Sun Prairie Public Library
Sun Prairie Public Library is a municipal public library founded in 1901 in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, serving residents of Sun Prairie and all Wisconsin residents with free access to 280,000+ physical and digital titles, programming for all ages, a makerspace, Library of Things, Dream Bus mobile library, and home delivery service.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1901
- HeadquartersSun Prairie, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Sun Prairie Public Library does
Sun Prairie Public Library is a municipal public library founded in 1901 and operated by the City of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. It serves the residents of Sun Prairie and, through reciprocal library card agreements, all Wisconsin residents, providing free access to physical and digital collections, programming, and community gathering space. Primary segments are children (ages 0-12), teens (grades 6-12), adults, and homebound residents, with services delivered across an in-person branch, the Dream Bus mobile library (active since April 2019), drive-up window, home delivery, and remote database access.
Core offerings span traditional library functions and newer service lines. The catalog runs on the LINKcat integrated library system shared with 50+ South Central Library System libraries, supplemented by statewide access to Wisconsin's Digital Library (Overdrive/Libby), Kanopy streaming, BadgerLink databases, Beanstack reading-tracking, Transparent Language, Ancestry Library, FamilySearch (Affiliate Library), Morningstar Investment Research Center, Consumer Reports, Reference Solutions, TumbleBookLibrary, NoveList Plus, and WorldCat. The collection totals 280,000+ physical and digital titles. Differentiated programs include The Mixer makerspace (MakerBot 3D printer, Glowforge HD+ laser printer, audio/video studios, opening June 2026), Library of Things (board games, tools, museum and state park passes), Youth Kits (sensory and themed backpacks), Memory Kits for dementia care, Storytime programs across English and Spanish, Summer Reading Program (3,291 participants in 2025), Kind Stage & Amphitheater, Story Walk outdoor reading trails, and free test proctoring and faxing.
The business model is publicly funded and non-transactional. The City of Sun Prairie provides the primary operating budget and tax-funded facilities; federal pass-through funding flows via IMLS and LSTA through the South Central Library System. Revenue is supplemented by the Sun Prairie Public Library Foundation (a 501(c)(3) founded in 1999 with a $500,000 endowment milestone reached in 2017 and a $3.5M capital campaign completed for the expansion) and Friends of the Library (a 501(c)(3) supporting programs through the Read Before Bookstore). Library cards are free; the library has been fine-free since July 2020; the only material fees are $0.10/page black-and-white and $0.50/page color printing. The ongoing expansion and renovation project added 25,075 sq ft to bring total footprint to 60,600 sq ft, with phased completion from June 2025 through a community ribbon cutting scheduled for May 2026, including geothermal HVAC and a solar-plus-battery microgrid.
Sun Prairie Public Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sun Prairie Public Library
- Legal name
- Sun Prairie Public Library
- Website
- https://sunprairiepubliclibrary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1901
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sun Prairie Public Library is a municipal public library founded in 1901 in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, serving residents of Sun Prairie and all Wisconsin residents with free access to 280,000+ physical and digital titles, programming for all ages, a makerspace, Library of Things, Dream Bus mobile library, and home delivery service.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sun Prairie Public Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (519)
- SIC
- Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)
Keywords
Where Sun Prairie Public Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sun Prairie
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sun Prairie Public Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Municipal Funding: Primary funding from City of Sun Prairie budget allocation and tax revenues. Federal funding through Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) via South Central Library System.
- Donations and Grants: Support from Friends of the Library nonprofit, Library Foundation endowment income, and individual donations. Foundation reached $500,000 goal and distributes 100% of investment income annually.
