How Much are Technical Services Worth?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5860/lrts.52n4.254Abstract
This paper reports on an application of the contingent valuation method in order to establish a dollar estimate of the value added to a collection by a library’s technical services. The overall benefit-cost ratio of the Wagga Wagga City Library, in New South Wales, Australia, was estimated to be 1.33:1, whereas the benefit-cost ratio of its technical services was found to be much higher, at 2.4:1, indicating the particular importance of this work. The use of stated preference techniques such as contingent valuation is discussed, with reference to library and technical service contexts.
References
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