Bloomingdale Public Library

What Bloomingdale Public Library does

Bloomingdale Public Library (BPL) is a municipal public library serving the Village of Bloomingdale, Illinois, and surrounding DuPage County residents through reciprocal borrowing agreements. Founded in 1975 and governed by a Board of Library Trustees, the library operates from a single location at 101 Fairfield Way adjacent to Village Hall and the Police Department, with regular hours seven days per week (Sunday hours September–May). Its core offering is free public access to physical and digital collections — books, DVDs, audiobooks, video games, board games, museum passes, kits, and a specialized Foreign Language & Cultural Collection — supplemented by public computers, Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, a Makerspace with 3D printing and craft equipment, and a state-certified Monarch butterfly garden (Dominic Froio Memorial Garden, opened 2021).

The library's technology platform is built on the SWAN (Schaumburg, Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Niles) library consortium for catalog, circulation, and interlibrary loan, layered with multiple third-party digital content platforms: OverDrive/Libby via the Digital Library of Illinois, Hoopla, Kanopy, Flipster, The Palace Project (eReadIllinois), Inkie.org/BiblioBoard, TumbleBookLibrary, and TeenBookCloud. Supplementary services include Brainfuse HelpNow (live online tutoring 3–10 p.m. daily), Pronunciator (80+ languages), and proprietary research databases (Ancestry Library, Business Source Complete, LearningExpress, LinkedIn Learning, Gale Courses).

The business model is tax-funded: BPL is a public institution supported primarily by local property taxes with no fees for core services (a fines-free model with no overdue fines), supplemented by ancillary fees (printing, faxing, 3D printing at $0.05/gram, meeting room rental at $10/meeting) and fundraising through the Friends of the Library nonprofit (Individual Annual $10, Lifetime $50, Business Annual $50; book sales; commemorative bricks). Customer segments are intentionally broad: children (storytime, kits, summer reading), K-12 students (school outreach to District 13, District 93, Lake Park High School), teens (VolunTeen program, Brainfuse tutoring), adults (job/career resources, small business research, genealogy), seniors, and homebound residents (delivery service). The library's GTM motion is community-led, leveraging school partnerships, local government co-sponsorship, social media, and an annual Almanac mailer to drive program participation and card registration.

Name

Bloomingdale Public Library

Legal name

Bloomingdale Public Library

Website

https://mybpl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bloomingdale Public Library is a municipal public library serving ~22,000 residents of Bloomingdale, Illinois, with free physical and digital collections, a Makerspace, school outreach, and community programming funded primarily by local property taxes through the SWAN consortium and Digital Library of Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community library
• Digital lending
• Maker space
• Educational resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Bloomingdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Tax Funding: Bloomingdale Public Library is a public institution funded primarily through local property taxes and public funding, serving the residents of Bloomingdale, Illinois without direct user fees for core services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bloomingdale Public Library (BPL) is a municipal public library serving the Village of Bloomingdale and surrounding DuPage County residents in Illinois. It provides free access to physical and digital collections (books, audiobooks, magazines, music, video), research databases, public computers and Wi-Fi, 3D printing and a makerspace, as well as educational and cultural programming for all age groups. Library cards are free to Bloomingdale residents and to non-residents through reciprocal agreements and student cards.

