The Library Corporation

What The Library Corporation does

The Library Corporation (TLC) is a privately held library automation software company founded in 1974 and headquartered in Inwood, West Virginia, with an additional office in Denver, Colorado. The company develops and sells Integrated Library Systems (ILS) and supporting data, cloud, and mobile products to public, school, academic, and special libraries worldwide, serving more than 5,500 library locations across 1,100+ organizations including Los Angeles Public Library, Dallas Independent School District, Hawaii State Department of Education, and Wellington City Libraries in New Zealand. TLC has operated continuously under the same ownership since inception, with 100+ employees and no disclosed external funding, private equity backing, or venture capital investment.

TLC's product platform centers on two core ILS offerings, Library•Solution and CARL•Solution, supported by a portfolio of add-on modules including ITS•MARC (MARC record subscriptions), eBiblioFile (eBook discovery), RDAExpress (RDA cataloging), TLC Cloud Services (managed infrastructure on Oracle Cloud), TLC Go (patron mobile app), Guardian Engagement, and Classroom Collections. The upcoming Library•Solution v5.10 release delivers full WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility compliance as a standard included feature rather than a paid add-on. TLC also operates as the library marketplace's exclusive distributor of SocialFlow social media management and maintains integration partnerships with OCLC, OverDrive, Hoopla, EBSCO, ProQuest, Ingram, and Follett.

The business model is subscription-based with annual billing cycles and quote-based pricing not publicly disclosed. Revenue is generated through software licensing and subscriptions, data services, and managed cloud and infrastructure services. TLC holds GSA, WBENC, and Women-Owned Small Business federal contracting certifications and reaches customers through direct enterprise field sales, inside sales, conference presence at ALA Annual Conference, and content marketing via blog, newsletter, webinars, and case studies. Customer support is delivered by in-house library professionals on a 24/7 basis, which the company explicitly positions against AI-driven support alternatives.

Name

The Library Corporation

Legal name

The Library Corporation

Website

https://tlcdelivers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Library Corporation is a privately held library automation software company, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Inwood, West Virginia, that provides Integrated Library Systems and supporting data, cloud, and mobile products to more than 1,100 library organizations across 5,500+ locations worldwide, primarily serving public, school, academic, and special libraries on annual subscription contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Inwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Licensing and Subscriptions: TLC generates revenue through licensing and supporting its ILS products including Library•Solution, CARL•Solution, and related software solutions. Revenue is derived from software subscriptions, implementation services, and ongoing customer support for library automation systems.
2. Data Services: Revenue from data services including ITS•MARC subscription services, eBiblioFile, and RDAExpress for bibliographic data management.
3. Cloud and Infrastructure Services: Managed cloud services powered by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, providing high-performance infrastructure for library systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Library Corporation (TLC) develops, sells, and supports enterprise Integrated Library System (ILS) software and related data/cloud services for libraries worldwide. Its core products are Library•Solution and CARL•Solution, supplemented by ITS•MARC and eBiblioFile bibliographic data services, TLC Cloud Services, the TLC Go mobile app, and Implementation Services for migration, training, and go-live support.

Product overview

The Library Corporation provides enterprise library management software as a unified platform of integrated products. The core offerings include Library•Solution (ILS for public libraries), CARL•Solution (ILS for academic and public libraries), and supporting data services (ITS•MARC, eBiblioFile, RDAExpress). The company also offers cloud infrastructure services, a mobile app (TLC Go), and serves as exclusive distributor of SocialFlow for social media management. All products are backed by implementation services and 24/7 customer support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Library•Solution: Integrated library system solution for public libraries.
• CARL•Solution
• ITS•MARC
• eBiblioFile
• RDAExpress
• TLC Cloud Services
• TLC Go
• Guardian Engagement
• Classroom Collections
• TLC•SmartTECH
• TLC•Merch

