Mid-Columbia Libraries
Mid-Columbia Libraries is a publicly funded municipal library system operating 14 branches across Benton, Franklin, and Adams Counties in Washington State, delivering free physical and digital collections and community programming to residents since 1949.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1949
- HeadquartersKennewick, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Mid-Columbia Libraries does
Mid-Columbia Libraries is a publicly funded municipal library system headquartered in Kennewick, Washington, operating 14 branch locations across Benton County (excluding the city of Richland), Franklin County, and the Othello area of Adams County. Founded in 1949 and operated as a government entity under a Board of Trustees, the system delivers free physical and digital library services to residents within its statutory service area. Core offerings include a Polaris-powered integrated library catalog (catalog.midcolumbialibraries.org) supporting patron accounts, holds, renewals, and reading history; OverDrive for eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines; streaming video; a Library of Things for non-traditional checkouts; interlibrary loan; curbside pickup at multiple branches; a drive-thru window at West Pasco; and homebound delivery service for patrons unable to visit branches. Community programming is a substantial offering, with storytimes, a Summer Reading Challenge on Beanstack, LEGO Club, Gaming Guild, fiber-arts programs, bilingual/Spanish-language collections, and partnerships with OMSI, Moonshot Brewery, and the Community Autism Support Partners (C.A.S.P.) extending programming off-site and into special-needs communities.
The technology stack is composed entirely of third-party SaaS and infrastructure: Polaris ILS for library management, OverDrive for digital lending, Comprise SmartPay for online fee payments, Mosio for chat-based reference, and Beanstack for reading-challenge tracking. There is no disclosed proprietary technology, no AI/ML capability, no mobile application, and no public-facing API; integrations are conventional and bounded. Operations are supported by SmartPay for payments, an online patron registration portal, and public-facing services such as meeting-room reservations and a Library Grab Bag request form.
The business model is publicly funded rather than commercial: the system is financed through local property-tax revenues, state library funding, donations routed through the Friends of Mid-Columbia Libraries nonprofit and the Associate Director of Advocacy and Development, and modest fee revenue from non-resident library cards and material-replacement charges. Late fines have been eliminated as a matter of policy, removing that revenue lever entirely. Services are free at the point of use for residents, and there is no traditional go-to-market, sales motion, or paid customer segment — the relevant "customer" is the resident population, and the relevant risk is budgetary/political rather than commercial.
Mid-Columbia Libraries firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mid-Columbia Libraries
- Legal name
- Mid-Columbia Libraries
- Website
- https://midcolumbialibraries.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1949
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Mid-Columbia Libraries is a publicly funded municipal library system operating 14 branches across Benton, Franklin, and Adams Counties in Washington State, delivering free physical and digital collections and community programming to residents since 1949.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mid-Columbia Libraries industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (519210)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE)
Keywords
Where Mid-Columbia Libraries is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kennewick
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices13 records
Markets served
Mid-Columbia Libraries business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Public Library Funding: Mid-Columbia Libraries is a publicly funded library system serving Benton County (excluding Richland), Franklin County, and the Othello area in Adams County, Washington. Services are free to residents within the service area. Non-residents may pay a fee for library cards.
- Library Fees and Fines: Library fees collected for various services including replacement costs for lost/damaged materials. Late fines have been eliminated per policy.
- Non-Resident Card Fees: Individuals outside the service area may obtain library cards by paying a non-resident fee.
- Donations and Grants: Accepts cash donations through Associate Director of Advocacy and Development. Friends of Mid-Columbia Libraries accepts material donations and raises funds.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free library services for service area residents |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Mid-Columbia Libraries product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mid-Columbia Libraries operates a public library system providing free access to physical and digital materials through 14 branch locations and a 24/7 online catalog. Core services include lending of books, eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and streaming video, supplemented by community programming such as storytimes, reading challenges, craft programs, and educational events. The system also offers library card registration, interlibrary loans, curbside pickup, homebound services, and meeting room reservations across Benton, Franklin, and Adams counties in Washington State.
