Fountaindale Public Library

What Fountaindale Public Library does

Fountaindale Public Library is a public library district chartered under Illinois law that serves residents of the Fountaindale Public Library District in Bolingbrook, Illinois, with free library cards and services funded primarily by local property taxes, state grants (notably the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity), donations, and nominal transactional fees. Established in 1970 and operating with 101-250 employees, the library serves a broad cross-section of community members across all age groups, with a notable emphasis on children, families, teens, homeschool families, teachers, seniors, and underserved populations reached through outreach.

Its core product is a comprehensive library service that combines a physical collection, a digital collection (eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music, and magazines distributed through third-party platforms including Libby, Hoopla, Freegal, Boundless, and the Palace Project app), and a digital media and maker space (Studio 300) equipped with 3D printers, sewing machines, video production gear, and circulating Sony ZV-1 cameras. The underlying technology stack is built on a Polaris library management system, a proprietary mobile application (iOS and Android) supporting multi-card family accounts, self-checkout, catalog browsing, event registration, and meeting room reservations, the Communico events calendar platform, and 24/7 automated Holds Pickup Lockers. Distribution is multi-modal: the main building at 300 W. Briarcliff Road, a Bookmobile visiting approximately 10 community locations weekly, a Library Express Van for deliveries and pop-up libraries, a drive-thru window, and a home delivery service for homebound patrons.

The business model is non-commercial: services are provided free to all district residents with a valid library card, with revenue derived from property tax levies through the Fountaindale Public Library District, supplemented by Illinois DCEO grants, Friends of Fountaindale book sale proceeds, and minor fees for ancillary services such as printing, faxing, notary services, and test proctoring. The library goes to market through community-led engagement (events, school partnerships, the Bookmobile) and direct-to-consumer delivery (physical building, mobile services, and digital platforms), with its mobile app serving as the principal self-service entry point.

Name

Fountaindale Public Library

Legal name

Fountaindale Public Library District

Website

https://fountaindale.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Fountaindale Public Library is a public library district in Bolingbrook, Illinois, providing free books, digital media, maker-space access, and community programs to district residents, funded primarily by property taxes and state grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community education programs
• Digital lending platforms
• Mobile library outreach
• Children's literacy resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Bolingbrook

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 Funding: Funded through public library district with property tax revenue from the Fountaindale Public Library District
2. Grants: Grant funding from Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO), State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel secured grants for children's services improvements
3. Friends of Fountaindale Book Sales: Proceeds from Friends of Fountaindale biannual book sales directly support library programs and materials
4. Membership/Fees: Free services to district residents. Nominal fees for some services such as printing, faxing, notary services, and test proctoring

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fountaindale Public Library District operates a public library system that lends physical and digital media (books, eBooks, audiobooks, DVDs, streaming media) and provides free access to information, educational, and cultural resources for the Bolingbrook, Illinois community. It supplements traditional lending with a maker space (Studio 300), mobile outreach (Bookmobile, Library Express Van, home delivery), 24/7 self-service access (Holds Pickup Lockers, Book Vending Machine), targeted literacy and STEAM kits for children and teens, and adult learning programs such as Career Online High School and genealogy research.

