@unchartedworlds@scicomm.xyz
Researchers estimate the wonder of in financial terms!
"Libraries in England generate at least £3.4bn in value a year through services supporting children’s literacy, digital inclusion and health, a study has found.
"Researchers at the University of East Anglia discovered that the services that a typical branch provides in a year are worth £1m, and that libraries’ value could equate to six times their running costs."
The Guardian
Study finds English libraries generate at least £3.4bn in yearly valueResearchers hope their report will change the way local and national governments invest in community services
Nottingham nearly lost 3 of its local libraries last year: the council proposed to close them to make its budget balance. A grassroots "Save Our Libraries" campaign protested about it (respect to the organisers!), & the council reversed the plan.
So I can really see the value of this research, & I hope it'll help with keeping libraries open in future!
(Not that I _don't_ blame the council for the foolish idea, but I more so blame the government for politics-driven cuts to council funding)
@unchartedworlds @MrPDaniel We truly have become homo economicus. If there isn’t an economic model for something, people start to question it’s existence.
This is in many ways sad, but as we become more and more dependent on computing it is also likely unavoidable.
We need therefore to put much more effort in what the have discovered.
Don’t fear the economist, don’t judge those that balance sheets. Make it about wellbeing and planetary health!
