A Comparative Study of Public Library Funding in Northern and Southern Ontario: Exploring the Relationship between Population Size and Total Funding through Regression Analysis
Abstract: In this study, we explore the relationship between population size and total funding for public libraries in Northern and Southern Ontario. We employ regression analysis to examine the correlation between these variables and provide insights into the differences in public library funding between the two regions.
Total Funding: Based on the information provided in the dataset, the components that made up library funding include:
Municipal Funding: Financial support provided by the local municipality or municipality within the library's service area.
County Funding: Funding allocated by the county government to support library services.
Provincial Grants: Grants and funding provided by the provincial government.
Federal Grants: Grants and funding provided by the federal government.
Other Revenue: Additional sources of revenue generated by the library, such as fines, fees, donations, and fundraising activities.
It's important to note that the dataset may not include a breakdown of library funding into specific categories. The exact components of library funding may vary across different library systems and regions.
Introduction: Public libraries serve as essential resources for communities, providing access to information and knowledge. Their operations depend heavily on funding, which can vary based on several factors, including the size of the population they serve. In this study, we focus on Ontario, Canada's most populous province, and examine the relationship between population size and total funding for public libraries in Northern and Southern Ontario in 2021.
Methodology: We used publicly available data on Ontario's public libraries for the year 2021. The dataset includes information on library funding and the population served. We conducted regression analyses for Northern and Southern Ontario separately, with 'Resident Population' as the independent variable and 'Total Funding' as the dependent variable.
Results:
Northern Ontario: The regression analysis for Northern Ontario showed a strong positive correlation between population size and total funding. The slope of the regression line was approximately 54.80, and the intercept was approximately -12,676.77. The R-squared value was 0.987, indicating that about 98.7% of the variability in total funding could be explained by the population size.
Southern Ontario: The regression analysis for Southern Ontario also showed a positive correlation between population size and total funding, but the relationship was weaker than in Northern Ontario. The slope of the regression line was approximately 31.62, and the intercept was significantly higher, approximately 679,951.75. The R-squared value was 0.697, indicating that about 69.7% of the variability in total funding could be explained by the population size.
Discussion: Our findings suggest that in both Northern and Southern Ontario, larger population sizes are associated with higher levels of funding for public libraries. However, the relationship appears to be stronger in Northern Ontario. The significant intercept in Southern Ontario might suggest a baseline level of funding that is provided regardless of population size, or it might reflect other factors not included in this analysis.
The difference in the strengths of the relationships between population size and total funding in the two regions is indicated by the R-squared values and the slopes of the regression lines. The steeper slope for Northern Ontario implies that, for each additional resident, a library in Northern Ontario would generally receive more additional funding compared to a library in Southern Ontario. However, the higher intercept for Southern Ontario could mean that, in absolute terms, libraries in the South tend to receive more funding overall.
It's also important to note that these findings are based on a simple linear regression analysis, which may not capture all the complexities of library funding. Other factors, such as local government policies, socioeconomic conditions, and specific needs of the community, could also play a significant role in determining funding levels.
Conclusion: This study provides an overview of the relationship between population size and total funding in Northern and Southern Ontario. While both regions showed a positive correlation between these variables, the relationship was stronger in Northern Ontario. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that in terms of per capita funding, Northern Ontario might have an advantage, but in absolute terms, Southern Ontario tends to receive more funding. Further research is needed to understand the factors driving these differences and to inform policy decisions about library funding.
Future Directions: Further research is necessary to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors driving the observed disparities in public library funding between Northern and Southern Ontario. This could involve examining additional variables such as socioeconomic indicators, geographical factors, and local government policies. Moreover, a longitudinal analysis spanning multiple years would provide insights into funding trends and potential changes over time.
FIGURE 1 - Northern Ontario: Resident Population vs Total Funding
FIGURE 2 - Southern Ontario: Resident Population vs Total Funding
FIGURE 3 - Heat map Comparison of Results
The heatmap analysis reveals distinct differences between Northern and Southern Ontario in terms of public library funding:
Slope: The slope represents the rate of change in funding per resident. The heatmap demonstrates that the slope is higher in Northern Ontario, indicating that libraries in this region receive more additional funding for each additional resident compared to libraries in Southern Ontario.
Intercept: The intercept reflects the estimated funding level when the population size is zero. The heatmap displays a higher intercept value for Southern Ontario, suggesting that libraries in this region tend to receive a higher baseline level of funding, independent of population size.
R-squared: The R-squared value represents the proportion of the variance in total funding that can be explained by population size. The heatmap indicates a higher R-squared value for Northern Ontario, indicating that population size accounts for a larger proportion of the funding variability in this region compared to Southern Ontario.
Overall, the results of the heatmap analysis suggest notable disparities in public library funding between Northern and Southern Ontario. While both regions exhibit a positive correlation between population size and total funding, Northern Ontario demonstrates a stronger relationship. The higher slope in this region implies that libraries receive more additional funding per resident, reflecting a potentially higher funding allocation per capita. Conversely, the higher intercept in Southern Ontario suggests a higher baseline funding level, regardless of population size.
The variance in the R-squared values further supports these findings, indicating that population size explains a larger proportion of the funding variability in Northern Ontario. This suggests that funding decisions in Northern Ontario may be more closely tied to population needs and demands.