Deerfield Public Library
Deerfield Public Library is an Illinois public library district founded in 1927, serving Deerfield residents and surrounding communities with a 2-million-item catalog, MakerSpace fabrication facility, Library of Things, digital resources, and accessibility services, funded primarily by property tax levies with a FY 2026 operating budget of $5.6 million.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1927
- HeadquartersDeerfield, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Deerfield Public Library does
Deerfield Public Library is an Illinois public library district founded in 1927, headquartered in a single 920 Waukegan Rd facility in Deerfield, IL, with a FY 2026 operating budget of $5,614,400 and a staff of 61 (33 full-time, 28 part-time). It is governed by a Library Board of Trustees under the oversight of the Illinois State Library and the Village of Deerfield, and is funded primarily through property tax levies on incorporated Deerfield residents and property owners, supplemented by state grants, user fees, and donations from the Friends of the Deerfield Public Library (a 501(c)(3) supporting organization with a six-tier membership program ranging from $15 to $500+). The library serves a geographic catchment of approximately 18,000+ Deerfield residents, plus non-resident cardholders from Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and unincorporated Deerfield, and reciprocal borrowers across Illinois via the LINKin consortium and 48-state interlibrary loan network. It went fine-free in December 2020, eliminating overdue fines while retaining charges only for lost or damaged materials.
The library's core offering combines traditional collection lending (print books, audiobooks, DVDs, Blu-rays, music CDs, video games for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X) with an extensive digital collection (ebooks, e-audiobooks, streaming media, digital magazines) and subscription databases organized by General Resources, Business & Consumers, History & Genealogy, Literature & Languages, and News. A differentiated MakerSpace facility provides patron access (ages 12+) to Bambu A1 Mini and Bambu Lab P1P 3D printers, a Universal Laser Systems VLS4.60 50W CO2 laser engraver, sublimation printing, vinyl cutting, sewing/embroidery equipment, and a Digital Media Lab capable of converting 8mm/Super 8 film, audio cassettes, VHS, vinyl records, and 35mm slides to digital files. The Library of Things collection extends lending to board games, instruments, kids kits, mobile hotspots, Roku devices, robots/coding tools, and accessibility equipment. Distribution is omnichannel: physical visits, 24/7 online catalog at catalog.deerfieldlibrary.org (Aspen Discovery), iOS/Android mobile app with digital library card, curbside pickup, study and meeting rooms (eleven rooms total), and Shoutbomb SMS notifications.
Revenue is non-commercial and structurally low-risk: property tax levy, corporate personal property replacement taxes, Illinois State Library grants, user fees (printing at $0.10 B&W / $0.25 color per page side, 3D printing $0.10/gram over 50g, sublimation $2-3/page, large-format printing $5/foot), non-resident EAV-based card purchases, Friends of the Library donations, and modest gift and reserve drawdowns. Customer segments are hybrid and predominantly geographic (Deerfield residents) with secondary persona-based segments including children and youth, adults with disabilities (adaptive gaming, homebound service, Library Lifeline), Deerfield District 109 teachers (intergovernmental teacher cards), and reciprocal Illinois borrowers. Strategic direction emphasizes accessibility, digital equity, and Maker/STEAM programming rather than geographic expansion, with no M&A activity, no funding rounds, and no AI/ML capability disclosed in the data.
Deerfield Public Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Deerfield Public Library
- Legal name
- Deerfield Public Library
- Website
- https://deerfieldlibrary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1927
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Deerfield Public Library is an Illinois public library district founded in 1927, serving Deerfield residents and surrounding communities with a 2-million-item catalog, MakerSpace fabrication facility, Library of Things, digital resources, and accessibility services, funded primarily by property tax levies with a FY 2026 operating budget of $5.6 million.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Deerfield Public Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (519210), Libraries and Archives (51921)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)
Keywords
Where Deerfield Public Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Deerfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Deerfield Public Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Property Tax Revenue: Primary funding source from property tax levies for General Operating Expenditures and bond debt service for Deerfield residents and property owners.
- Non-Resident Library Cards: Residents of Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and unincorporated Deerfield can purchase library cards based on EAV multiplied by the current tax rate.
- Material and Service Fees: Fees from material replacement, damaged items, printing, 3D printing over 50 grams, and other service charges.
- State Grants: State grant funding from Illinois State Library and other government sources.
- Donations and Gifts: Gifts, donations, and Friends of the Library fundraising to supplement Library services, programs, and materials.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Black & White Printing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Color Printing |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | 3D Printing - Free Tier |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | 3D Printing - Paid Tier |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sublimation Printing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Large Format Printing |
| Subscription | Annual | Friends of the Library Membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Deerfield Public Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Deerfield Public Library provides traditional library lending of physical and digital materials (books, audiobooks, DVDs, music, video games, ebooks), a MakerSpace with fabrication equipment (3D printing, laser engraving, sewing, vinyl cutting, sublimation printing, digital media conversion), and a Library of Things (non-traditional items like instruments, hotspots, robots, accessibility equipment). Supporting services include public computers, Wi-Fi, printing, curbside pickup, study/meeting rooms, museum passes, exam proctoring, and accessibility programs for patrons with disabilities, all funded primarily through property tax levies on Deerfield residents and property owners.
