The Fort Frances Public Library is illustrating its economic benefit to the community.
A year-end report estimates the library helps generate $3.5 million for the local economy,
Chief Executive Officer Richard Bee says they base that in part on the materials borrowed that patrons would otherwise have to purchase.
“When you factor in some books may cost over $40 to buy brand new, that’s more money in that person’s pocket,” says Bee.
“They’re able to spend money on going to a dinner in town or going into a store in town to buy goods that way.”
Bee says people are also coming into the library to print out resumes and job applications in their efforts to join the local workforce.
Bee says the library offers benefits to the healthcare system.
“People being able to come into the library to just hang out or to meet with their friends. So there’s the mental wellness for people that generates second value because then you don’t have as much of a health cost associated with people being isolated or even just with the library being open and being able to serve as a cooling center when the really hot days or warming center, really cold days, that provides its own benefit right there.”
The library counted over 54,000 visits in 2023, with patrons accessing almost 50,000 items.
The town of Fort Frances contributed $771,000 in funding.
Bee says operations cost almost $227 an hour, with the economic benefit working out to $621.
On a per-capita basis, the return is almost $500 on the $83.92 contribution from the average property taxpayer.
“So they get a very substantial return on investment for just having the library in the location,” says Bee.