Product overview

Fountaindale Public Library operates as a comprehensive public library system offering both physical and digital services. The core offerings include a Digital Collection accessible through multiple platforms (Libby, Hoopla, Freegal, Boundless, and the Palace Project app), the Studio 300 maker space with equipment and software, the Bookmobile mobile library service, and Kids Toys & Tech (STEAMboxes). The library also provides specialized services like Tech to Go! (Wi-Fi hotspots and Rokus), Holds Pickup Lockers for 24/7 retrieval, the Lote4Kids multilingual children's book platform, an American Girl Doll Collection, and a Book Vending Machine. Additional offerings include Career Online High School, genealogy resources, eResources databases, Home Delivery Service, and Museum Passes. The Fountaindale Mobile App serves as the central hub for account management, self-checkout, event registration, and digital content access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Digital Collection (eBooks, audiobooks, eMagazines, streaming media) Digital lending service providing cardholders free access to eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, movies, and music through partner platforms including Libby, Boundless, Freegal, and Hoopla.
• Studio 300 (Maker Space) Public maker space offering free use of recording booths, 3D printers, a laser cutter, CNC router, sewing and embroidery machines, and other creative tools for district residents and makers.
• Bookmobile Mobile library branch that travels to schools, parks, and community stops throughout the district to provide library services, holds pickup, and on-site sign-ups.
• Tech to Go! (Equipment Lending) Lending program that lets patrons borrow technology such as Wi-Fi hotspots, laptops, projectors, and other devices for home or business use.
• Kids Toys & Tech (STEAMboxes) Lendable STEAM activity kits and toys designed for children and families to encourage hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math learning at home.
• Holds Pickup Lockers (24/7) Self-service outdoor lockers that allow patrons to pick up reserved library materials any time of day without entering the building.
• Lote4Kids Bilingual children's digital book platform that provides animated, narrated picture books and educational videos in multiple languages for kids aged 0–8 and the adults who care for them.
• The Palace Project Digital lending app that offers Fountaindale cardholders an additional channel to borrow eBooks and audiobooks from participating library collections.
• Fountaindale Mobile App Official mobile application that lets patrons search the catalog, place holds, manage their library account, scan items, and access digital resources from a phone or tablet.
• Lucky Day Collection Extra high-demand copies of popular books and media that are available first-come, first-served with no holds, accelerating access to bestsellers.
• DIY Book Club Kits Curated bundles of multiple copies of a single title, plus discussion questions and guides, designed for book clubs to check out and use together.
• Career Online High School Online, accredited program that allows qualifying adults to earn a high-school diploma and prepare for career certification through a library-funded scholarship.
• Genealogy Research Resources Subscribed databases, microfilm collections, and staff assistance that help patrons trace family history and local Bolingbrook-area records.
• American Girl Doll Collection Lendable historical American Girl dolls and accompanying books that bring periods of American history to life for children and homeschool families.
• Book Vending Machine Automated vending machine stocked with free books that allows community members to receive a book on demand without a library card.
• eResources (Online Databases) Subscription-based online research, learning, and homework-help databases accessible through the library website with a library card.
• Home Delivery Service Outreach service that delivers library materials to homebound seniors, residents with disabilities, and other patrons who cannot visit the library in person.
• Museum Passes Lendable passes that grant free or discounted admission to area museums and cultural institutions, available to cardholders on a first-come basis.
• Friends of Fountaindale Book Sales Periodic book sales hosted by the Friends of Fountaindale volunteer group that sell donated or withdrawn library books at low prices to raise funds for library programs.
• Free Notary Service Walk-in notarization of signatures on documents, provided free of charge by library staff during open hours.
• Driving Test Service Facility service that hosts Illinois Secretary of State driving tests at the library for district residents with a valid permit.
• Free Meals for Kids & Teens Free lunch and snack program offered to children and teens during summer and after-school periods to address food insecurity in the community.
• Baby Grand Piano Lobby-area baby grand piano made available to the public for spontaneous play, lessons, and small recitals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Bookmobile visits approximately 10 locations weekly including all Bolingbrook elementary schools
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Library AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational sponsor of National Library Outreach Day, an annual observance during National Library Week celebrating outreach services and library advocates
• Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational sponsor of National Library Outreach Day supporting bookmobile and outreach services
• Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational sponsor of National Library Outreach Day for rural and small library communities
• Valley View Community Unit School District 365UcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing Student Success library cards to all Valley View students, granting same access as regular library cards
• White Oak Library DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Valley View School District to issue Student Success library cards usable at Pinnacle libraries including Joliet, Shorewood, Lemont, Plainfield, Crest Hill, Lockport, and Romeoville
• Bolingbrook Arts CouncilcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Bolingbrook Arts Council and The Brook Theatre at Bolingbrook High School offering free community theatre tickets to library cardholders
• The Brook Theatre at Bolingbrook High SchoolcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFree community theatre tickets provided through partnership for spring musical productions
• Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFree tickets to IPO season performances for library cardholders
• American Battlefield TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper of The American Revolution Experience national traveling exhibition hosted at the library
• SwarmedminorOthersFree service connecting community members with trained beekeepers to respond to bee swarms and transport them to new homes
• Bolingbrook Garden ClubminorOthersCommunity partner for advice on native plants for pollinator-friendly gardens
• Friends of Fountaindale LibrarycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit support organization funding programs and materials through biannual book sales. Provides early access to book sales for members

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Plainfield Public Library District: Adjacent Illinois library district serving Plainfield. Direct comparable: similar district governance model, similar community profile in southwest Chicago suburbs, and member of the same Pinnacle consortium used by Fountaindale's Student Success cards.
• White Oak Library District: Illinois library district that is a documented partner of Fountaindale via the Valley View Student Success card program. Highly comparable multi-branch Illinois district with overlapping service territory and similar community programming focus.
• Naperville Public Library: Larger Illinois public library in nearby DuPage County. Comparable in offering digital collections, maker programming, and community outreach, but at significantly greater scale in a wealthier tax base; serves as a benchmark for Fountaindale's service ambitions.
• Indian Prairie Public Library: Illinois public library serving Darien and surrounding communities in the same southwest suburban corridor. Direct comparable with similar district structure, digital service offerings, and community programming model.
• Aurora Public Library: Illinois public library serving a similarly diverse, multilingual community. Comparable in its multilingual outreach, maker-style programming, and digital collection scale; relevant benchmark for Lote4Kids-style multilingual service strategy.
• Joliet Public Library: Member of the Pinnacle consortium alongside Fountaindale. Comparable Illinois public library system with overlapping digital collections access and Will County presence, providing reciprocal borrowing context for Student Success cardholders.
• Downers Grove Public Library: DuPage County public library in the same western Chicago suburban market. Comparable in offering robust digital collections, maker/STEAM programming, and community partnerships; useful peer for service breadth benchmarking.
• Wheaton Public Library: DuPage County public library with comparable Illinois district structure, programming scope, and digital service depth. Used as a peer benchmark for community engagement and outreach service design.
• Shorewood-Troy Public Library District: Illinois library district that is part of the Pinnacle consortium referenced in Fountaindale's Student Success card program. Direct comparable Will County district with similar size and district-library governance model.

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Public Library: Largest Illinois public library system. BROAD_INCUMBENT peer because Chicago Public Library operates a much broader portfolio across the city including maker labs (Maker Lab at Harold Washington), extensive digital lending, and multilingual programming that overlaps with Fountaindale's strategy but at vastly greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FountaindaleLib
• Facebookfacebook.com/fountaindalelib

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 Fountaindale Public Library