Product overview
Deerfield Public Library offers a unified public library service combining traditional physical materials lending with extensive digital resources and specialized facilities. The core offering centers on the physical and digital collection (catalog of nearly 2 million items including books, media, video games, and ebooks/audiobooks), complemented by the MakerSpace (a technology fabrication facility with 3D printing, laser engraving, sewing, vinyl cutting, and sublimation), and the Library of Things (lending non-traditional items like games, instruments, hotspots, and accessibility equipment). Supporting services include public computers and Wi-Fi, printing/copying/scanning, curbside pickup, exam proctoring, meeting/study rooms, museum passes, homebound delivery, and comprehensive accessibility services including adaptive gaming equipment and assistive technology. The library participates in the LINKin consortium for interlibrary loan and offers text notifications via Shoutbomb.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Physical Library Collection Traditional library lending of print books, audiobooks on CD and Playaway formats, DVDs, Blu-rays, music CDs, video games for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and large print materials. Available to cardholders via in-person browsing, online catalog holds, and curbside pickup.
- Digital Collection (Ebooks, Audiobooks & Digital Magazines) Electronic library materials including ebooks, e-audiobooks, streaming movies, music, and digital magazines accessible through the catalog and digital lending platforms.
- Online Resources & Databases Subscription-based digital databases and resources organized by category: General Resources, Business & Consumers, History & Genealogy, Literature & Languages, and News. Includes professionally edited articles and content.
- Library Catalog (Online Public Access Catalog) Online catalog system allowing patrons to search the collection of nearly 2 million physical and virtual items, place holds, renew materials, manage accounts, and access digital library cards. Available 24/7.
- MakerSpace Multifunctional technology workspace open to patrons ages 12 and up. Includes 3D printing (Bambu A1 Mini and Bambu Lab P1P printers, free up to 50g then $0.10/gram), laser engraving (Universal Laser Systems VLS4.60), sewing and embroidery machines, vinyl cutting, sublimation printing, and a digital media lab for converting analog media to digital formats.
- Library of Things Collection of non-traditional lending materials including board games, instruments, kids kits, mobile hotspots, robots/coding equipment, Roku streaming devices, tools, and accessibility items such as sensory equipment and memory kits.
- Public Computers & Wi-Fi Desktop and laptop computers with Microsoft Office Standard 2024, internet access, and printing capability available in Youth and Adult Computer Labs. Free Wi-Fi throughout the building and surrounding grounds.
- Print, Copy, Scan & Fax Services Color and black-and-white printing and copying (10 cents per page black & white, 25 cents per page color), document scanning (free), and faxing services. Remote and wireless printing available from home via email or web upload.
- Curbside Pickup Contactless pickup service for holds and materials. Patrons schedule appointments online, park in designated spots, and call the library for staff to deliver materials to their vehicles.
- Museum Passes Program Free and discounted museum passes available to cardholders for local and regional museums and cultural institutions in Chicagoland and Illinois, including Air Classic Inc Museum of Aviation, American Writers Museum, and others. First come first served, in-person only, one pass per family per week, valid for one week.
- Exam Proctoring Free exam proctoring services for students available Monday through Saturday, requiring 48 hours advance notice.
- One.On.One Appointments Hour-long technology skills appointments for patrons to receive personalized help with devices, software, Google Suite products, and other basic technology topics.
- Study & Meeting Rooms Eight study rooms (accommodating 2-6 people) available free of charge on first-come basis, plus three larger meeting rooms for nonprofit community groups with technology equipment.
- Homebound Services (Books to Go) Free monthly delivery service for residents unable to visit the library due to illness or limiting physical conditions.
- Accessibility Services Comprehensive accessibility offerings including adaptive video gaming equipment (Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation Access Controller, Logitech Gaming Kits), Library Lifeline virtual check-ins for seniors, computer assistive technology (large print keyboards, trackball mice, video magnifiers), sensory kits, and Talking Book and Braille Service referrals.
- Programs & Events Library programming including Adult Programs, Kids' Programs, Teen Programs, MakerSpace Programs, Summer Reading Program, Seed Library, Tournament of Books, Deerfield Public Library Podcast, and Queer Poem-a-Day.
Quantifiable outcome
- Free fine-free library services since December 2020
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Deerfield Public Library
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Deerfield Public Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature5 records
Deerfield Public Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- LINKin ConsortiumcoreThe library participates in the LINKin consortium of libraries, circulating select materials including print books, audio books, DVDs, Blu-rays, music CDs, video games, and Playaways through the consortium. The library sends and receives materials through this system.