Product overview

Bloomingdale Public Library operates as a traditional public library with an integrated digital content ecosystem. Its core offerings include physical library collections (books, AV materials, games) supplemented by extensive digital platforms including OverDrive/Libby, eReadIllinois/Palace Project, Kanopy, Hoopla, Flipster, TumbleBookLibrary, and TeenBookCloud for eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and streaming media. The library also provides technology services (public computers, 3D printing, makerspace), research databases, school outreach programs, and community services (meeting rooms, notary, voter registration). The digital platforms work together to provide 24/7 access to downloadable and streaming content, while physical services support in-library and community-based learning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Digital Library of Illinois (OverDrive/Libby) Digital lending platform providing access to e-books, audiobooks, e-magazines, and digital media for library cardholders through the OverDrive/Libby app.
• eReadIllinois (The Palace Project) Statewide e-book and audiobook lending consortium offered via The Palace Project mobile app, providing Illinois library cardholders with additional digital borrowing options.
• Kanopy On-demand video streaming service providing access to films, documentaries, and educational video content for library cardholders.
• Hoopla Digital media platform offering e-books, audiobooks, music, comics, movies, and TV shows with no waiting lists for library cardholders.
• Flipster Digital magazine service providing access to current and back issues of popular magazine titles for library cardholders.
• Inkie.org (BiblioBoard) Self-publishing and indie content platform through BiblioBoard enabling patron access to indie authors, local content, comics, and graphic novels.
• TumbleBookLibrary Online collection of animated, talking picture books, read-alongs, and e-books for children.
• TeenBookCloud Online collection of e-books, audiobooks, and graphic novels targeted at middle-school and teen readers.
• Research Databases Subscription-based research and learning databases including genealogy (Ancestry, HeritageQuest), language learning (Pronunciator), academic tutoring (Brainfuse), and consumer/legal/auto resources available free with a library card.
• Physical Library Collections Physical lending library of books, large-print books, audiobooks, music CDs, movies, video games, and magazines for patron borrowing with a library card.
• Public Computer and Wi-Fi Services Public-access computers with internet, Microsoft Office, and other software, plus free Wi-Fi throughout the library building for patron use.
• 3D Printing Services 3D printing service provided to patrons at a per-gram material cost, with files submitted through a managed submission process.
• BPL Makerspace On-site creative workspace providing access to tools, technology, and resources for hands-on making and learning, available to patrons by appointment.
• School Services School liaison program supporting K-12 students and educators through class visits, library card distribution, educator library cards, and curriculum support.
• Summer Reading Program Annual seasonal reading incentive program for children, teens, and adults to encourage reading during summer months.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3D printing costs $0.05/gram — well below market commercial rates
• +2 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Friends of the LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1974Friends of Bloomingdale Public Library is a nonprofit organization formed in 1974 to support the library. The group runs spring and fall book sales, manages the Perpetual Book Sale Wall, and raises funds to support programs and purchase materials. All sales benefit the library.
• SWAN Library ConsortiumcoreTechnology or IntegrationBloomingdale Public Library participates in the SWAN (Schaumburg, Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Niles) library consortium, sharing a unified catalog, circulation system, and interlibrary loan infrastructure with multiple Illinois public library systems. This enables reciprocal borrowing and access to a shared digital catalog (bdd.swanlibraries.net).
• Digital Library of Illinois (Illinois Library Systems/OverDrive)coreTechnology or IntegrationBPL participates in the Digital Library of Illinois, a statewide OverDrive consortium providing shared access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, and digital magazines. The library's Libby app integration allows seamless digital borrowing.
• Local Schools (Lake Park High School, Glenbard East/North, Westfield Middle School, Marquardt Middle School)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBPL maintains active partnerships with local K-12 schools including Lake Park High School, Glenbard East High School, Glenbard North High School, Westfield Middle School, and Marquardt Middle School. Services include summer reading list coordination, classroom book deliveries (Bag of Books), author celebrations, and school visits by librarians.
• Illinois Libraries Present (ILP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIllinois Libraries Present is a statewide collaborative providing high-quality virtual programs featuring authors, historians, and entertainers across participating Illinois public libraries. BPL participates in Season 6 (2026-2027) featuring events with Karen Hao, Geoffrey Baer, Dr. Eve L. Ewing, and Sasheer Zamata.
• Village of BloomingdalemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Village of Bloomingdale is a co-sponsor of the Summer Concert Series held in the Dominic Froio Memorial Garden. The library is located adjacent to Village Hall and the Police Department, sharing the municipal campus at 101 Fairfield Way. The Bloomingdale Business Promotion and Cultural Development Committee sponsors the Commemorative Brick Program.
• Bloomingdale Business Promotion and Cultural Development CommitteeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThis Village of Bloomingdale committee sponsors the Commemorative Brick Program at the Dominic Froio Memorial Garden, enabling community members to purchase engraved bricks installed in the library's outdoor garden space.
