eiNetwork

What eiNetwork does

Electronic Information Network (eiNetwork) is a Pittsburgh-based non-profit consortium founded in 2002 that delivers centralized shared technology services to all 46 independent public libraries across Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, operating alongside its two corporate members, the Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA) and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP). Its core infrastructure consists of an enterprise-class 10 Gigabit fiber wide-area network with dedicated 10 Gb circuits to each library location and up to 15 Gbps of general internet/Internet2 connectivity; Microsoft 365 administration (email, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams) hardened with Microsoft 365 Defender for cybersecurity; Sierra, Innovative Interfaces' cloud-based integrated library system and Discovery Layer serving as the shared catalog for 3+ million physical and digital materials; public Wi-Fi and eduroam access; and a centralized PC procurement and three-year equipment refresh program that replaced approximately 2,500 computers across 75+ locations in 2024.

eiNetwork's business model is that of a publicly-funded shared services organization rather than a commercial enterprise. It does not charge patrons directly; all patron-facing digital resources (Libby/OverDrive, Hoopla, Tutor.com, Gale, EBSCO, Mango Languages, Creativebug, RAD Pass cultural tickets, Britannica School, and Shoutbomb SMS notifications) are free to Allegheny County library cardholders. Operating capital comes from three streams: capital and project grants from the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD), recurring contributions from its two corporate members (ACLA and CLP), and state-level funding via POWER Library backed by federal LSTA grants through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Pricing to member libraries is not publicly disclosed.

The go-to-market is a sales-led B2B consortium model with a near-monopoly position within its county footprint. eiNetwork sits between technology vendors (Microsoft, Innovative Interfaces, BiblioCommons, OverDrive, Hoopla, Capira, Shoutbomb) and 46 individual libraries, providing a unified service desk, standardized infrastructure, and pooled procurement that none of the libraries could replicate independently. Patron acquisition is driven by free self-serve library card registration, the BiblioCommons catalog, the Capira mobile app, content marketing through the eLibrary blog, and partner amplification via ACLA, CLP, and POWER Library.

Name

eiNetwork

Legal name

Electronic Information Network (eiNetwork)

Website

https://einetwork.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

eiNetwork is a Pittsburgh-based non-profit consortium that provides shared enterprise technology services—including a 10 Gb fiber WAN, Microsoft 365 administration, Sierra ILS hosting, and three-year PC refresh cycles—to the 46 independent public libraries of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, alongside its two corporate members, ACLA and CLP.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Library Technology Services

NAICS

Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (519), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Academic & Research Library Operations (College/University Libraries) (EDAEAGAB), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library/Media Center & Digital Resource Management Systems (EDAJAMAN)

Keywords

• Library technology services
• Shared network infrastructure
• Public library consortium
• Enterprise IT services
• Digital library resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Regional Asset District (RAD) Grant Funding: eiNetwork receives direct public funding from the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD), including a $3.1 million grant that funded the 2024 PC refresh across 75+ library locations. RAD is a primary capital funding partner for technology infrastructure projects.
2. Corporate Member Funding (ACLA and CLP): As part of the Allegheny County library consortium, eiNetwork is supported by its two corporate members: the Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA) and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP). Funding is derived from participating libraries' budgets.
3. State Library Funding / LSTA Grants: eiNetwork benefits from state-funded digital resources via POWER Library, which is made possible in part by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, and through Library Access Funds administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Pennsylvania Department of Education.
4. Free Patron-Facing Digital Services (Library-Funded): eiNetwork provides free access to digital resources (e.g., Hoopla, Libby, Tutor.com, Gale, EBSCO, Mango Languages, Creativebug, RAD Pass) to Allegheny County library cardholders. These services are funded through library budgets, state funding, and RAD; eiNetwork does not charge patrons directly.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

eiNetwork provides shared enterprise-class technology services to the 46 independent public libraries in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, operating a 10 Gigabit fiber WAN, administering Microsoft 365 and Sierra library systems, and managing a centralized PC procurement and three-year refresh program. It also extends patron-facing digital resources (eBooks, streaming, databases, tutoring, language learning, cultural passes) to library cardholders free of charge, consolidated under a single shared library card and catalog.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Allegheny County Libraries (mobile app / Capira): The Capira Mobile App branded for Allegheny County Libraries, providing quick access to library accounts, catalog search, and storage of library card numbers; distributed under the Capira platform.
• eLibrary (eResources for Allegheny County Public Libraries)
• Allegheny County eBook Collection