- Library Fines and Fees: Fine-free since July 2020. Fees charged only for lost or damaged materials, replacement costs for items overdue 29+ days.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free library card for Wisconsin residents |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Printing and copying services |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Library of Things and Dream Bus passes |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Sun Prairie Public Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sun Prairie Public Library is a municipal public library providing free access to physical and digital collections, programming for all ages, makerspace facilities, and community gathering spaces. It offers lending services through the LINKcat catalog system, digital databases (Kanopy, Libby, Transparent Language, Ancestry), the Library of Things non-traditional item collection, youth and adult programming, home delivery for homebound patrons, and the Dream Bus mobile library. The library serves Sun Prairie, Wisconsin residents through a fine-free policy established in July 2020.
Product overview
Sun Prairie Public Library is a public library system serving the City of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Founded in 1901, the library provides a comprehensive range of educational, cultural, and recreational services through both physical and digital collections. The core offerings include traditional library services (book lending, digital resources via LINKcat catalog system, databases like Kanopy and Wisconsin's Digital Library), physical media lending through the Library of Things collection, and specialized programs including The Mixer makerspace (opening 2026), Kind Stage amphitheater, Story Walk outdoor reading trails, and the Dream Bus mobile library. Programming spans all ages through dedicated Kids Services (storytime, summer reading, youth kits), Teen Services (creativity clubs, volunteer opportunities), and Adult Services (book clubs, memory kits, home delivery). The library's 2025 expansion project added 25,075 square feet including teen space, youth programming rooms, makerspace, and sustainable features.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Mixer: A makerspace program room designed to host creative learning opportunities. Programs focus on hands-on discovery and experimenting for all ages including cooking classes, painting, 3D printing, and digital video and audio production.
- Kind Stage & Amphitheater
- Dream Bus
- Library of Things
- LINKcat
Products and services
- Library of Things Collection of non-traditional items available for lending including board games, craft supplies, kitchen equipment, outdoor gear, electronics, musical instruments, tools, and museum/zoo passes. Items have a 7-day checkout period and cannot be reserved or renewed.
- The Mixer Makerspace Makerspace program room for creative learning opportunities featuring equipment including MakerBot 3D Printer, Glowforge HD+ laser printer, button maker, die cut machine, photo scanner, video converters, and digital audio/video studios. Hosts programs including cooking classes, painting, 3D printing, and digital video and audio production.
- Digital Resources and Databases Electronic resources including Kanopy streaming video, Wisconsin's Digital Library (Libby) for ebooks and audiobooks, language learning (Transparent Language), genealogy databases (Ancestry, FamilySearch), financial research (Morningstar), consumer product reviews (Consumer Reports), and children's resources (TumbleBookLibrary, LOTE4Kids, EraBooks).
- Summer Reading Program Annual reading incentive program running June-August for all ages (babies, kids, teens, adults). Uses Beanstack platform for tracking reading time and activities. Participants earn prizes for completing reading goals and attend exclusive events.
- Kids Services Programs and services for children including storytime, summer reading, LEGO family time, Flicks & Bricks movie programs, Young Explorers Club, digital escape rooms, and youth kits (sensory kits, themed backpacks). Resources include TumbleBooks and Wisconsin's Digital Library for kids.
- Teen Services Programs for teens in 6th-12th grade including Teen Creativity Club, Anime Club, Teen Writers and Readers, and Teen D&D. Also includes VolunTeen volunteer program, Discord server, and digital escape rooms. Services include booklists and summer reading programs.
- Adult Services Services for adults including research and information assistance, book/movie/music recommendations, interlibrary loan, technology and computer help, access to databases, book discussions, community outreach, and home delivery service. Also offers Memory Kits for dementia stimulation and book club kits.
- Storytime Programs Early literacy programs including Itsys Bitsy Lapsit (ages 0-2), Little Kid (ages 1-3), Big Kid (ages 3-5), Cuentos Infantiles Spanish Storytime, Family Storytime, and Outdoor Storytime. Programs include books, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and puppets.
- Book Clubs Multiple book discussion groups for adults: Afternoon Book Club, Cookbook Club (meets in The Mixer), Eclectic Book Club, Evening Book Club, Mystery Book Club (two meeting times), and Urban SUN: Black Voices Book Club (via Zoom). Book Club Kits available for loan.
