Highland Park Public Library

What Highland Park Public Library does

Highland Park Public Library (HPPL) is a municipal public library founded in 1888 in Highland Park, Illinois, serving the city's residents, property owners, business owners, and students with free access to physical and digital collections, technology, and community programs. The library operates as a tax-funded civic institution governed by a Board of Trustees and led by Executive Director Heidi Smith, with 101–250 employees and a 125+ year operating history. Its core service portfolio spans traditional book lending, digital media streaming through OverDrive/Libby, hoopla, kanopy, and TumbleBooks, and a differentiated "Library of Things" program that lends maker equipment, laptops, hotspots, podcast kits, and creative tools alongside conventional media. The library also delivers specialized services including 3D printing, computer lab access, museum passes via Explore More Illinois, test proctoring, interlibrary loans, curbside pickup, and home delivery to homebound patrons.

The underlying technology stack is built on the Polaris integrated library system (managed by Cooperative Computer Services), supplemented by consumer-facing digital lending platforms, Zoom-based virtual programming through the Library Speakers Consortium, and Google Arts & Culture for virtual museum tours. Distribution is omnichannel: a single physical location at 494 Laurel Avenue, contactless curbside pickup, home delivery, and global digital access authenticated by library card. The business model is freemium with no fines on overdue items; free cards are issued to all eligible residents, and primary funding comes from municipal tax revenues supplemented by donations (Friends of the Library contributed $21,000 in 2025), foundation gifts (Carnegie Corporation), and state construction grants ($125,000 in 2024). The library is currently mid-execution on the "Reimagine Your Library" capital campaign (ending June 30, 2026, $1M goal) to fund a 7,800 sq ft physical expansion adding a makerspace, enhanced children's area, archive with public reading room, and the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund Community Meeting Room. Customer segments span children and families, teens, adults and seniors, local business owners, and residents needing social services support delivered through a partnership with the City of Highland Park Resiliency Division.

Name

Highland Park Public Library

Legal name

Highland Park Public Library

Website

https://hplibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1888

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Highland Park Public Library is a tax-funded municipal library in Highland Park, Illinois, serving residents with free access to physical and digital collections, maker equipment lending, digital streaming, and community programs including social services. It operates on a 125-year Carnegie Library legacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community lending programs
• Digital media lending
• Maker space services
• Children literacy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Highland Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Tax Funding: Primary funding source from local public taxes supporting library operations, collections, and services for Highland Park residents
2. Donations and Grants: Voluntary contributions from donors, the Friends of the Library organization, and foundation grants including $10,000 from Carnegie Corporation and $125,000 construction grant from Illinois Public Library Construction Fund
3. Capital Campaign Contributions: Fundraising for the Reimagine Your Library expansion project with a $1 million campaign goal

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Highland Park Public Library provides free public library services to Highland Park, Illinois residents, including physical and digital lending of books, audiobooks, movies, and music; a Library of Things featuring technology, maker equipment, and specialty items; computer lab and 3D printing access; museum passes; and community programming for all ages including storytimes, book clubs, and author events. Services are delivered through the main library building, curbside pickup, home delivery, and digital platforms, funded primarily through local public taxes, donations, and grants.

Product overview

Highland Park Public Library operates as a unified public library system offering physical and digital collections, technology services, and community programs. The core offerings include traditional book lending, digital media streaming through OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla, and Kanopy, and the Library of Things—a distinctive collection of tech gadgets and makerspace equipment available for checkout. Key products include the Podcast Kit for audio recording, computer lab access with scanning services, 3D printing, and personalized reading recommendations through Perfect Picks. The library also provides specialized services such as museum passes, social services, test proctoring, curbside pickup, and meeting room reservations. The expansion project (Reimagine Your Library) includes a new makerspace, enhanced youth areas, expanded archives, and community meeting spaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Friends of the Highland Park Public Library: A volunteer organization dedicated to enhancing the Library through funding programs, services, items, and new technology.

