The Zombie Stack Exchanges That Just Won't Die
There are costs associated with the closure of major libraries or archives. We often hear cost savings associated with a "budget cut" touted, but there are costs associated with closure, too.
Many costs of closure would extend beyond an common budgetary item. For example, the loss of cultural tourism revenues is an example of a reasonably quantifiable economic loss associated with a closure. Other, more intangible costs associated with closure would require quantifying the loss of transparency, access, etc.
GeneJ
This article is a good starting point - http://friendsofelmhurstlibrary.blogspot.com/2009/05/high-cost-of-closing-or-limiting.html. Per excellent suggestion, examples from post: -The average American pays \$20 a year in taxes to support public libraries and can save that much by borrowing instead of buying just one or two books. A book that is loaned ten times cuts not only cost but paper use per read by a factor of ten.” from Seven-Plus Wonders of Sustainability by Donella H. Meadows... -give at-risk kids a safe place like the low cost public library where they can play computer video games rather than being on the street dealing or taking drugs and ending up in a high-cost public facility like city jails or juvenile detention?... -many who cannot afford a computer at home come to the library to have access to job and educational resources... -finding books on home repairs and improvemen so properties continue to be kept up at a time when many can no longer afford to pay for home services like plumbing, minor repairs, cosmetic improvements, or other repairs that do not require a lot of skill to master and can be easily learned from a book... -unoccupied public buildings like libraries a prime target for vandalism and other crimes...The costs will not be in dollars and cents. It will greatly impact the morale and well-being of the community."