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Estimating Public Library Efficiency Using Stochastic Frontiers

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  • Jeffrey Andrew Hemmeter

    (Social Security Administration, Baltimore)

Abstract

This article uses public libraries to analyze public sector cost-efficiency. The growth of large bookstores and the Internet in recent years may have motivated libraries to behave in a more cost-efficient manner. Alternatively, monitoring of libraries may have decreased as patrons shift away from library use, increasing inefficiency. Using a stochastic cost frontier, the level of cost-inefficiency is estimated and analyzed. The results suggest that competition, regardless of the source, does not have a large effect on cost-efficiency. Local government spending decreases inefficiency in smaller libraries, consistent with the monitoring role governments can have on public spending.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeffrey Andrew Hemmeter, 2006. "Estimating Public Library Efficiency Using Stochastic Frontiers," Public Finance Review, , vol. 34(3), pages 328-348, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:pubfin:v:34:y:2006:i:3:p:328-348
    DOI: 10.1177/1091142105284844
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Amir B. Ferreira Neto & Joshua C. Hall, 2019. "Economies of scale and governance of library systems: evidence from West Virginia," Economics of Governance, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 237-253, September.
    3. Amir Borges Ferreira Neto, 2023. "Do public libraries impact local labour markets? Evidence from Appalachia," Spatial Economic Analysis, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(2), pages 216-238, April.
    4. Andrej Srakar & Eva Kodric-Dacic & Klemen Koman & Damjan Kavas, 2017. "Efficiency of Slovenian General Public Libraries: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach," ACEI Working Paper Series AWP-07-2017, Association for Cultural Economics International, revised Sep 2017.
    5. Alexander Ebertz & Mandy Kriese & Marcel Thum & Helke Seitz, 2008. "Bewertung von lokalen Standortfaktoren für Haushalte und Unternehmen in Sachsen: Entwicklung von Indikatoren zur Überprüfung der Demographietauglichkeit von Förderprojekten der Sächsischen Aufbaubank:," ifo Dresden Studien, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, number 46.
    6. De Witte, Kristof & Geys, Benny, 2013. "Citizen coproduction and efficient public good provision: Theory and evidence from local public libraries," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 224(3), pages 592-602.
    7. Witte, Kristof De & Geys, Benny, 2011. "Evaluating efficient public good provision: Theory and evidence from a generalised conditional efficiency model for public libraries," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(3), pages 319-327, May.
    8. Miriam Sebova, 2018. "Economic Efficiency of Cultural Institutions: The Case of Museums in Slovakia," Montenegrin Journal of Economics, Economic Laboratory for Transition Research (ELIT), vol. 14(4), pages 203-214.

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