Products and services

• Library of Things Lending program for non-traditional library items including laptops, hotspots, podcast kits, ukuleles, karaoke machines, projectors, sewing and embroidery machines, maker equipment, and accessibility tools, available for free checkout with a library card.
• Digital Downloads and Streaming Free access to e-books, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, music, comics, and magazines through OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla Digital, Kanopy, and TumbleBooks platforms with library card authentication.
• Computer Lab Public computer workstations with printing capabilities, technical support, and photo/document scanning equipment (Epson Perfection V600) available for patron use.
• 3D Printing Service 3D printing service allowing patrons to create physical objects using library equipment, governed by an associated library policy on usage and materials.
• Perfect Picks and Perfect Picks Jr. Personalized reading and viewing recommendations where librarians compile customized lists of titles based on patron preferences, reading history, and favorite genres for adults and for children from birth through age 14.
• Curbside Pickup (Curbit) Contactless pickup service allowing patrons to reserve materials online and retrieve them without entering the library by calling 847-432-0216.
• Museum Pass Program Partnership with Explore More Illinois allowing library cardholders to reserve and print digital passes for free or discounted admission to museums and educational venues throughout Illinois.
• Meeting Room Reservations Reservable meeting rooms for community gatherings, study sessions, and events, including the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund Community Meeting Room added in the expansion project.
• Social Worker in the Library On-site Social Services Specialist from the City of Highland Park's Resiliency Division providing scheduled hours to connect residents with community resources, mental health support, and resilience services.
• Test Proctoring Proctoring service for standardized tests and exams administered to library patrons by appointment.
• Interlibrary Loans Service allowing patrons to request and borrow materials from other libraries through cooperative sharing agreements.
• Home Library Delivery (Library at Your Door) Delivery service bringing library materials directly to patrons' homes, expanding access for homebound residents and others unable to visit the library.
• Book Club Resources Support materials and resources for book clubs, including discussion guides, meeting supplies, and featured titles curated by librarians.

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Library Speakers ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirtual events platform presenting author talks and educational programs. Through this partnership, the library offers virtual events with bestselling authors including Karin Slaughter, Mark Wolynn, Kathleen Rooney, and other notable speakers.
• Cooperative Computer Services (CCS)coreTechnology or IntegrationLibrary patron records are managed through CCS Polaris system, subject to CCS Governing Board Policies. CCS provides shared library technology infrastructure for member libraries.
• Friends of the Highland Park Public LibrarycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer organization that funds programs, services, items, and new technology above and beyond the library's budget. Donated $21,000 in 2025 through community support for programs, events, and more.
• City of Highland Park Resiliency DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial Services Specialist from the City of Highland Park provides regular hours at the library to connect residents with community resources and support services through the Social Worker in the Library program.
• Explore More IllinoissupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQuipu Group-operated platform enabling digital museum pass reservations for Illinois cultural institutions. Library participates in Explore More Illinois and Museum Adventure Pass programs.
• Lake County Extension Master Gardener ProgramsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Growing a Tea Garden program, providing Master Gardener expertise on plants suitable for tea blends in the local area.
• Dandelion Artist AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtist alliance whose member Jesús Ortega leads the Linocut Print Making Workshop (Artesanía de Linograbado) program at the library.
• Glencoe Public LibrarysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint programming partnership for virtual author events, including Joyspan presentation with Dr. Kerry Burnight presented in partnership with Glencoe and Vernon Area public libraries.
• Vernon Area Public LibrarysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint programming partnership for virtual author events including Joyspan presentation with Dr. Kerry Burnight.
• Highland Park Senior CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Memory Cafe program providing sensory-engaging activities for individuals with memory loss and mild cognitive impairment. Program held at the Senior Center at 1201 Park Avenue West.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Evanston Public Library: Larger Illinois suburban public library serving an adjacent North Shore community. Provides comparable book lending, digital content access, makerspace offerings, and community programming, making it a strong direct peer in scale and mission.
• Deerfield Public Library: Adjacent North Shore suburban library with overlapping patron base and similar service offerings including digital lending, programming, and meeting space rentals. Direct regional peer serving a comparable affluent suburb.
• Park Ridge Public Library: Suburban Chicago public library with comparable collections, programming, and digital services. Operates a similar municipal funding model and serves a comparable demographic profile.
• Winnetka Public Library: North Shore library serving a similarly affluent community, with comparable service offerings and a similar fine-free or low-friction borrowing model. Strong peer for benchmarking community engagement approaches.
• Lake Forest Library: North Shore suburban library serving a similarly affluent community. Comparable in scale and mission, with traditional lending, programming, and digital collections; useful peer for benchmarking service mix.
• Wilmette Public Library: Nearby North Shore suburban library with comparable demographics and service mix including digital lending, programming, and community partnerships. Operates in the same regional cooperative environment as HPPL.
• Northbrook Public Library: Suburban Illinois public library in the same regional area with comparable service mix including digital lending, makerspace offerings, and community programming. Similar patron demographics and operating model.
• Skokie Public Library: Suburban Illinois public library of similar size serving a comparable suburban community. Offers traditional lending, digital media, programming, and a well-known Library of Things, making it a close operational and demographic peer to HPPL.
• Vernon Area Public Library: Direct programming partner of HPPL for joint virtual author events and the Joyspan series. Serves neighboring Vernon Hills-area communities and shares the regional CCS Polaris library technology platform.
• Glencoe Public Library: Direct programming partner of HPPL for joint virtual events including the Joyspan series. Operates in the same North Shore market and shares patron overlap, making it the most operationally intertwined peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/highlandparklibrary/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/hplibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/hplibrary
• Xx.com/hplibrary

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Highland Park Public Library