Product overview
Mid-Columbia Libraries operates as a unified public library system offering both physical and digital services across 14 branch locations in Washington state. The core offering consists of the Polaris-powered catalog for material discovery and borrowing, supplemented by digital content through OverDrive (eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines) and streaming video services. Core services include traditional library lending, digital resource access, Curbside Pickup, Homebound Services, and Interlibrary Loans. The system serves Benton County, Franklin County, and the Othello area in Adams County, with a mission-focused emphasis on early literacy through Storytime Programs and Summer Reading Challenges for children, diverse collections including a dedicated Spanish Collection, and community programs like LEGO Club and Library Gaming Guild.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Polaris Library Catalog Online public access catalog (OPAC) for searching and discovering books, media, and other materials across all library branches. Available 24/7 with advanced search options, holds management, and account access for library cardholders.
- Digital Resources Collection of online databases, digital collections, and electronic resources accessible with a library card, including research databases and digital archives for library patrons.
- eBooks (OverDrive) Digital book lending service powered by OverDrive, offering fiction, non-fiction, and more for download to e-readers and apps for library cardholders.
- eAudiobooks (OverDrive) Digital audiobook lending service powered by OverDrive, featuring a wide range of titles for download to mobile devices for library patrons.
- eMagazines (OverDrive) Digital magazine lending service powered by OverDrive, providing access to popular magazine titles for library cardholders.
- Streaming Video Video streaming service for movies, documentaries, and other video content accessible with a library card.
- Curbside Pickup Contactless pickup service allowing patrons to request materials and retrieve them from library parking lots without entering the building, available at multiple branches including Basin City, Merrill's Corner, and West Pasco.
- Homebound Services Delivery and pickup service for patrons who are unable to visit the library due to illness, disability, or other circumstances.
- Interlibrary Loans Service that obtains materials from other library systems when items are not available in the local collection for library cardholders.
- Library of Things Collection of non-traditional items available for checkout including tools, equipment, and other practical items for library cardholders.
- Summer Reading Challenge Annual summer reading program encouraging community reading with prizes, events, and activities for all ages, managed through the Beanstack platform.
- Storytime Programs Early literacy programs for children including Baby Storytime, Toddler Storytime, and Preschool Storytime, featuring stories, songs, and activities at multiple branch locations.
- Spanish Collection (Colección en español) Spanish-language materials including books, media, and electronic resources serving the Spanish-speaking community in the library's service area.
- Library Card Services Library card registration and management, including online registration, account access, fee payment, and renewal services for new and existing patrons.
- Meeting Room Reservations Reservation system for library meeting rooms and community spaces at various branch locations for public use.
Companies that use Mid-Columbia Libraries
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Mid-Columbia Libraries technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature4 records
Mid-Columbia Libraries partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Moonshot BreweryminorMoonshot Brewery partners with the library for the Craft Collective program, hosting crafting events at their venue (8804 W Victoria Ave #140, Kennewick, WA 99336).
- OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)minorOMSI partners with Mid-Columbia Libraries to host the OMSI Science Festival at library branches, bringing hands-on science activities for children ages 6-12.
- Friends of Mid-Columbia LibrariescoreFriends of Mid-Columbia Libraries is a nonprofit support organization that accepts gently used material donations at local branches. The organization raises funds and advocates for the library system.
- Desert Fiber Arts GuildminorDesert Fiber Arts Guild partners with the Kennewick library for the Fiber & Friends program, providing fiber arts instruction and community for adult crafters.
- Community Autism Support Partners (C.A.S.P.)minorC.A.S.P. offers Family Connection Night program at the Pasco library, providing social opportunities for parents and their children and teens on the autism spectrum.
- Benton Franklin TransitminorBenton Franklin Transit provides public transit routes to multiple library branches, improving accessibility for patrons without personal transportation.
- Sara Schwan (Associate Director of Advocacy and Development)coreIndividual staff member who handles cash donations and material donation inquiries for Mid-Columbia Libraries.
