Midwest Tape

What Midwest Tape does

Midwest Tape, LLC is a privately held, family-owned media distribution company founded in 1989 and headquartered at 1417 Timberwolf Drive in Holland, Ohio. The company operates exclusively in the public-library vertical across the United States and Canada, providing physical media (DVDs, Blu-ray discs, music CDs, audiobooks on CD, and Playaway formats) alongside the hoopla Digital subsidiary platform that delivers eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, music, and instructional video to library patrons via web and mobile. Under president Sean McManus and with VP of Digital Acquisitions Catherine Zappa overseeing the digital pipeline, Midwest Tape describes itself as 'the leading library distributor for physical media' after 30+ years of exclusive library focus.

The company's core technology is the hoopla Digital platform combined with deep ILS integration tooling. Midwest Tape maintains native ordering integrations with every major Integrated Library System — Polaris, Sierra, Symphony, CARL.X, Koha, Evergreen, and Horizon — through both free EDI (EDIFACT/X12) electronic ordering and free 9XX order record programming that auto-populates fund, location, collection, and pricing data into library vendor records. Physical-media fulfillment is supported by value-added processing services (shelf-ready digital processing, security packaging, branch-specific delivery) and curated selection services (myCARTS, Opening Day Collections, Complete Collections Development). The company holds registered trademarks on both the Midwest Tape® and hoopla® brands.

Midwest Tape generates revenue through three streams: one-time physical media sales to libraries at contract-negotiated pricing, recurring subscription fees from libraries for hoopla Digital platform access (through which patrons borrow content 24/7 with a valid library card), and professional services for processing, security packaging, branch-specific delivery, and custom collection curation. Go-to-market is sales-led and B2B-only: libraries register as partner accounts, order via direct web, EDI, or 9XX-integrated vendor records, and are supported by dedicated specialists, phone/email customer service, and free marketing resources via the Midwest Tape Resource Center. The company is bootstrapped (no disclosed funding rounds, no institutional investors, no parent company) and operates in compliance with CCPA, GDPR, and PIPEDA privacy regimes for its U.S. and Canadian customer base.

Name

Midwest Tape

Legal name

Midwest Tape, LLC

Website

https://midwesttape.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Midwest Tape is a family-owned, Holland, Ohio-based media distributor serving public libraries exclusively across the U.S. and Canada with physical media (DVDs, Blu-ray, audiobooks) and the hoopla Digital platform, integrated via EDI and 9XX ordering with all major library systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Library Media Distribution

NAICS

Record Production and Distribution (51225), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)

akta.pro primary industry

Library & Education Audiobook Distribution (Public Libraries, Schools, Academic) (MPAJAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Physical Audiobook Publishing & Distribution (CD/MP3 Media, Packaging, Fulfillment) (MPAJAIAJ), Audiobook Retail & Subscription Platforms (Direct-to-Consumer) (MPAJAIAD)

Keywords

• Library media distribution
• Digital library content
• Physical media wholesale
• Audiobook distribution
• Integrated library systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Holland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Physical Media Distribution to Libraries: Sale of physical media (DVDs, Blu-ray, audiobooks, music CDs) to public libraries. Libraries purchase titles via web ordering, EDI, or 9XX-integrated order records. Revenue is generated through product sales, likely at library cost pricing, with optional shelf-ready processing services.
2. hoopla Digital Platform Licensing: hoopla Digital allows library patrons to borrow digital content (eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, music) 24/7 with a valid library card. Libraries pay for access to the hoopla platform, and patrons can stream or download content via the hoopla mobile app or web interface.
3. Processing and Workflow Services: Value-added services including digital processing, security packaging, branch-specific delivery, and customized vendor records for ILS systems. These services are bundled with product fulfillment to deliver shelf-ready content customized to each library's specifications.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Midwest Tape is a full-service media distributor for public libraries, supplying physical media (DVDs, Blu-ray discs, music CDs, audiobooks on CD, and Playaway formats) and licensing the hoopla Digital platform for streaming and downloading eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, and music to library patrons. The company integrates with major Integrated Library Systems (Polaris, Sierra, Symphony, CARL.X, Koha, Evergreen) via free EDI (EDIFACT/X12) electronic ordering and custom 9XX order record programming, and delivers shelf-ready content with optional security packaging and branch-specific delivery.