- Youth Kits Backpacks or containers filled with themed items that can be checked out for 2 weeks. Includes sensory kits and themed resource collections for children.
- Kind Stage and Amphitheater Outdoor performance venue named in honor of Elsbeth Kind. Hosts free, all-ages community events including Monday Night Music series, summer reading program events, and cultural performances.
- Story Walk Outdoor reading experience featuring pages of picture books displayed on signs along walking paths. Locations include library grounds and Sheehan Park. Books are changed periodically to feature new stories.
- Dream Bus Mobile library on wheels expanding library services throughout Sun Prairie since April 2019. Brings library to neighborhoods, attends community events including Farmers' Market and Multicultural Fair. Services include library card sign-up, returns, free books, movies, and WiFi.
- Memory Kits Themed kits available for checkout containing items to provide stimulating mental exercises for people experiencing dementia. Each kit includes books, puzzles, games and materials for caregivers and loved ones to share memories.
- Home Delivery Service Free delivery of library materials to City of Sun Prairie residents who cannot visit the library due to age, disability, or illness. Requires current library card in good standing.
- LINKcat Mobile App Mobile application for the library catalog system allowing patrons to manage accounts, place holds, renew items, and access digital library cards. Supports adding family member cards and linking to additional resources.
- Print, Copy, Scan, and Fax Services Document services including printing ($0.10/page black and white, $0.50/color), copying, free faxing (local, long distance, and international), and free scanning to email or USB. Mobile printing available via upload portal or email.
- Test Proctoring Free test proctoring service available by appointment during library hours. Tests are administered in small study rooms with library staff assisting setup.
- Study Room Reservations Five study rooms available in Adult Services space plus two Youth and Family Study Rooms. Rooms 4 and 5 include wall-mounted screens. Teen-specific study rooms planned for summer 2026.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3,291 participants in 2025 summer reading program
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Sun Prairie Public Library
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sun Prairie Public Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration14 records
Feature4 records
Sun Prairie Public Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Friends of the Sun Prairie Public Librarycore501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing volunteers and funding for non-budgeted library programs and supplies. Manages Read Before Bookstore. Supports Library of Things collection. Actively recruiting adult and junior board members.
- Sun Prairie Public Library FoundationcoreFounded 1999 to manage donations and create endowment. Reached $500,000 goal in 2017. Gives 100% of investment income to library annually. 501(c)(3) independent of government. Manages Capital Campaign for expansion ($3.5M goal met).
- South Central Library System (SCLS)coreConsortium of 50+ libraries sharing LINKcat catalog, interlibrary loan, and digital resources. SPPL cardholders can access materials throughout the system.
- Wisconsin's Digital Library / OverdrivecoreStatewide consortium providing ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines through Overdrive/Libby platform. Access for all South Central Library System cardholders.
- BadgerLinkcoreWisconsin Department of Public Instruction resource providing free databases including newspapers, EBSCO databases, HeritageQuest, Britannica Escolar, and literary resources to all Wisconsin residents.
- Milwaukee ZoominorDay passes available through Library of Things collection for free checkout by patrons.
- Wisconsin Historical SocietyminorDay passes available through Library of Things collection. Also partner for local history digitization projects.
- Job Center of WisconsinminorState workforce development resource providing job search tools and employer listings. Linked as employment resource for patrons.
- Wisconsin Department of Workforce DevelopmentminorState agency providing workforce services and advocacy for workers, employers, and job seekers. Includes Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
- Centro Hispano of Dane CountyminorCommunity organization providing job readiness, digital literacy, and workforce training with Spanish-speaking staff. Partner for serving Latino community.
- Urban League of Greater MadisonminorOrganization offering career counseling, job leads, resume assistance, career academies, and employer referrals. Partner for workforce development.
- City of Sun PrairiecorePrimary funder through municipal budget. Partners on sustainability initiatives, Repair Cafe, city events, and community programs including Farmers Market and Sustainability Fair.
