The library circulates books, teaches sessions on research methods and citations, and answers all manner of reference questions (what is the Spanish equivalent of All Terrain Vehicle?). The library also seeks ways to add value to our shipmates.
We put out travel guides for the next port and create port maps showing what is within walking distance of the ship at each port. We assist faculty with keeping their academic folders current. We assist the registrar with publicizing updated syllabi. We help the dean of student life get the word out when schedules or events change. We cheerfully direct computer questions across the passage to the IT Lab :-).
So what is the value of the library? In my opinion the core operations of material management, delivery, and teaching are our value. We do add quite a bit of other value, though, because we are a helping profession. And it doesn’t hurt that we are staffed with overeager over-achievers