Evaluating Equity in Service Delivery in Library Branches

:Equity in the delivery of urban services traditionally has been evaluated by considering the quantities of the service provided to residents of different neighborhoods within the city. For services provided at specific locations, such as branch libraries, such an approach fails to incorporate the importance of travel to the facilities and the value placed on accessibility to them. This study examines service provision by 21 branch libraries in Indianapolis using input and output measures. The study evaluates the quantities of library services provided as well as the accessibility of neighborhood residents to them. The findings show clear tradeoffs between quantity and accessibility with different packages of benefits to residents in different parts of the city.