Products and services

• Enterprise-Class 10 Gigabit Fiber Network Services Enterprise-class 10 Gb fiber WAN connecting each of the 46 independent public libraries in Allegheny County, plus Internet2 and eduroam access, public Wi-Fi, and day-to-day network monitoring and management. For use by member public libraries and their patrons.
• PC Procurement and Three-Year Equipment Refresh Program Centralized PC procurement, deployment, and replacement of patron/staff desktop PCs and laptops on a regular three-year refresh cycle to keep all library computers within useful life. For use by member public libraries.
• Microsoft 365 Administration and Cybersecurity Cloud-based productivity and collaboration suite administration (email, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams) for library staff, secured by Microsoft 365 Defender for endpoint detection, prevention, and response across library devices. For use by member public libraries.
• Sierra Integrated Library System Hosting Hosting, administration, and support of the Sierra cloud-based integrated library system (ILS) from Innovative Interfaces, including the online public catalog and Discovery Layer for searching the collection, placing holds, renewing items, and managing accounts. For use by member public libraries and their patrons.
• Technology Support Service Desk Shared technology support service desk providing day-to-day IT assistance to library staff across the consortium, covering network, Microsoft 365, Sierra ILS, and endpoint issues. For use by member public libraries.
• eLibrary Digital Resources Portal Aggregated digital content portal providing Allegheny County library cardholders free access to eBooks/audiobooks/eMagazines (Libby/OverDrive), streaming (Hoopla), research databases (Gale, EBSCO, ProQuest), online tutoring (Tutor.com), language learning (Mango, Little Pim, Transparent Language), crafting (Creativebug), and cultural tickets (RAD Pass).
• Allegheny County Libraries Mobile App (Capira) Mobile application providing Allegheny County library patrons quick access to their library account, catalog search, and digital library card storage. For use by library patrons.
• Shoutbomb Text Notifications Service Optional text-message subscription service for Allegheny County library patrons to receive hold pickup, renewal, overdue, and opt-in late-fee notices from their library account.
• RAD Pass Cultural Ticket Lending Online ticket-lending system enabling Allegheny County library cardholders ages 18+ to reserve free or discounted passes to regional cultural attractions (museums, theaters, concerts).
• Emergent Technology Evaluation and Implementation Technology advisory service helping libraries identify, evaluate, recommend, implement, and provide ongoing support for new technologies including cybersecurity, expanded ILS/catalog capabilities, offsite library vending kiosks/pick-up lockers, web hosting, and Internet of Things.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,500 computers refreshed across 75+ library locations (2024)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration20 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerACLA is one of two corporate members of eiNetwork, alongside Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. The eiNetwork press release notes: 'eiNetwork is a part of the Allegheny County library consortium (along with ACLA and CLP).' ACLA libraries share the eLibrary resources, BiblioCommons catalog, and consortium-wide digital lending.
• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLP is the second corporate member of eiNetwork within the Allegheny County library consortium. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh co-administers the shared eLibrary and jointly implements changes such as the May 2026 Hoopla Daily Spending Cap. CLP's eLibrary powers the 'Capira Mobile App' branded for Allegheny County libraries.
• POWER Library (Pennsylvania)coreTechnology or IntegrationPOWER Library, hosted by HSLC, provides state-funded eResources (Gale, EBSCO, ProQuest, Britannica, AP Images, etc.) to Allegheny County library cardholders. Project funded by LSTA funds via the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationeiNetwork manages and administers the Microsoft 365 cloud-based productivity and collaboration suite (email, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams) and applies Microsoft 365 Defender for endpoint detection, prevention, and response across library devices.
• Innovative Interfaces, Inc. (iii)coreTechnology or IntegrationVendor of the Sierra cloud-based integrated library system (ILS) maintained and administered by eiNetwork. Sierra serves as the primary shared database and online public catalog/Discovery Layer for the 46 libraries.
• BiblioCommonscoreTechnology or IntegrationPowers the Allegheny County Libraries shared online catalog (acl.bibliocommons.com), providing patron account access, recent activity, and Library of Things discovery. The site is 'Powered by BiblioCommons' (BiblioCore app40 Version 9.35.1).
• OverDrive / LibbycoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary eBook, eAudiobook, and eMagazine lending platform for Allegheny County library cardholders. Operated via the ACLA OverDrive site (acla.overdrive.com) and the Libby mobile app.
• Hoopla DigitalcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides free streaming and downloading of movies, TV shows, audiobooks, eBooks, comics, and music to library cardholders. As of May 1, 2026, CLP and Allegheny County libraries are implementing a Daily Spending Cap on Hoopla.
• Gale (Cengage)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvides multiple state-funded research databases through POWER Library: Gale Health and Wellness, Gale Academic OneFile Select, Gale OneFile News, Gale eBooks, Biography In Context, Kids InfoBits, and more.
• EBSCOcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides research databases accessible to library cardholders, including NoveList, NoveList K-8 Plus, Consumer Reports, Business Source Elite, and EBSCO eBooks (16,000+ nonfiction titles).
• Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, New Hazlett Theater, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Symphony OrchestraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating cultural organizations in the RAD Pass program that provide free or discounted tickets to Allegheny County library cardholders through the online ticket lending system.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• OCLC: OCLC is the global library cooperative that operates WorldCat and a broad cataloging/interlibrary loan platform. It is a much larger incumbent in shared library infrastructure, supplying backend technology that eiNetwork-adjacent consortia rely on for discovery and resource sharing.

