What Library Connection does

Library Connection, Inc. (LCI) is a non-profit cooperative of public libraries, headquartered in Glastonbury, Connecticut (mailing address: 2842 Main St., Ste. 285), that provides shared technological infrastructure to its member libraries. The organization operates an integrated library system (ILS) — specifically the Sierra platform — that member libraries use to manage circulation, cataloging, and patron records, eliminating the need for each library to procure and maintain these systems independently. LCI also delivers a shared online public access catalog (lcicatalog.org) and, through a partnership with OverDrive, a consolidated digital lending portal (libraryconnection.overdrive.com) for e-books and audiobooks. A new, modernized library catalog platform is scheduled for launch in June 2025.

LCI's core products include the shared ILS, the OPAC, the OverDrive digital collection, an automated renewals module (adopted by approximately 97% of members, covering 31 libraries), and fine-free policy support services (adopted by over 85% of members, covering 28 libraries). The underlying technology architecture is a multi-tenant shared ILS with member-level access controls, supplemented by integrations with Sierra and OverDrive for patron-facing discovery and digital lending.

The business model is a membership-based cooperative: member libraries pay recurring fees to LCI in exchange for access to shared technology, collaborative purchasing power for digital content, and operational support services. The go-to-market motion is community-led, with prospective libraries invited to join directly through a dedicated "Joining LCI" page rather than through traditional sales channels. There is no publicly disclosed pricing, and all member libraries are public/government entities concentrated in Connecticut.

Name

Library Connection

Legal name

Library Connection, Inc.

Website

https://libraryconnection.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Library Connection, Inc. is a Connecticut-based non-profit cooperative of public libraries that provides a shared integrated library system (Sierra ILS), a unified catalog, an OverDrive digital lending portal, and operational support services to roughly 30 member libraries across the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Library Cooperative Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Library cooperative services
• Integrated library system
• Library catalog management
• Digital library content
• Library technology consortium

Headquarters

HQ city

Windsor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Library Membership Cooperative: Library Connection operates as a non-profit cooperative of libraries that share an integrated library system and technological innovations. Revenue generation is through membership fees and collaborative value creation among member libraries rather than direct product sales.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Library Connection, Inc. (LCI) is a non-profit cooperative that provides member libraries with a shared integrated library system (ILS) built on Sierra, a shared online public access catalog (OPAC), and a cooperative OverDrive digital content platform for e-books and audiobooks. The cooperative also delivers shared patron services such as automated renewals and supports member adoption of fine-free policies, with roughly 30 public libraries in Connecticut participating.

Product overview

Library Connection, Inc. (LCI) is a non-profit cooperative of libraries that operates as a platform-plus-shared-services model, providing a shared integrated library system (ILS) and related technological innovations to member libraries. The core offerings include the ILS platform, the Library Catalog (OPAC), and the OverDrive digital collection platform. LCI adds value through collaborative services including automated renewals (implemented by 97% of members) and fine-free policy support (adopted by 85% of members). A major new library catalog platform is scheduled for launch in June 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Integrated Library System (ILS) A shared integrated library system (built on the Sierra platform) used by LCI member libraries to manage circulation, cataloging, and patron records. Provided as the cooperative's core technology infrastructure for member libraries.
• Library Catalog (OPAC) An online public access catalog allowing patrons of member libraries to search and discover library materials across the cooperative's shared collection. A new and improved version is migrating to a modern platform.
• OverDrive Digital Collection A digital content platform providing e-books, audiobooks, and other downloadable media to LCI member library patrons via a dedicated OverDrive portal. Enabled through cooperative purchasing that makes digital content more affordable for individual libraries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of member libraries have implemented automated renewals
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• OverDrivecoreTechnology or IntegrationLibrary Connection partners with OverDrive to provide member libraries and their patrons access to digital e-books and audiobooks through a shared OverDrive portal (libraryconnection.overdrive.com). This partnership enables cooperative purchasing of digital content that would be more expensive for individual libraries to acquire independently.

Scale indicators3 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Emerging players

• OverDrive: OverDrive is a digital content platform for libraries providing e-books, audiobooks, and streaming media. It is LCI's core digital content partner and comparable as part of the shared service stack offered to member libraries.
• Bibliocommons: BiblioCommons provides library discovery and patron engagement platforms, including modern catalog interfaces. Comparable to LCI's upcoming catalog platform migration in that it serves the discovery and patron experience layer for library cooperatives.
• Equinox Open Library Initiative: Equinox Open Library Initiative supports open-source library software including the Koha ILS and FulfILLMENT discovery layer. Comparable to LCI as an alternative open technology platform serving library cooperatives considering ILS migrations.

Direct peers

• Amigos Library Services: Amigos Library Services is a non-profit membership organization providing cooperative library services including technology, digital content, and continuing education. Comparable to LCI as a library-focused cooperative serving similar member needs.
• Bibliomation: Bibliomation is a Connecticut-based non-profit library consortium providing shared automation and technology services to public, academic, and school libraries. It is the most directly comparable peer to LCI, operating the same cooperative model in overlapping Connecticut territory.
• LYRASIS: LYRASIS is a large non-profit technology and content services organization serving libraries, archives, and museums. It offers shared technology, digital content licensing, and cooperative services similar to LCI, though at a much larger multi-state scale.

Broad incumbents

• OCLC: OCLC is a global non-profit library cooperative providing shared technology services, cataloging, and resource sharing to libraries worldwide. It is comparable to LCI as a library cooperative, though operating at vastly greater scale and serving different functional layers of the library technology stack.
• SirsiDynix: SirsiDynix is a major commercial vendor of integrated library systems (ILS), including the Symphony platform used by many library consortia. Comparable to LCI as an ILS provider serving cooperatives, though operating as a commercial vendor rather than a member-owned cooperative.
• Innovative Interfaces: Innovative Interfaces (a Clarivate company) is a major vendor of library management platforms including Polaris and Sierra. Sierra is the ILS platform LCI currently uses, making Innovative a directly comparable technology provider serving similar library customers.
• Library Systems & Services (LSSI): LSSI is a large private-sector library management company that operates library systems for municipalities nationwide. It is comparable to LCI as an alternative operating model for shared library technology and services, though LSSI is for-profit and significantly larger in scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Library Connection