collectionHQ
collectionHQ is a subscription SaaS platform that uses the proprietary EBSM methodology to help public and academic libraries analyze collection data and generate actionable plans for selecting, weeding, promoting, and transferring materials across 8,000+ library branches worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersGlasgow, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What collectionHQ does
collectionHQ, founded in Glasgow in 2008 and now headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland (with operating entity Bridgeall Libraries Ltd.), is a vertical SaaS platform that helps public and academic libraries select, manage, and promote their physical and digital collections using evidence-based analytics. Its core technology is the Evidence Based Stock Management (EBSM) methodology, refined over nearly thirty years, which ingests data from a library's Integrated Library System (ILS) and generates actionable plans for weeding, transfers, selection, promotion, and DEI assessment. The product portfolio spans the flagship collectionHQ platform, a lightweight cHQlite entry tier, cHQacademic for college and university libraries, the cHQselect selection tool, the DEI Analysis module, and the Recommended Actions feature that prescribes an action for every item in the collection.
The company operates a subscription-based, quote-priced SaaS model with annual billing, sold primarily through a direct enterprise sales motion supplemented by channel partnerships with open-source ILS providers (PTFS Europe, Equinox Open Library Initiative, ByWater Solutions), content and demographic partners (Ingram Library Services, Growing Libraries, PressReader), and industry-conference presence. collectionHQ is used in more than 8,000 public library branches across the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, managing over 220 million items for 500+ library systems, with named customers including the New York Public Library, Phoenix Public Library, Queens Public Library, Cuyahoga County Public Library, and Cornwall Library Services.
Following its 2011 acquisition by Baker & Taylor, collectionHQ expanded into DEI analysis (2021), academic libraries via cHQacademic (2024), and AI-assisted selection and recommendation features; in June 2025 it was acquired by Montreal-based Valsoft Corporation, a vertical-market software roll-up that retains the existing brand and leadership while positioning the asset for further product innovation and market expansion. The company employs 11-50 people and has won Platinum in LibraryWorks' Modern Library Awards for four consecutive years (2022-2025).
collectionHQ firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- collectionHQ
- Legal name
- collectionHQ Ltd.
- Website
- https://www.collectionhq.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- collectionHQ is a subscription SaaS platform that uses the proprietary EBSM methodology to help public and academic libraries analyze collection data and generate actionable plans for selecting, weeding, promoting, and transferring materials across 8,000+ library branches worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
collectionHQ industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Library Collection Management Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (513210), Libraries and Archives (51921)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Data Catalog & Metadata Management (HDAEADAC)
Keywords
Where collectionHQ is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glasgow
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
collectionHQ business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Subscription Licensing: collectionHQ operates as a subscription-based software service. Libraries subscribe to access the platform and receive action plans, analytics, and support. The product is sold directly through sales representatives and via partner channels.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise library subscription (quote-based) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
collectionHQ product offering
Product offeringCore offering
collectionHQ sells a subscription-based software platform that analyzes library Integrated Library System (ILS) data using the Evidence Based Stock Management (EBSM) methodology to deliver evidence-based action plans for selecting, managing, and promoting public and academic library collections. The platform provides item-level recommendations covering weeding, transfers, acquisitions, DEI analysis, and promotion, and is deployed across more than 8,000 public library branches managing 220+ million items.
Product overview
CollectionHQ is a library data analytics and collection management platform with a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core collectionHQ product provides evidence-based collection performance improvement for public libraries, while cHQlite offers a simplified entry point for smaller libraries. The company expanded into academic libraries with cHQacademic. Key add-on modules include DEI Analysis for diversity assessment, cHQselect for book selection, ESP for predictive selection planning, and Recommended Actions for item-level guidance. The platform is based on the proven Evidence Based Stock Management (EBSM) methodology and serves more than 8,000 public library branches worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- cHQselect: A selection tool that helps libraries confidently buy books by analyzing trends within their library system and individual branches to provide data-based recommendations of what to buy, why to buy it, and the number of copies needed.
- cHQlite
- cHQacademic
Products and services
- collectionHQ
- cHQlite
Quantifiable outcome
- Saves 156 staff days per year through use of Action Plans
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use collectionHQ
Customer profileNamed customers24 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
collectionHQ technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability4 records
Feature9 records
collectionHQ partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ingram Library ServicescoreThe Community-Driven Collections Program is a collaborative initiative bringing together collectionHQ's collection performance analytics, Ingram Library Services' content acquisition, and Growing Libraries' household-level demographic intelligence. Libraries can understand community demographics, compare with existing membership, identify gaps, and acquire targeted materials through Ingram's extensive content and curation services.
- Growing LibrariescorePartnership within the Community-Driven Collections Program. Growing Libraries provides Community Insight tools offering demographic intelligence at household level, identifying non-cardholding households and enabling high-precision targeting for library outreach campaigns. Their CI-Sync connector integrates with the library's ILS and community data sources.