• OverDrive/LibbycoreTechnology or IntegrationOverDrive is the digital lending platform powering the Digital Library of Illinois. BPL provides access to eBooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines through the Libby app (Android, Apple, Amazon Fire). Loan periods of 7, 14, or 21 days are available.
• KanopycoreTechnology or IntegrationKanopy provides BPL patrons with streaming access to TV shows and movies. Patrons receive 10 checkouts (credits) per month. Each checkout allows 3 days of streaming. Available via Android, Apple, and Amazon Fire apps.
• HooplacoreTechnology or IntegrationHoopla provides BPL patrons with eBooks (21-day loan), audiobooks (21-day loan), and music (7-day loan) through a digital lending platform. Patrons receive 10 checkouts per month.
• The Palace Project (eReadIllinois)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe Palace Project (formerly eReadIllinois) is an additional eBook and audiobook lending platform available to BPL cardholders. Materials check out for 14 days. Available via web browser and mobile app.
• FlipstercoreTechnology or IntegrationFlipster provides BPL patrons with access to digital magazines. Weekly digital magazine titles expire in 2 days; monthly or seasonal titles expire in 7 days. Available via Android, Apple, and Kindle Fire apps.
• Pronunciator (Language Learning)coreTechnology or IntegrationPronunciator provides online language learning covering 80+ languages, including English as a Second Language (learnable through 50 non-English languages). Includes live conversation groups and downloadable phrasebooks. Library ID required for access.
• Brainfuse HelpNowcoreTechnology or IntegrationBrainfuse HelpNow provides live online homework help and writing assistance for students in grades K-12 and college intro classes, available 3:00-10:00 p.m. daily. Also offers 24/7 Writing Lab, Homework Question Center, Skills Building, and Foreign Language Lab.
• Ancestry Library / FamilySearchcoreTechnology or IntegrationBPL provides in-library access to Ancestry Library (genealogical research including census data) and is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, granting access to millions of locked FamilySearch digital records through the library's computers and Wi-Fi.
• Local Community Organizations (Volunteer Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBPL maintains a community volunteer page linking to local organizations including Almost Home Foundation, Anderson Animal Shelter, Bloomingdale Lions Club, Bloomingdale Park District, Central DuPage Hospital, DuPage PADS, Feed My Starving Children, Literacy DuPage, and others, facilitating community volunteerism.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Schaumburg Township District Library: Founding SWAN consortium member (Schaumburg, Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Niles) sharing the unified catalog and circulation backend with BPL. Directly comparable as a SWAN member library and broader Illinois public library serving a nearby Chicago suburb with overlapping digital content access and school partnerships.
• Roselle Public Library District: Neighboring DuPage/cook county-border public library district serving a comparable suburban village population. Directly comparable because both libraries are tax-funded Illinois public libraries offering similar physical and digital collections to overlapping residential demographics.
• Carol Stream Public Library: Adjacent DuPage County municipality public library serving a similar-sized suburban community. Directly comparable because it offers the same core service mix — physical lending, digital consortia access, school partnerships, community programming — and competes for the same DuPage County resident pool.
• Glen Ellyn Public Library: Neighboring DuPage County public library of comparable size and budget, serving a similar suburban population with the same mix of physical collections, digital lending, school outreach, and community programming. Directly comparable because both are small-to-mid-sized Illinois public libraries serving affluent western Chicago suburbs.
• Arlington Heights Memorial Library: Founding SWAN consortium member sharing the unified catalog and infrastructure with BPL. Directly comparable because both libraries operate on the same backend systems, share reciprocal borrowing, and serve comparable suburban Chicago populations with the same service mix.
• Downers Grove Public Library: DuPage County public library serving a comparable suburban municipality with a similar mix of services. Directly comparable as a tax-funded Illinois public library serving an overlapping DuPage County resident base with collections, digital lending, and community programming.
• Elmhurst Public Library: DuPage County public library of similar scale serving a comparable affluent suburban population. Directly comparable as a tax-funded Illinois public library offering the same core services — lending, digital, school outreach, programs — and competing for overlapping regional demographics.
• Wheaton Public Library: DuPage County seat public library, also a SWAN consortium member, sharing the same shared catalog and circulation infrastructure as BPL. Directly comparable because it operates the identical backend systems, participates in the same Digital Library of Illinois consortium, and serves a comparable DuPage County resident base.
• Addison Public Library: Nearby DuPage County public library serving a similar suburban Chicago suburb. Directly comparable as a tax-funded public library of comparable scale offering physical collections, digital lending, school outreach, and community programming to the same DuPage regional population.

Broad incumbents

• Naperville Public Library: Larger DuPage County public library system serving a much bigger population in the same county. Comparable because it operates in the same tax-funded Illinois public library space, serves overlapping regional demographics, and offers a similar (but broader) collection, digital, and programming mix as BPL — though at a meaningfully larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BloomingdaleLibrary
• Facebookfacebook.com/bloomingdalepubliclibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/mybpl
• Xx.com/mybpl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bloomingdale-public-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Bloomingdale Public Library