Georgia Public Library Service
Georgia Public Library Service is the state library administrative agency coordinating 61 public library systems across all 159 Georgia counties, operating the PINES lending network connecting 300+ libraries with 11 million+ shared items, GALILEO virtual library, and GLS accessible services for 5 million cardholders statewide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Georgia Public Library Service does
Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) is the state library administrative agency of Georgia, operating as a unit of the Board of Regents within the University System of Georgia. GPLS coordinates and funds 61 public library systems across all 159 Georgia counties, serving approximately 5 million active cardholders who generated 45.9 million in-person and virtual visits and 36.2 million physical and digital checkouts in fiscal year 2025. The agency administers more than $45 million in state and federal Library Services and Technology Act grants each year and consolidates statewide procurement, E-Rate coordination, and continuing-education programs on behalf of the local library systems.
The core technology platform is PINES (Public Library Information Network for Electronic Services), a unified library-automation and lending network connecting more than 300 public libraries across 145-146 counties to a shared catalog of 11 million-plus physical and digital items that can be delivered to any PINES branch free of charge. Complementing PINES are GALILEO, Georgia's virtual library providing remote access to periodicals, journals, ebooks, and databases; eRead Kids with 40,000-45,000 children's titles; the PINES mobile app for iOS and Android; and Georgia Library Service (GLS), which provides braille, talking books, and large-print materials mailed free to patrons with visual or print disabilities. GPLS also layers on career and education resources (LearningExpress, Job & Career Accelerator, Google Career Certificates and AI training), genealogy databases (Ancestry, MyHeritage), tech lending (Chromebooks, hotspots, Launchpads), makerspaces, and an Experience Pass program covering more than 30 museums, theaters, and state-park partners.
Commercially, GPLS does not price its services: library cards are free to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Georgia, and all programs are free at the point of use. Revenue is sourced from state appropriations through the University System of Georgia, federal LSTA grants administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and private donations routed through the University System of Georgia Foundation. The distribution model is direct-to-consumer through 300+ physical branches plus self-serve digital channels (mobile app, GALILEO portal, PINES ecard), supported by community-led outreach through the Summer Reading Program (1.3 million children annually), 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, and the PINES Library Access for Youth (PLAY) program covering over 5 million Georgia students.
Georgia Public Library Service firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Georgia Public Library Service
- Legal name
- Georgia Public Library Service
- Website
- https://georgialibraries.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Georgia Public Library Service is the state library administrative agency coordinating 61 public library systems across all 159 Georgia counties, operating the PINES lending network connecting 300+ libraries with 11 million+ shared items, GALILEO virtual library, and GLS accessible services for 5 million cardholders statewide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Georgia Public Library Service industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
Keywords
Where Georgia Public Library Service is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Georgia Public Library Service business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- State Funding: Primary funding from Georgia state government through the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. GPLS administers these funds to support 61 library systems across all 159 counties.
- Federal LSTA Grants: Federal funding from the Library Services and Technology Act through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by GPLS for statewide library support.
- Private Donations: Financial donations from individuals and organizations through the University System of Georgia Foundation, supporting GPLS programs and services.
- Grant Administration: GPLS administers more than $45 million in state and federal grant funds to public library systems, supporting salaries, materials, facilities, and technology.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free library card for all Georgia residents |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels11 records
Georgia Public Library Service product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GPLS provides scalable library technology, staff training, and grant administration to support 61 public library systems across all 159 Georgia counties. It operates the PINES statewide lending network connecting 300+ libraries with 11 million+ shared materials, manages GALILEO (Georgia's virtual library) for online research and digital resources, and runs GLS accessible library services for blind and print-disabled patrons. The organization administers over $45 million annually in state and federal grants while coordinating statewide literacy programs, digital resource access, and cultural Experience Passes.
Product overview
Georgia Public Library Service operates a unified platform of public library services spanning 61 library systems across all 159 Georgia counties, serving 5 million+ library cardholders through physical and digital channels. The core infrastructure consists of PINES (Public Library Information Network for Electronic Services), a statewide lending network connecting 300+ libraries with access to 11 million+ materials, complemented by GALILEO, Georgia's virtual library providing online research databases. Supporting services include GLS (Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled) for accessibility, digital reading platforms (eRead Kids, PINES Mobile App), career and education resources (LearningExpress, Job & Career Accelerator, Google Career Certificates), language learning (Mango Languages), genealogy databases (Ancestry, MyHeritage), makerspaces, tech lending, and the Experience Passes program for cultural attractions. The organization coordinates youth literacy programs including Summer Reading and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, all unified under the mission to empower libraries and improve lives statewide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PINES: Georgia Library Public Information Network for Electronic Services - a lending network of more than 300 public libraries in 145 counties with access to 11 million materials.