- Partner Libraries ProgramminorCollaboration with several partner libraries to further develop the DEI Analysis software. Partner libraries include Bolton Libraries (UK), Indianapolis Public Library (USA), Medway Libraries (UK), Oak Park Public Library (USA), San Francisco Public Library (USA), and Te Ao Mārama – Tauranga City Libraries (NZ). They provide expert insights, classification data, and suggestions for enhancements to DEI topics.
- ByWater SolutionscorePartnership to help libraries manage collections efficiently and cost-effectively by combining data from their ILS with collectionHQ's powerful data analytics. ByWater Solutions integrates collectionHQ tools into the Koha acquisitions module to provide enriched and complete collections for each library's users.
- Equinox Open Library InitiativecorePartnership to help public libraries enhance collections with efficient and cost-effective solutions. Of particular benefit to libraries using Evergreen and Koha ILS supported by Equinox. collectionHQ's data analytics combined with Equinox's open-source ILS platforms enables streamlined collection management workflows.
- PTFS EuropecorePartnership to help public libraries in Europe save time and improve collections. Particularly beneficial for libraries using Library Management Systems (LMSs) supported by PTFS Europe. collectionHQ's technology integrates with PTFS Europe's web-based Koha LMS, combining stock management tools with efficient workflows for UK libraries.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
collectionHQ competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Demco: Long-standing supplier of library furniture, supplies, processing services, and software (including collection development and engagement tools). Adjacent to collectionHQ as an incumbent library vendor selling to the same procurement decision-makers and influencing software selection.
Direct peers
- ByWater Solutions: Leading provider of open-source Koha ILS and related library services in North America, and an active channel partner integrating collectionHQ into Koha. Comparable as a vendor selling into the same public and academic library market and directly influencing collectionHQ's distribution.
- PTFS Europe: European distributor and supporter of Koha and other open-source library systems, and a channel partner integrating collectionHQ's analytics with PTFS-supported ILS deployments. Comparable as a software and services vendor targeting the same UK and European public library customers.
Broad incumbents
- Ex Libris (Clarivate): Provides Alma, Primo, and other library management and discovery platforms to academic and research libraries worldwide. Comparable to collectionHQ as a technology vendor helping libraries manage and analyze collections at scale, with a heavier focus on academic and research institutions.
- SirsiDynix: Major provider of integrated library systems (Symphony, BLUEcloud) and analytics tools for public, academic, and special libraries. Directly comparable as a SaaS/enterprise software vendor serving public library systems with collection and circulation management.
- OCLC: The world's largest library cooperative, providing WorldCat, cataloging, resource sharing, and a range of library management and analytics services to public and academic libraries. Overlaps with collectionHQ on data-driven library services and serves many of the same customers globally.
- Innovative (Innovative Interfaces): Provides Sierra, Polaris, and Vega library services platforms used by public and academic libraries. Comparable to collectionHQ in targeting public library systems with software that supports collection development and analytics workflows.
- EBSCO Information Services: Large library services and research database provider offering discovery, collection development (including NoveList), and analytics tools for libraries. Comparable in addressing evidence-based collection decisions and serving the same public and academic library buyers.
Emerging players
- Bibliotheca: Provider of library self-service, RFID, security, and digital media solutions for public libraries. Adjacent rather than direct overlap with collectionHQ's analytics, but competes for the same library IT budget and is often evaluated alongside analytics tools.
- Equinox Open Library Initiative: Non-profit supporting the Evergreen and Koha open-source ILS communities. A channel partner for collectionHQ that also represents a potential competitive threat if open-source ILS initiatives expand into native analytics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
collectionHQ social profiles
Digital presencecollectionHQ compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
collectionHQ financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
collectionHQ leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
collectionHQ funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
collectionHQ 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 collectionHQ
What does collectionHQ do?
collectionHQ sells a subscription-based software platform that analyzes library Integrated Library System (ILS) data using the Evidence Based Stock Management (EBSM) methodology to deliver evidence-based action plans for selecting, managing, and promoting public and academic library collections. The platform provides item-level recommendations covering weeding, transfers, acquisitions, DEI analysis, and promotion, and is deployed across more than 8,000 public library branches managing 220+ million items.
Is collectionHQ a public or private company?
collectionHQ is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was collectionHQ founded?
collectionHQ was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is collectionHQ based?
collectionHQ is headquartered in Glasgow, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does collectionHQ make money?
One revenue line is on record: software Subscription Licensing.
Who are collectionHQ's main competitors?
Demco is listed as an others. Direct peers are ByWater Solutions and PTFS Europe. Broad incumbents are Ex Libris (Clarivate), SirsiDynix, OCLC, Innovative (Innovative Interfaces) and EBSCO Information Services. Emerging players are Bibliotheca and Equinox Open Library Initiative.
Does collectionHQ have an API?
No public API is recorded for collectionHQ.
What industry is collectionHQ in?
collectionHQ's product category is Library Collection Management Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAE, Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation), with a secondary code of HDAEADAC, Data Catalog & Metadata Management. Its NAICS code is 513210 and its SIC code is 7370.