Maine State Library: Library Use Value Calculator

Neat idea. But it is for a public library. I wonder if there is one for specialised libraries? It would certainly go somewhat towards my ability to make clear the ROI (in bean-counter speak) that employing a librarian is a worthwhile thing to do.

I think this is a different view of the world that I was not raised with. One does things because of their inherent closeness to an ideal of behaviour, so that when confronted with the concept of 'return on investment' something just doesn't make sense for much of what I do. Very confronting at times, and quite concerning as I try to make the cognitive shift to appreciate the different viewpoint without loosing the one I was raised with.