- Nancy Klotz (Desert Fiber Arts Guild)minorContact person for Fiber & Friends program inquiries at [email protected] or [email protected].
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Mid-Columbia Libraries competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pikes Peak Library District: Colorado special library district operating 15+ branches across El Paso County. Closely comparable in branch count, mix of urban and rural service points, and community-programming emphasis to Mid-Columbia.
- Allen County Public Library: Indiana public library system widely cited as a benchmark mid-sized system with strong programming, digital lending, and community partnerships. Closely comparable in scale and operating philosophy to Mid-Columbia.
Broad incumbents
- King County Library System: The largest library system in Washington State, operating 50+ branches in the Seattle metropolitan area. Directly comparable public-library operating model (free service area, branches, programming, OverDrive/Libby digital lending) but at substantially greater scale than Mid-Columbia.
- Multnomah County Library: Oregon's largest public library system, serving the Portland metro area. Operates a comparable branch-plus-digital model and serves as a Pacific Northwest peer for benchmarking scale, programming depth, and digital lending performance.
- Hennepin County Library: Minnesota county library system serving the Minneapolis metro area with 40+ branches. Comparable public-library service model but at significantly larger scale, useful as a 'north star' for what scaled Mid-Columbia programming could look like.
- Salt Lake County Library: County library system serving Salt Lake County, Utah, with 20+ branches and robust community programming. Comparable multi-branch, county-funded public library operating model at a slightly larger scale than Mid-Columbia.
Regional players
- Tacoma Public Library: Washington-state municipal library serving Tacoma and Pierce County. Comparable public-library mission, branch network, and digital lending stack, with overlapping regional funder base and similar Tri-Cities-adjacent demographics profile.
- Spokane County Library District: County-level library district serving Spokane County, Washington, with a multi-branch physical footprint and digital lending. Directly comparable as a Washington public library district of similar scale to Mid-Columbia.
- Whatcom County Library System: Washington-state rural/mixed county library system with multiple branches and a focus on serving small communities. Closely comparable to Mid-Columbia in its mix of urban and rural branches and its multi-county service area in Washington.
- Indianapolis Public Library: Mid-sized municipal library system in Indianapolis-Marion County with comparable branch count and community programming emphasis. Useful as a peer for programming breadth and urban-branch economics.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Mid-Columbia Libraries social profiles
Digital presenceMid-Columbia Libraries financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mid-Columbia Libraries leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Mid-Columbia Libraries funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mid-Columbia Libraries 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 Mid-Columbia Libraries
What does Mid-Columbia Libraries do?
Mid-Columbia Libraries operates a public library system providing free access to physical and digital materials through 14 branch locations and a 24/7 online catalog. Core services include lending of books, eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and streaming video, supplemented by community programming such as storytimes, reading challenges, craft programs, and educational events. The system also offers library card registration, interlibrary loans, curbside pickup, homebound services, and meeting room reservations across Benton, Franklin, and Adams counties in Washington State.
Is Mid-Columbia Libraries a public or private company?
Mid-Columbia Libraries is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Mid-Columbia Libraries founded?
Mid-Columbia Libraries was founded in 1949.
Where is Mid-Columbia Libraries based?
Mid-Columbia Libraries is headquartered in Kennewick, United States, in the North America region.
How does Mid-Columbia Libraries make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Public Library Funding is the primary driver. The others are library Fees and Fines, non-Resident Card Fees and donations and Grants.
Who are Mid-Columbia Libraries's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pikes Peak Library District and Allen County Public Library. Broad incumbents are King County Library System, Multnomah County Library, Hennepin County Library and Salt Lake County Library. Regional players are Tacoma Public Library, Spokane County Library District, Whatcom County Library System and Indianapolis Public Library.
Does Mid-Columbia Libraries have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mid-Columbia Libraries.
What industry is Mid-Columbia Libraries in?
Mid-Columbia Libraries's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management, with a secondary code of EDAEAGAL, Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support). Its NAICS code is 519210 and its SIC code is 8200.