Public Opinion and the Funding of Public Libraries

THEIHEORYOF PUBLIC C H O I C E suggests that high levels of demand for public library senices and positive perceptions of the quality of those senices should be associated rviith higher levels of funding for the libraries. This investigation compared self-reported use of public libraries and public opinion about library senices with levels of per-capita library f h d i n g over time. The results showed a small relationship between self-reported use of libraries and levels of library funding. There was no relationship between public opinion about libraries and fLmding levels. These results prmide little support for the theory of public choice, and suggest that noneconomic factors may have greater impact on fiunding for libraries than economic factors.