- Illinois State LibrarycoreThe library reports to and is answerable for its operations to the Illinois State Library in Springfield, Illinois, under Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias as State Librarian.
- Village of DeerfieldcoreThe Village of Deerfield serves as the Corporate Authority under Illinois law. The library board meets monthly and operates under village oversight.
- Museum Adventure Pass ProgramminorThe library participates in the Museum Adventure Pass program, offering free and discounted museum passes to cardholders for local and regional museums including Air Classic Inc Museum of Aviation, American Writers Museum, Aurora Regional Fire Museum, Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County, and others.
- Friends of the Deerfield Public LibrarycoreA 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the library's materials, services, and programs. They operate an in-person bookstore, place paperback books at Deerfield Road Train Station, fund Summer Reading Programs, and sponsor library improvements including new shelving and art installations.
- Deerfield School District 109minorIntergovernmental agreement allowing District 109 teachers to receive library cards for classroom materials access.
- Talking Book and Braille Service (TBBS)minorIllinois Braille and Talking Book State Library program providing audio and braille library service via mail or digital download for Illinois residents unable to read standard print.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Deerfield Public Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Evanston Public Library: Larger Illinois public library serving an adjacent municipality with overlapping demographics and similar metropolitan Chicago programming, including extensive maker/digital services; a scaled direct peer.
- Skokie Public Library: Established Illinois public library serving a similar suburban demographic and offering a comparable collection of traditional, digital, and Maker/STEM services including 3D printing and digital media; a direct functional peer to Deerfield's library.
- Lake Forest Library: Wealthy North Shore Illinois library serving a comparable affluent suburb; offers similar curated programs, digital lending, museum passes, and community-room reservations as Deerfield.
- Glencoe Public Library: Small North Shore Illinois public library serving Glencoe residents; comparable in scale, programming style, and funding model (property tax), making it a close operational peer.
- Park Ridge Public Library: Comparable suburban Chicago public library district with similar Illinois governance structure, property-tax funding model, and programming scale; provides a directly comparable benchmark for Deerfield.
- Wilmette Public Library District: North Shore Illinois library district of similar size and operating structure; offers comparable traditional and digital services plus community programming, making it a directly comparable suburban library peer.
- Cook Memorial Public Library District (Libertyville): Lake County Illinois library district serving a comparable suburban population with the same property-tax-funded Illinois library district governance structure; close institutional peer to Deerfield.
- Northbrook Public Library: Nearby Illinois suburban public library district serving a population similar to Deerfield, offering overlapping collections, programming, maker services, and reciprocal-borrowing arrangements within the same Chicago metropolitan area.
- Highland Park Public Library: Adjacent North Shore suburb library district of comparable size and demographics; serves a similar upper-middle-class Illinois municipality, runs a comparable set of programs and digital lending services, and competes with Deerfield for patron attention and regional visibility.
Broad incumbents
- Arlington Heights Memorial Library: Larger established Illinois public library district (memorial library) operating with broader scale and more extensive programming; not a direct size match but a relevant benchmark for service breadth in the same Illinois library ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Deerfield Public Library social profiles
Digital presenceDeerfield Public Library compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Deerfield Public Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Deerfield Public Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Deerfield Public Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Deerfield 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 Deerfield Public Library
What does Deerfield Public Library do?
Deerfield Public Library provides traditional library lending of physical and digital materials (books, audiobooks, DVDs, music, video games, ebooks), a MakerSpace with fabrication equipment (3D printing, laser engraving, sewing, vinyl cutting, sublimation printing, digital media conversion), and a Library of Things (non-traditional items like instruments, hotspots, robots, accessibility equipment). Supporting services include public computers, Wi-Fi, printing, curbside pickup, study/meeting rooms, museum passes, exam proctoring, and accessibility programs for patrons with disabilities, all funded primarily through property tax levies on Deerfield residents and property owners.
Is Deerfield Public Library a public or private company?
Deerfield Public Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Deerfield Public Library founded?
Deerfield Public Library was founded in 1927. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Deerfield Public Library based?
Deerfield Public Library is headquartered in Deerfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does Deerfield Public Library make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Property Tax Revenue is the primary driver. The others are non-Resident Library Cards, material and Service Fees, state Grants and donations and Gifts.
Who are Deerfield Public Library's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Evanston Public Library, Skokie Public Library, Lake Forest Library, Glencoe Public Library, Park Ridge Public Library, Wilmette Public Library District, Cook Memorial Public Library District (Libertyville), Northbrook Public Library and Highland Park Public Library. Arlington Heights Memorial Library is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Deerfield Public Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Deerfield Public Library.
What industry is Deerfield Public Library in?
Deerfield 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 519210.