1. Three key “hypotheses”. -- 2. Hypothesis 1: Economic impact. -- 3. Hypothesis 2: Place-based economic development. -- 4. Hypothesis 3: Benefit-cost and total economic value. -- 5. Libraries’ social and educational benefits. -- 6. Conclusion. -- 7. Improving the evidence base.

In February 2014, BOP was commissioned by Arts Council England to undertake a literature review on how public libraries and their services contribute to the economy. The aim of this review is to identify and review the available evidence at national level and provide Arts Council England and the wider libraries sector with a better understanding of how libraries create economic benefits.