It is by no means a simple thing to attach metrics to a feeling of belonging, to combatting loneliness, or to the enrichment of a mind. Yet we know that libraries do all of these things and more.

We asked ourselves: what if we could go beyond a traditional value-for money approach in assessing the value of libraries? What if we could value the impact the library has on the lives of people in our city?

We partnered with the Danish firm Seismonaut to adapt their methodology, called the Experience Impact Compass, to the North American library context. The methodology aims to centre individual experiences in understanding the impact of services.

This new approach helps us to collectively build a new language for describing the value of library services that moves beyond traditional statistical reporting and towards impact measurement - both for individuals and for communities as a whole.

The Experience Impact Compass methodology combines quantitative data and qualitative stories to provide an empirical, evidence based approach to measuring the value of library services. The study is the first of its kind in North America.
It assesses impact across the four dimensions of Emotional, Social, Intellectual and Creative Impact, and three parameters within each dimension.

Close to 2,800 library customers were engaged through a survey to rate the impact of their experiences with the library across these 12 parameters using a five-point scale of impact. The survey was tailored to TPL’s unique local context and five library service pillars (collections, spaces, programs, staff and technology). In addition, qualitative interviews and focus groups were conducted in branches across the city to contextualize the data.

The results in the report are displayed in a series of ‘impact compasses’ to easily visualize how different library activities impact users in different ways.

The report, called Enabling Torontonians to Grow and Thrive: Measuring the Social Impact of Toronto Public Library, shows that TPL has a very high impact across all four dimensions measured. The study found that the library is an incredible force to combat social isolation, is a place for people to better themselves, and helps to address inequality by providing people with resources that they would not be able to access anywhere else.

There has been broad interest in using the study to support fundraising and advocacy efforts, and results have been used to support budget submissions.

The study findings prove how vital the Library is to the city, and provides concrete evidence that demonstrates the need to continue to invest in library services at a time when social connection is more important than ever.