Carmel Clay Public Library

What Carmel Clay Public Library does

Carmel Clay Public Library (CCPL) is a publicly funded municipal library system serving Carmel and Clay Township in Hamilton County, Indiana, operating two physical branches — the Main Library at 425 E. Main St and the Joyce Winner West Branch at 12770 Horseferry Rd — supplemented by reciprocal borrowing across Hamilton County and a statewide Public Library Access Card option ($70/year) for non-residents. The library has operated continuously since its 1904 founding and is governed as a government entity, with services structured around age-based patron segments (children 0–5 and families, K–5 kids, teens 6–12, adults, and seniors) plus accessibility programs for homebound and memory-care patrons.

The core product portfolio rests on three pillars: (1) physical and digital collections, with the Bibliocommons-powered online catalog and a Download & Stream hub aggregating Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, ComicsPlus, and several children's content platforms; (2) the Digital Media Lab, which exposes patrons to Bambu Lab 3D printing, audio/video recording rooms, Adobe Creative Suite (Lightroom, Photoshop, Illustrator), Procreate on iPads, and introductory coding via p5.js, supported by both free monthly activities and tiered per-gram print fees; and (3) a dense programming calendar including Summer Reading Program, Teen Artist in Residence, StoryWalk installations in partnership with Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation, book discussion groups, technology classes, AI Basics education, and specialized workshops (cyanotype sun printing, linocut printmaking, generative poetry). Mission-aligned programs such as the Seed Library and Art Wall Fundraiser round out the offering. NoveList Plus and Beanstack are embedded as recommendation and reading-tracking systems.

Revenue mechanics are those of a public agency. The primary funding stream is recurring public tax appropriation supporting collections, staff salaries, and building operations; this is treated as a subscription-style, tax-funded base. A secondary, donor-funded layer flows through the CCPL Foundation and its three constituent arms — Foundation Friends (volunteer bookstore selling donated hardcovers, paperbacks, DVDs, music, and puzzles at $1–3), Foundation Guild (author and book events), and the Young Professionals Group (Library After Dark, 20s-and-30s engagement) — raising unrestricted funds, managing scholarships, and running fundraisers. Direct fee revenue is small and concentrated in 3D printing (per-gram model), some interlibrary loan pass-throughs, and PLAC fees. Pricing for core services is effectively free for resident cardholders. A 2025 Annual Report has been published and a 2026–2028 Strategic Plan has been introduced, framing the next operating period.

Name

Carmel Clay Public Library

Legal name

Carmel Clay Public Library

Website

https://carmelclaylibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1904

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Carmel Clay Public Library is a publicly funded municipal library system serving Carmel and Clay Township in Hamilton County, Indiana. It operates two branches providing book lending, digital collections via Libby/Hoopla/Kanopy, a Digital Media Lab with 3D printing and audio studios, and age-segmented community programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)

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), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community programming
• Digital media lab
• Interlibrary loan
• Reading programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Carmel

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Tax Funding: Primary funding source from public tax dollars supporting basic library expenses including collections, staff salaries, and building upkeep.
2. Foundation Donations: CCPL Foundation raises funds for programs and services beyond basic operations through Annual Fund donations, memorial gifts, corporate sponsorships, planned giving, and securities gifts.
3. Foundation Friends Bookstore: Volunteer-staffed bookstore selling donated materials ($1-3 hardcovers/paperbacks) with proceeds supporting library programs.
4. 3D Printing Fees: Patrons pay for 3D printing based on filament weight: $3 (under 60g), $5 (under 105g), $7 (under 150g), $10 (under 210g), then $0.05/gram. Special filaments charged at double rate.
5. Interlibrary Loan Fees: Free when possible from lending libraries; patrons charged when libraries require fees for lending.
6. Public Library Access Card: Non-residents can purchase state-administered PLAC for $70/year to access any Indiana public library.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Carmel Clay Public Library provides free public library services to Carmel and Clay Township residents through two physical branches (Main Library and Joyce Winner West Branch), an online catalog, and digital content platforms. Core offerings include physical and digital book/media lending, a Digital Media Lab with 3D printing and audio/video recording, age-segmented community programming (children, teens, adults, seniors), genealogy and research resources, meeting spaces, and a volunteer-run Foundation Friends Bookstore.

