The library prints out receipts to show which items are checked out. At the bottom of this receipt, the commercial monetary value of those items is displayed. The patron now knows the specific value they are receiving.
Frankly, it's a lovely solution and one I hope more libraries decide to use. But does it go far enough?
Patrons who already use the library already tend to know the value. They may not know the specific monetary value, but the clearly get "the good" they're receiving. What about those who never enter the library? How do we show the value of the libraries services and tools to people who never step foot inside or troll around on our websites?
This is the demographic we need to reach. This is the demographic we need to show our value to. But, as with all marketing, this is the hardest demographic to reach.
If anyone has any ideas of how to spread this message outside the library, my ears are open.
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