Products and services

• Library•Solution Award-winning Integrated Library System (ILS) for public libraries, featuring the LS2 PAC public access catalog with full WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility compliance included as standard. Provides cataloging, circulation, patron services, and digital discovery for public library systems.
• CARL•Solution Comprehensive library management solution for academic and public libraries, featuring a web-based CARL•Connect interface that streamlines training for new hires and everyday operations.
• ITS•MARC Subscription-based MARC record and bibliographic data service that lets libraries subscribe and test against their actual catalog data for 30 days.
• eBiblioFile Data service for eBook discovery, helping libraries and their patrons discover and access eBook collections.
• RDAExpress Resource Description and Access (RDA) tool supporting library cataloging with modern bibliographic standards.
• TLC Cloud Services Managed, cloud-based infrastructure service powered by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, managed by TLC's library and data experts for high-performance library system hosting.
• TLC Go Customizable mobile application for TLC libraries, giving patrons mobile access to library services such as catalog search, holds, and account management.
• Guardian Engagement Engagement tool for libraries to communicate with guardians and caregivers of patrons, supporting school and youth-services workflows.
• Classroom Collections Collection management solution for school and classroom libraries, enabling teachers and librarians to curate and circulate classroom-level collections.
• Implementation Services Professional services for new TLC customers, covering data migration, system setup, staff training, and go-live support through a structured four-phase implementation process.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,500+ libraries served since 1974
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OraclecoreTechnology or IntegrationTLC Cloud Services powered by highly trusted Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, managed by TLC's data and library experts. This partnership provides the foundation for TLC's cloud-based library management infrastructure.
• SocialFlowcoreTechnology or IntegrationTLC is the library marketplace's exclusive distributor of SocialFlow social media management service, enabling libraries to manage social media engagement.
• IngramminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBook distribution partner for library collections.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• OCLC: Global library cooperative operating WorldCat and the OCLC Wise ILS; competes with TLC directly in ILS and metadata services while simultaneously serving as TLC's partner for resource sharing—mirroring TLC's combination of ILS, MARC data, and discovery offerings to public and academic libraries.
• Ex Libris (Clarivate): Provider of Alma, Primo, and Rosetta used heavily by academic and research libraries; relevant peer to TLC for CARL•Solution-style workflows and shared MARC/bibliographic ecosystems, though weighted toward academic and large consortia vs. TLC's public-library strength.
• SirsiDynix: A leading independent ILS vendor serving public, school, and academic libraries with Symphony and SaaS solutions such as BLUEcloud; closest direct competitor to TLC in mid-sized and large public library ILS deployments with comparable subscription and cloud delivery models.
• Innovative Interfaces (a Clarivate company): Polar- and Vega-based ILS serving public and school libraries worldwide, now part of Clarivate alongside Ex Libris; directly competes with TLC's Library•Solution and CARL•Solution for cloud-based ILS replacements and procurement cycles.

Emerging players

• Equinox Software: US-based vendor supporting Evergreen and Koha open-source ILS implementations; competes with TLC in cost-sensitive public library deals and consortium-led migrations where open-source TCO is the decisive factor.
• Biblionix: Provider of the Apollo ILS targeted at small-to-mid public libraries; competes head-to-head with TLC's CARL•Solution for smaller library automation deals and for libraries seeking lighter-weight, modern SaaS ILS options.
• ByWater Solutions: Premier North American provider of hosting, support, and migration services for the open-source Koha ILS, targeting the same mid-sized public and school libraries TLC serves; represents the open-source competitive alternative that pressures TLC's mid-market.

Broad incumbents

• Follett: Dominant K-12 content and Destiny library management software provider; sits in TLC's school library segment as both a partner and incumbent competitor, shaping K-12 procurement dynamics alongside TLC's Classroom Collections and school library products.

Regional players

• Capita (Library & Learning): UK-based supplier of library software and services (e.g., Koha, Spydus) primarily serving UK, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific public libraries; comparable to TLC in end-customer profile but geographically distinct, and serves as the de facto EMEA-region ILS peer.

Others

• Auto-Graphics: Long-standing library resource-sharing and ILS/management vendor serving state-wide consortia and public library networks; less directly competitive with TLC's flagship ILS but adjacent in shared automation, interlibrary loan, and government-library procurement ecosystems.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tlcdelivers
• Facebookfacebook.com/TLCdelivers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-library-corporation
• Pinterestpinterest.com/tlcdelivers

Compliance3 records

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 The Library Corporation