I am the researcher on a project being carried out by Loughborough
University for the Library & Information Commission to investigate the
economic value of public libraries.
The project will look at the whole entity of public library services,
including fiction loans, practical information, local history collections,
etc. The benefit of this research will be to provide a better
understanding of the value of public library and information services in
economic terms - for policymakers to consider alongside political, cultural
and social factors. In particular there will be a new perspective on the
relative value of recreational versus educational values and on the
relative value of various types of information provided.
A widespread examination of available material has revealed some
interesting data, but there are some gaps which I am anxious to fill, and I
wonder if you can help.
One line I am interested in following is the value of libraries in
increasing footfall in shopping centres. One way of establishing this might
be to compare visitor figures in shopping centres and shops on days when
both the shops and the library are open with those on days when the shops
are open but the library is closed. If any of your libraries are closed on
some of the days when their shopping centre is open, please let me know
(i) name and address of library
(ii) name of shopping centre
(iii) a contact for the shopping centre management, if you have one
If you can help, please mail me at [log in to unmask]
Any help gratefully received.
Margaret Hawkins
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