Product overview

Carmel Clay Public Library operates as a public library system with two locations (Main Library and West Branch) offering a unified service model combining physical collections, digital media platforms, and technology services. The core product portfolio centers on the Library Catalog (Bibliocommons-powered) and Download & Stream services (aggregating Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, ComicsPlus, and children's platforms), supplemented by the Digital Media Lab providing 3D printing, audio/video recording, and photography workshops. Additional offerings include specialized programs like Summer Reading Program, Teen Artist in Residence, StoryWalk outdoor reading experiences, Art Wall Fundraiser, Seed Library, and book discussion groups for various demographics. The Foundation Friends Bookstore provides fundraising through used material sales. The library maintains partnerships with Beanstack for reading tracking and offers interlibrary loan services extending access beyond local collections.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Catalog (Bibliocommons) Online catalog system enabling patrons to search, reserve, renew, and manage library materials including books, DVDs, and digital content across both branches.
• Download & Stream Digital Content Service Aggregated digital content hub providing cardholder access to eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV, music, comics, and magazines through Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, ComicsPlus, Bookflix, TrueFlix, TumbleBooks, and LOTE4Kids.
• Digital Media Lab (DML) Technology hub providing patrons access to 3D printing, audio/video recording rooms, photography equipment, Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate on iPads, and 3D modeling software (Tinkercad, Fusion 360) with staff specialist support.
• 3D Printing Services Patron-initiated 3D printing service using Bambu Lab printers with multicolor (up to 4 colors) capability, accepting .3MF, .STL, and .OBJ files; priced by filament weight.
• Audio Recording Rooms Sound-isolated recording facilities within the Digital Media Lab for podcast creation and music production, available with introductory classes and specialist guidance.
• Summer Reading Program Annual reading incentive program for kids, teens, and adults running June 1–July 31 with prize earning, charity donations (Children's TherAplay, Choice Food Pantry), and tracking via Beanstack.
• Interlibrary Loan Service enabling resident cardholders to request items not in the CCPL collection from other libraries nationwide; available for books published over two years ago and articles.
• Foundation Friends Bookstore Volunteer-staffed bookstore selling donated gently used hardcovers, paperbacks, kids/teen books, DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, puzzles, and greeting cards at discount prices, with proceeds supporting library programs.
• Book Discussion Groups Multiple recurring book club offerings including Critical Mass (literary novels), Page Turners, Mystery Book Group, Queer Book Group, and Behind the Book author events.
• Teen Art Contest Annual art competition for teens in grades 6–12 with categories in fine art, digital art, and collage; winning pieces displayed in the library.
• Teen Artist in Residence Program Monthly rotating exhibition program featuring teen artists' work in the library's Teen Art Wall, with media including digital art, drawings, and customized skateboard decks.
• StoryWalk Outdoor Reading Experience Outdoor story-reading experience placing illustrated storybook pages along walking routes in Carmel Clay Parks (Central Park, Meadowlark Park), including multilingual content (English, Arabic, Spanish).
• Art Wall Fundraiser Monthly rotating art exhibition in the Main Library lobby featuring local artists, with 30% of sales benefiting the CCPL Foundation.
• Seed Library Program allowing patrons to borrow seeds for planting and contribute seeds from their own harvests to share with the community.

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Carmel Clay Parks & RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for StoryWalk installations at local parks including Central Park and Meadowlark Park, combining outdoor recreation with literacy activities. StoryWalk at Meadowlark Park features multilingual content (English, Arabic, Spanish).
• Paws & ThinkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTherapy dog organization providing trained dogs for Paws to Read program where children read to therapy animals. Sponsors Westfield Veterinary Care.
• Children's TherAplaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer Reading Program beneficiary receiving donations based on participant reading achievements. Donations incentivize reading while supporting pediatric therapy services.
• Choice Food PantrycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner2026 Summer Reading Program charity partner receiving over 8,100 donations earned through participant reading.
• Italian Heritage Society of IndianaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presents Francis of Assisi 800 Years On author event with CCPL Foundation and Carmel-Cortona Sister City Committee.
• Carmel-Cortona Sister City CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presents Francis of Assisi 800 Years On author event with CCPL Foundation and Italian Heritage Society.
• Poetry Society of IndianaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohn Hinton, immediate past president, leads Generative Poetry Workshop at CCPL.
• Dementia Friends IndianaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemory Cafe program connects patrons to dementia resources through this community partnership.
• Nickel Plate ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohn Hinton nominated for Nickel Plate Arts Artist Advocate Award.
• Dance FamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal dance studio providing KPop Demon Hunters dance instructor for library programming.
• Roberts CameraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonates gift cards as prizes for Uncovering History photo contest winners.
• Indiana State LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINSPIRE service provides statewide database access including academic journals, ebooks, and research tools used by CCPL patrons.
• Foundation FriendscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization operating bookstore, managing donations, holding book sales, and overseeing Art Wall Fundraiser. Awards scholarships to teen library volunteers.
• Teen Library CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeen advisory group providing input on teen services and programming at the library.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• OverDrive: Digital content platform provider whose Libby app is integrated with CCPL. Indirect peer as the underlying digital lending infrastructure powering the library's ebook and audiobook services.
• BiblioCommons: Catalog and discovery platform powering CCPL's online catalog. Ecosystem participant providing the digital interface through which patrons search and manage library holdings.

Direct peers

• Indianapolis Public Library: Indianapolis's central public library system serving Marion County, Indiana. Directly comparable as an Indiana public library offering book lending, digital resources, community programming, and technology access to a similar Midwest population.
• Hamilton East Public Library: Public library serving Fishers and surrounding areas in Hamilton County, Indiana. Reciprocal borrowing partner with CCPL; comparable scale, affluent Indianapolis-suburban demographic, and programming model.
• Westfield Washington Public Library: Public library in Westfield, Indiana, also within Hamilton County. Comparable as a neighboring suburban Indiana public library with similar demographics and programming breadth.

Broad incumbents

• New York Public Library: Largest public library system in the United States. Comparable as a public library providing book lending, digital collections, community programs, and technology access, but operates at vastly larger urban scale.
• Chicago Public Library: Major urban public library system offering lending, digital media, makerspaces, and community programming. Comparable core service model (Digital Media Lab equivalent) but at metropolitan scale.
• King County Library System: Large suburban-county public library system in the Seattle metropolitan area. Comparable as a well-funded suburban public library with extensive programming, digital collections, and community partnerships.
• Columbus Metropolitan Library: Major Ohio metropolitan public library serving Franklin County. Comparable as a public library with strong programming, digital resources, and community engagement; recognized nationally for innovation.
• Hennepin County Library: Suburban-Minneapolis county library system offering lending, digital media, makerspaces, and educational programming. Comparable as a well-funded suburban public library with technology-forward offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CarmelClayLibrary
• Facebookfacebook.com/carmellib
• Instagraminstagram.com/carmel_library
• Xx.com/carmellib
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carmel-clay-public-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

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 Carmel Clay Public Library