- Sun Prairie Area School DistrictcoreSchool district with library board liaison member. Partnerships for student services, summer reading, and Community Schools events. School district employment opportunities linked.
- Dane County Library ServiceminorSeparate home delivery program via mail delivery for Dane County residents. Referenced as additional resource for homebound patrons.
- Sun Prairie Historical Library and MuseumminorCollaborative partner for Sun Prairie Digital History project. Joint digitization of historical archives, photos, and local history materials through Recollection Wisconsin.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sun Prairie Public Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Madison Public Library: Largest public library system in Dane County, Wisconsin, serving Madison and surrounding communities. Comparable as a public library serving a similar Wisconsin municipality with LINKcat consortium membership and overlapping digital resources.
- Middleton Public Library: Public library serving the City of Middleton, a Madison suburb in Dane County. Closely comparable in scale, suburban Wisconsin context, and LINKcat membership; offers a useful size benchmark for SPPL.
- Verona Public Library: Public library serving Verona, Wisconsin, another growing Madison suburb in Dane County. Highly comparable suburban profile, Dane County tax-base dynamics, and patron demographics.
- Fitchburg Public Library: Public library serving Fitchburg, Wisconsin, a Madison suburb in Dane County. Comparable municipal library model with LINKcat consortium participation and similar suburban service population.
- Stoughton Public Library: Public library serving Stoughton, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Comparable small-to-mid-size Wisconsin public library with LINKcat membership and similar municipal funding model.
- Oregon Public Library: Public library serving Oregon, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Comparable Dane County suburban library with similar patron demographics and LINKcat participation.
- Waunakee Public Library: Public library serving Waunakee, Wisconsin, a Madison suburb. Comparable Wisconsin suburban public library serving a fast-growing community with similar service-area economics.
Regional players
- Cottage Grove Public Library: Public library serving Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, a smaller Dane County community. Comparable as a small Wisconsin public library, though smaller in scale and resources than SPPL.
- DeForest Area Public Library: Public library serving the DeForest area in Dane County, Wisconsin. Comparable small Wisconsin public library in an adjacent suburban community.
Others
- South Central Library System: Regional library consortium of 50+ Wisconsin public libraries that operates LINKcat, the shared ILS and catalog platform SPPL relies on. Relevant as an ecosystem/ infrastructure provider rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sun Prairie Public Library social profiles
Digital presenceSun Prairie Public Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sun Prairie Public Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Sun Prairie Public Library subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Sun Prairie Public Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sun Prairie Public Library 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 Sun Prairie Public Library
What does Sun Prairie Public Library do?
Sun Prairie Public Library is a municipal public library providing free access to physical and digital collections, programming for all ages, makerspace facilities, and community gathering spaces. It offers lending services through the LINKcat catalog system, digital databases (Kanopy, Libby, Transparent Language, Ancestry), the Library of Things non-traditional item collection, youth and adult programming, home delivery for homebound patrons, and the Dream Bus mobile library. The library serves Sun Prairie, Wisconsin residents through a fine-free policy established in July 2020.
Is Sun Prairie Public Library a public or private company?
Sun Prairie Public Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Sun Prairie Public Library founded?
Sun Prairie Public Library was founded in 1901. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sun Prairie Public Library based?
Sun Prairie Public Library is headquartered in Sun Prairie, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sun Prairie Public Library make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Municipal Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Grants and library Fines and Fees.
Who are Sun Prairie Public Library's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Madison Public Library, Middleton Public Library, Verona Public Library, Fitchburg Public Library, Stoughton Public Library, Oregon Public Library and Waunakee Public Library. Regional players are Cottage Grove Public Library and DeForest Area Public Library. South Central Library System is listed as an others.
Does Sun Prairie Public Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sun Prairie Public Library.
What industry is Sun Prairie Public Library in?
Sun Prairie Public Library's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services, with a secondary code of EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management. Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 7340.