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TNS Infratest Business Intelligence conducted an online survey amongst customers of the German National Library of Science and Technology (TIB, Hannover), Germany. The overall aim of this article is to show how to determine the library’s benefits expressed in monetary terms, both for the individual and for Germany as a center of scientific activity. For the first time, the so-called “contingent valuation” methodology was applied to a large scientific library in Germany. The case study shows the particular advantages and disadvantages of the methodology. It explains how monetary measurements of value can be expressed in terms of willingness to pay or willingness to accept compensation. This methodology can also be applied to public libraries, public or company internal information centers, or any other non-profit organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]