internet, MS Word | $12 | Hourly rate at Kinko's |
| Wireless access use per day | $15 | Wireless Access Points + maintenance + upkeep |
| Hours of ADA software/scanner used | $15 | Hourly rate at Kinko's + ADA services |
| DVDs borrowed | $4 | Sample rental at video store |
| A/V media stations used | $20 | Daily rental for VCR/DVD player at Blockbuster |
| Headsets used | $10 | Comparable cost on airlines is $5; library's are much better quality, so cost per use doubled for estimate |
| Books through interlibrary loan | $30 | $18 service cost + $7 FedEx shipping + $5 labor plus originating library's cost |
| Articles through document delivery | $15 | 2004 ARL survey |
| Meeting room use per hour | $50 | Hourly rate at Kinko's |