Direct peers

• Bibliomation: Bibliomation is a Connecticut-based library consortium providing shared technology services (network, ILS hosting, digital resources) to its member public libraries. Directly comparable to eiNetwork as a regional library IT shared-service organization.
• CARLI (Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois): CARLI is an Illinois library consortium providing shared technology services, ILS hosting, and digital resource negotiation to academic and research libraries. Directly comparable to eiNetwork's consortium operating model, though it serves a different library segment.
• LYRASIS: LYRASIS is a non-profit technology and content consortium serving libraries, archives, and museums across the US. It is the closest analog to eiNetwork's shared-service model, pooling technology procurement and infrastructure for member institutions on a multi-state scale.
• Califa Library Group: Califa is a California-based library consortium that negotiates and manages shared digital content and technology services for member libraries. Comparable in function to eiNetwork's eResources aggregation and shared technology service model.
• Amigos Library Services: Amigos Library Services is a non-profit consortium providing shared technology, ILS support, digital content, and continuing education to member libraries across multiple states. It is a direct comparable to eiNetwork as a multi-member library IT shared-service organization.
• MCLS (Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative / former Mid-Continent Public Library Service): MCLS is a library cooperative providing shared technology and resource services to member libraries. Its shared-service model — pooled technology procurement, digital lending, and ILS hosting — mirrors eiNetwork's consortium approach for member libraries.

Emerging players

• Bibliotheca (now part of Axiell): Bibliotheca provides library self-service, RFID, and digital lending technology used by public library systems. Comparable as a vendor of physical/digital library infrastructure components that eiNetwork-standardized member libraries consume.

Others

• Capira Technologies: Capira Technologies provides the mobile app platform (Allegheny County Libraries app) integrated with eiNetwork's library catalog. It is a direct technology vendor whose product eiNetwork deploys to its 46 member library patrons.
• Innovative Interfaces (iii): Innovative Interfaces is the vendor of the Sierra integrated library system that eiNetwork administers. As a key upstream technology supplier to library consortia like eiNetwork, it is comparable as an enabling infrastructure provider rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/einlibs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 eiNetwork