Product overview

Midwest Tape operates as a dual-track media distribution company serving public libraries exclusively. The company offers physical media distribution (DVDs, Blu-rays, music CDs, audiobooks, Playaway formats) alongside its hoopla Digital platform for digital content (eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, music). These core offerings are supported by integration services including 9XX Ordering and EDI Ordering that connect with major Integrated Library Systems (Polaris, Sierra, Symphony, CARL.X, Koha, Evergreen) via EDIFACT/X12 formats. Additional services include processing (Digital Processing, Security Packaging, Branch-Specific Delivery) and selection support (myCARTS, Opening Day Collections, Complete Collections Development). The company also curates specialized product lines including The Great Courses, VidieGoGo, and Binge Boxes, and provides a Resource Center with free marketing materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• hoopla: Digital services brand and platform allowing people to read, listen to, and watch content when and where they want, offering eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, music, and more 24/7 with a valid library card.

Products and services

• Midwest Tape Physical Media Distribution Distribution of physical media including DVDs, Blu-ray discs, music CDs, audiobooks on CD, and Playaway video/audio formats to public libraries across the U.S. and Canada. Libraries order through web-based carts, EDI, or 9XX-integrated order records, with optional shelf-ready processing and branch-specific delivery.
• hoopla Digital

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ years of serving libraries exclusively with a library-first mission

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Major Studios, Record Labels, and PublisherscoreTechnology or IntegrationMidwest Tape works with virtually all of the major studios, record labels, and publishers to provide custom selection support to libraries across the U.S. and Canada. This enables Midwest Tape to offer one of the broadest physical media catalogs in the library distribution space and to power the hoopla Digital platform with licensed digital content.
• Integrated Library System (ILS) VendorscoreTechnology or IntegrationMidwest Tape maintains deep integration with major ILS platforms including Polaris (by Equinox), Sierra/Millennium (by Innovative Interfaces), Symphony (by SirsiDynix), CARL.X, Koha, Evergreen, and Horizon (by Horizon Information Systems). These integrations enable free EDI ordering, 9XX order record programming, and seamless data exchange between Midwest Tape's ordering system and library management systems.
• Public Libraries (North America)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMidwest Tape serves public libraries exclusively as its customer base. Libraries across the U.S. and Canada partner with Midwest Tape for physical media distribution, hoopla Digital access, and processing/workflow services. Libraries register for accounts, and their patrons gain access to hoopla's digital catalog 24/7.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• OverDrive: OverDrive operates the Libby app, the dominant digital library lending platform for eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines to public and school libraries. It is Midwest Tape's most direct competitor in the library digital distribution space, particularly for hoopla Digital.
• Odilo: Odilo operates a digital library platform providing eBooks, audiobooks, video, and learning content to public libraries and schools globally. It competes directly with hoopla Digital in the multi-format library streaming category.
• Kanopy: Kanopy provides on-demand video streaming to public and academic libraries via a per-patron licensing model. It directly competes with hoopla's movie and TV streaming offering for library budget allocations.
• Recorded Books (RBmedia): Recorded Books (now part of RBmedia) is a leading publisher and distributor of audiobooks to public libraries, offering both physical audiobook CDs and digital lending through its proprietary platforms — directly overlapping Midwest Tape's audiobook distribution business.
• Bibliotheca: Bibliotheca provides library technology and media services including physical audiobook distribution, RFID, and self-service solutions to public libraries worldwide. It overlaps with Midwest Tape's physical audiobook and media distribution business.
• Palace Marketplace: Palace Marketplace is an eBook and audiobook lending platform purpose-built for public libraries, offering acquisition, curation, and patron access. It is a direct competitor to hoopla in the digital library lending space.

Emerging players

• Tantor Audio: Tantor Audio is an audiobook publisher and distributor producing titles for the library and consumer markets. It serves as both a supplier to library distributors like Midwest Tape and a competing audiobook source for library collections.

Broad incumbents

• Findaway (Spotify Audiobooks): Findaway, acquired by Spotify, distributes audiobooks and provides digital audiobook infrastructure to libraries and publishers. It competes with Midwest Tape in library audiobook distribution and digital lending partnerships.
• Baker & Taylor: Baker & Taylor is one of the largest distributors of physical and digital media to libraries worldwide, operating the Axis 360 digital platform. It competes with Midwest Tape across both physical distribution and library digital lending.
• Ingram Content Group: Ingram distributes print books, audiobooks, and digital content to libraries and retailers, with library-focused services through Ingram Library Services. It is a broad incumbent in library content distribution with overlapping audiobook and digital offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/midwesttape
• Facebookfacebook.com/midwesttapes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/midwest-tape-llc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Midwest Tape