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It checks out — libraries are an "investment that's well worth it"

Marketplace senior economics contributor Chris Farrell discusses how these social institutions continue to give back to communities.
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In Denmark, long opening hours for unstaffed libraries

Apr 3, 2019
Almost half of Denmark's libraries are open 24 hours a day.
Almost half of Denmark's libraries are open 24 hours a day.
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The economics of presidential libraries

Feb 19, 2018
Thirteen presidents have libraries built in their names.

LA County libraries go fine-free for their younger readers

Jan 8, 2018
Officials say when young readers rack up fines, the likelihood they'll use their card again, or return to the library, diminishes.
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Things millennials love about the library

Aug 25, 2017
Millennials are making libraries cool again. A Pew Research Center study found that 53 percent of millennials in the U.S. had used their public library at least once in the year prior to the survey.
A library at a secondary school in London.
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Public libraries are now lending out ukuleles, neckties, and even telescopes

Aug 23, 2017
Libraries have started to lend out not just books and movies, but musical instruments and other paraphernalia for hobbies.
Library patrons in East Boston can check out gardening books and take seed packets home with them.
Daniel A. Gross/ for Marketplace

For public good, not for profit.

My Economy: Using grants to preserve moving image history

Apr 10, 2017
It’s Hannah Palin’s job to keep old films from decaying on the shelf.
"Kirks' Camera," 1976, opening sequence.
University of Washington Digital Collections

How do authors make money from library books?

Jul 25, 2016
Most of them aren't donations. Think of them as prepaid.
Stanford University's library.
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Dear Airbnb: Your ads failed.

Oct 22, 2015
Social media reaction has been swift.