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oai:figshare.com:article/34048042 2026-10-01T17:29:38Z category_24 category_272 category_39 category_734 category_69 category_106 portal_5 item_type_6 month_year_10_2026

<p>Appendix Voters Reveal Library Preference.</p> Margo Gustina (25157734) Robert P. Berrens (2616301) Evolutionary Biology Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified Ecology Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified Inorganic Chemistry Science Policy year level nationally year level estimations facility access overwhelm extreme heat events 2010 &# 8211 public voting support investigate local preferences shown public libraries public libraries voter preferences taken together results indicate quantitatively understanding loved institutions library system library building 982 ), <div><p>Qualitative research has shown public libraries to be well-loved institutions. But, as they are increasingly under attack in the US, quantitatively understanding the drivers of public voting support can help policy makers establish allocation priorities. Using novel voter response datasets (2010–2022) at the library system-year level nationally (N = 982), and at the precinct-year level within Washington state (N = 5,380), referendum modeling approaches are used to investigate local preferences for public libraries. Further, this study probes environmental condition effects on preferences. Results indicate that with precinct-year level estimations, voter preferences for facility access overwhelm other effects. Where a precinct contains a library building, the probability of a Yes vote increases 13%. Library support decreases 4% for every additional mile traveled to a location and is sensitive to extreme heat events. Taken together, the results demonstrate significant empirical support for libraries as critical infrastructure.</p></div> 2026-10-01T17:29:36Z Text Journal contribution 10.1371/journal.pone.0351352.s001 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/_p_Appendix_Voters_Reveal_Library_Preference_p_/34048042 CC BY 4.0