Librarian’s Corner

Libraries and the Economy

By Sabine Parish Library Director Jodi Cook

Public libraries are known for the thousands of books that fill their shelves, but what about the other activity that happens within those book-lined walls? What happens beyond the books?

Libraries are often hubs for economic growth. In fact, every step of the journey to and through a career can be seen on a random day in the local library, beginning with a student taking library-provided practice tests for their field of study. (Actually, one might say the true beginning is when a child pulls a book off the shelf that inspires what they want to be when they grow up.)

Amidst the regular book browsers and story time attendees, a quick snapshot of the library on a given day would capture a microcosm of economic activity. It might depict a man submitting job applications online from a public computer, a real estate agent signing papers in the meeting space with new homeowners, a remote professional conducting a video conference from her laptop on the Wi-Fi, a contractor scanning and emailing a bid, or an out-of-town businessman making quick copies before running to his next appointment. All of these examples are regular occurrences in the local public library. Research has shown that public libraries provide, at minimum, a 300-600% return-on-investment. However, if one could calculate the economic impact of business-related activity conducted within libraries, the ROI would be much higher.

Another important connection between libraries and local economies is the growth of a community’s citizens through increased literacy. According to the National Literacy Institute, 54% of adults have lower than sixth-grade level literacy, and low literacy costs the U.S. as much as $2.2 trillion annually. Within the low-literacy problem our nation faces, low-income families make up the majority. One study shows that only 20% of 4th-graders from low-income families could read at grade level, compared to 54% from high-income families. Public libraries help bridge the gap for low-income families by providing literacy resources they could not otherwise afford.

Libraries initiate programs from birth through adulthood to increase literacy rates. Locally, as one example, the Sabine Parish Library hosts the Summer Reading Program annually, which encourages children and adults to read and, in turn, fosters a love of reading. Children and adults receive reading logs to track their books, and they are incentivized to complete the reading log. For children and teens, this is combatting the current problem of less recreational reading among those age groups. Many adults find a refreshed enthusiasm for reading, along with finding community amongst other patrons. Librarians introduce individuals to books that pique their particular interests, with the knowledge that if a person encounters the right book, the love of reading will follow. As renowned author James Patterson said, “There’s no such thing as a kid who hates reading. There are kids who love reading, and kids who are reading the wrong books.” The same can be said for adults.

Literacy, however, is more than just being able to read, so libraries are intentional about doing more than just placing books into the hands of their patrons. Literacy also includes the ability to communicate, understand, and use print and language to function in society. Library programs like résumé workshops, financial classes, and technology training provide practical growth opportunities for adults to develop essential skills. Equally significant, programs like art classes, book clubs, and even social teas create something else vital to an individual’s growth: a sense of community. Functioning well in society requires the ability to interact and communicate well with neighbors and fellow citizens. When individuals find common ground and grow in their understanding of one another, they simultaneously grow in their love for their community and in their desire to see it flourish. Local libraries are the heart of that sense of community and belonging that transcends religious, political, racial, and socioeconomic boundaries.   

Between the thousands of volumes along the walls and the story time little ones darting through the picture books, there is a world of activity bustling within the library. Each day, it is consistently contributing to the local economy—one learned skill at a time, one business transaction at a time, one new relationship at a time, and one higher degree of literacy at a time. 

Published 4/29/26

Jodi Cook

Director

Sabine Parish Library

(318) 256-4150 

(318) 660-1132 (Office)