- GALILEO
- GLS (Georgia Library Service)
Products and services
- PINES (Public Library Information Network for Electronic Services) Statewide library automation and lending network connecting more than 300 public libraries across 145+ counties in Georgia. PINES enables Georgians with a free library card to access a shared collection of over 11 million physical and digital materials deliverable to any participating library free of charge.
- GALILEO (Georgia Library Learning Online) Georgia's virtual library providing online access to thousands of periodicals, journals, ebooks, business directories, and government publications. Accessible to all Georgia public library patrons with a library card or PINES card from home or library, 24/7.
- Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (GLS) Statewide network providing braille, talking book, and large print library services for individuals unable to read standard print due to visual, physical, or reading disabilities. Serves through a central library, subregional library, and distribution center with materials mailed free of charge. Recognized as the 2026 Network Library of the Year.
- PINES Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android enabling patrons to track checked out materials, place holds, renew items, and search the statewide PINES catalog of millions of library materials from any device.
- eRead Kids Digital library collection for young readers in pre-K through fourth grade offering 40,000-45,000 ebooks and audiobooks in English and Spanish, including picture books, graphic novels, chapter books, and basic readers, available through all Georgia public libraries.
- Experience Passes Library card benefit program allowing Georgia patrons to check out free passes to museums, theatres, state parks, and cultural attractions across the state. Includes partnerships with Alliance Theatre, Georgia State Parks, Center for Puppetry Arts, Breman Museum, Chattahoochee Nature Center, Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory, and other organizations, providing over $1,100 in cultural value per family of four.
- Library Technology Lending (Chromebooks, Hotspots, Launchpads) Technology lending program enabling Georgia library patrons to borrow Chromebooks, mobile internet hotspots, and Launchpad interactive learning tablets preloaded with educational apps for children at participating libraries.
Quantifiable outcome
- Every $1 of funding to Georgia's public libraries produces $3.75 in value
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Georgia Public Library Service
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Georgia Public Library Service technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration26 records
Feature4 records
Georgia Public Library Service partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- GooglecoreGoogle Career Certificates and AI training program available free to Georgia public library cardholders. Builds essential job skills in high-growth fields including career advancement and business growth training.
- Alliance TheatrecoreExperience Pass partnership providing up to 2 admission tickets for designated performances at Alliance Theatre's Hertz Stage, Coca Cola Stage, and Goizueta Stage for Youth and Families.
- The Breman MuseumcoreExperience Pass providing 4 free admissions to the museum for general admission. Family pass valid for general admission only, not special events or exhibits.
- Center for Puppetry ArtscorePassport to Puppetry pass admits 4 people to World of Puppetry Museum OR 25% discount on All-Inclusive Ticket for performances.
- Chattahoochee Nature CentercoreFamily Pass providing 4 admissions to the Nature Center for general admission.
- Georgia State Parks & Historic SitescoreParkPass for free parking and Historic Site Family Pass for 2 free admissions to historic sites. Discovery Backpacks with binoculars and nature guides also available for checkout.
- Go Fish Education CentercoreFamily Pass allowing up to 4 free admissions to the Education Center.
- Macon MuseumscoreMacon Museum Pass admits up to 4 people to Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, Museum of Arts and Sciences, and Tubman Museum.
- Michael C. Carlos Museum at EmorycoreFamily Pass allowing up to 6 free admissions to the museum for general admission.
- Mimms Museum of Technology and ArtcoreLibrary Pass good for 4 admissions to the museum for general admission.
- Shakespeare TaverncoreFamily Theatre Pass allowing up to 2 free tickets to performances, with additional tickets available at $15 discount each.
- University of Georgia ExtensionminorRadon Kit Project partnership raising awareness for radon safety. Electronic radon monitors available for checkout at all Georgia public libraries for 14-day loan periods.
- Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)coreFederal funding through Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) supporting GPLS programs and services statewide.
- Get Georgia ReadingcoreCampaign partnering to rally people, organizations, and communities to apply a framework for action so all Georgia children become proficient readers by end of third grade.
- Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and LiteracycorePartnership with Georgia College and State University dedicated to advancing research in language and literacy practices throughout Georgia.
- Georgia Council on LiteracycoreCouncil ensuring implementation of science of reading instruction in every Georgia public school.
- Digital Library of GeorgiacoreOne-stop online access to archival and primary sources on Georgia history, culture, and life with over 1 million items from around the state.
- Friends of Georgia LibrariescoreStatewide organization of Friends of the Library groups volunteering time and resources to support local library initiatives in their communities.
- National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)coreFree national library program administered by Library of Congress providing braille and talking book materials. GLS serves as the state coordinator.
- GALILEOcoreGeorgia's virtual library providing online access to periodicals, journals, books, and databases. Accessible through all public libraries and remotely with library card.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Georgia Public Library Service competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Bibliotheca (Library Ideas): Adjacent technology vendor providing library self-service kiosks, RFID solutions, and digital content platforms (cloudLibrary) that compete for the same library technology budgets that GPLS allocates across Georgia's 61 library systems.
- Palace Project (Lyrasis): Digital library platform partner integrated with GPLS to deliver ebooks and audiobooks to Georgia library cardholders, representing the open-source alternative to OverDrive in the library digital content ecosystem.
- OverDrive (Libby): Digital content distribution partner and infrastructure provider used by GPLS to deliver ebooks and audiobooks through the Libby app, representing one of several digital library platforms integrated into the PINES ecosystem.
Direct peers
- New York State Library: Direct peer as a state library administrative unit providing statewide coordination, NOVELNY database consortium, talking book and braille library services, and grant administration across hundreds of public library systems.
- Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Direct peer as another state library administrative agency administering state and federal grants to public library systems, operating similar technology and lending infrastructure (TexShare) and accessibility services, serving all Texas residents free of charge.
- Florida Division of Library and Information Services: Direct peer as a state library agency administering LSTA grants, coordinating statewide library services, and operating programs including talking books for the blind and print disabled across Florida's public library systems.
- California State Library: Direct peer as a state library agency providing statewide services to public libraries, administering LSTA grants, operating accessible library services for blind/print disabled, and coordinating statewide programs for literacy and workforce development.
- Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK): Direct peer as a statewide library consortium providing a shared catalog, interlibrary lending, and digital resources to academic and public libraries across Ohio — comparable in scale and mission to Georgia's PINES network.
Broad incumbents
- OCLC: Broad incumbent as a nonprofit library cooperative providing shared technology services (WorldCat, ILLiad interlibrary loan, cataloging infrastructure) used by thousands of libraries including Georgia's PINES system for back-end interoperability.
- Library of Congress: Broad incumbent as the federal national library that administers the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), which coordinates with GPLS's GLS subregional library and provides braille and talking book materials nationwide.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Georgia Public Library Service social profiles
Digital presenceGeorgia Public Library Service financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Georgia Public Library Service leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Georgia Public Library Service funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Georgia Public Library Service M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Georgia Public Library Service
What does Georgia Public Library Service do?
GPLS provides scalable library technology, staff training, and grant administration to support 61 public library systems across all 159 Georgia counties. It operates the PINES statewide lending network connecting 300+ libraries with 11 million+ shared materials, manages GALILEO (Georgia's virtual library) for online research and digital resources, and runs GLS accessible library services for blind and print-disabled patrons. The organization administers over $45 million annually in state and federal grants while coordinating statewide literacy programs, digital resource access, and cultural Experience Passes.
Is Georgia Public Library Service a public or private company?
Georgia Public Library Service is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Georgia Public Library Service founded?
Georgia Public Library Service was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Georgia Public Library Service based?
Georgia Public Library Service is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does Georgia Public Library Service make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. State Funding is the primary driver. The others are federal LSTA Grants, private Donations and grant Administration.
Who are Georgia Public Library Service's main competitors?
Others on record are Bibliotheca (Library Ideas), Palace Project (Lyrasis) and OverDrive (Libby). Direct peers are New York State Library, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Florida Division of Library and Information Services, California State Library and Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK). Broad incumbents are OCLC and Library of Congress.
Does Georgia Public Library Service have an API?
No public API is recorded for Georgia Public Library Service.
What industry is Georgia Public Library Service in?
Georgia Public Library Service's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management, with a secondary code of EDAEAGAL, Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support). Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 8200.