Kent District Library
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersComstock Park, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
Kent District Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kent District Library
- Legal name
- Kent District Library
- Website
- https://kdl.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kent District Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)
Keywords
Where Kent District Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Comstock Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices12 records
Markets served
Kent District Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Public Funding (Millage): Primary funding from property tax millage approved by voters, providing free access to all library services
- Donations and Planned Giving: Unrestricted gifts allow library to direct funds where most needed; includes bequests, charitable IRA distributions, gifts from estates, honor and memorial gifts, and book dedications
- Sponsorships: Businesses can sponsor programs, wish list items, or events for charitable giving and community visibility
- Shop KDL (Merchandise): Online store selling library merchandise and branded items
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free Library Services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels7 records
Kent District Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kent District Library provides free public library services to Kent County, Michigan residents through 20 branch locations and a Bookmobile. Its core offering is free access to physical and digital library collections (books, audiobooks, movies, music, games, magazines), digital content platforms (Libby, hoopla, Kanopy), educational databases (Rosetta Stone, LinkedIn Learning, Morningstar), and community programming for all age groups from birth to seniors. Services are funded primarily through voter-approved property tax millage.
Product overview
Kent District Library is a public library system serving Kent County, Michigan with 20 branches offering physical and digital collections, programs, and community services. The library operates primarily through its BiblioCommons-powered catalog and member apps including Libby and hoopla for digital content, along with specialized platforms like Kanopy for streaming video, KDL Vibes for local music, and the What's Next Database for series information. KDL offers educational digital resources including Rosetta Stone language learning, LinkedIn Learning for professional development, and Morningstar Investing Center for financial research. The library runs numerous community programs including Summer Wonder and Let It Snow reading programs, Write Michigan writing contests, KDL Lab STEAM education, and the Stump the Librarian family podcast. Additional services include the Seed Library, PerkPass attraction discounts, Talking Book & Braille Center accessibility services, and free meal programs through partnerships with Feeding America West Michigan.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Kent District Library Public Library Services Public library system serving Kent County, Michigan with 20 branches offering books, digital content, programs, and community services to all residents free of charge.
Quantifiable outcome
- Every $100 donated puts baby board books and resources into hands of 30 families with newborns
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Kent District Library
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kent District Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Feature3 records
Kent District Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Kids' Food BasketcoreKDL partners with Kids' Food Basket to provide Sack Suppers at the Library program, offering free evening meals for children and teens at select branches through September 1. Program helps ensure food security when school is not in session.
- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture ParkminorReferenced in Stump the Librarian podcast for local STEAM and nature education content related to Meijer Gardens.
- AYA Youth CollectiveminorMonth-long hygiene product drive at all 20 KDL branches supports Grand Rapids nonprofit serving youth ages 14-24 experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
- DeVos Performance HallminorBook drive partnership at Dog Man The Musical event. Donated books support KDL's Little Free Libraries across Kent County.
- MSPE (Michigan Society of Professional Engineers)corePartnership to expand KDL Lab Experiences through STEAM education programming. MSPE partners showcase professional applications of STEAM at KDL Lab Expo events.
- Meals on Wheels Western MichiganminorPartnership provides home-delivered meals, Senior Pantry access, and community dining sites for seniors in Kent and Allegan Counties to maintain independence and community connection.
- MomsBloomminorLocal nonprofit provides practical in-home support for families with newborns through trained Postpartum Aides. 95% of clients report lower stress levels after program participation.
- North Kent ConnectminorStep2 program provides one-on-one case management partnerships to help individuals achieve self-sufficiency goals in housing, family, health, finances, education, or employment.
- Feeding America West MichigancoreGather 2 Grow program provides free grab-and-go lunches for youth ages 0-18 and adults with disabilities through age 26 at KDL branches during summer months (June-August). Partnership addresses child hunger and summer learning loss.
- Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC)coreDAKC's Test Pilot volunteer program partners with KDL to improve accessibility in public spaces. Test Pilots examine locations and provide feedback on user-friendliness for individuals with disabilities.
- Michigan Seed Library NetworkminorDonated One Seed, One State selection (Little Finger Carrot) to KDL's Seed Library, which offers vegetable, fruit, herb, grain, and flower seeds to promote sustainability.
- Michigan Audubon SocietyminorCo-presenter of Creating Native Habitats program teaching about native plants and wildlife attraction for sustainable gardening.
- Rockford Garden ClubminorPresents Garden Basics program covering soil preparation, plant care, and gardening tools for beginners.
- MSU Kent ExtensionminorPartnership for Arbor Day weekend tree planting program, including education on selecting healthy nursery trees and Michigan native species.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Kent District Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Grand Rapids Public Library: Municipal public library serving the city of Grand Rapids within Kent County; directly overlaps KDL's service area and competes for patron mindshare, programs, and shared community partners.
- Ann Arbor District Library: Michigan district library with millage funding, multiple branches, and similar digital content offerings (Libby, hoopla, Kanopy); operates as a similarly scaled district model with comparable community programming.
- Capital Area District Libraries: Michigan district library system serving the Lansing region with multiple branches and similar demographic programs; compares directly on district structure, funding model, and community programming breadth.
- Kalamazoo Public Library: Michigan municipal public library with comparable branch footprint and digital content stack; comparable patron services, programs, and millage-style funding model.
- Ypsilanti District Library: Michigan district library with millage funding and a multi-branch footprint; comparable governance structure and community programming focus to KDL.
Broad incumbents
- Detroit Public Library: Larger Michigan public library system with a multi-branch urban footprint; broader incumbent in the same state and category, with overlapping digital and educational programming.
- Indianapolis Public Library: Large Midwest municipal public library with extensive branches and digital services; comparable on program breadth and community partnership model, though operating in a larger urban geography.
- Columbus Metropolitan Library: Large Ohio metropolitan library system recognized for programming, digital services, and major capital expansion; comparable as a multi-branch district library with strong community engagement.
- Cuyahoga County Public Library: Large Ohio county-level library system with 27 branches and a similar tax-funded operating model; directly comparable on district structure, scale, and digital content investments.
Regional players
- Madison Public Library: Wisconsin municipal public library of comparable branch scale and community programming emphasis; serves as a like-for-like Midwest peer though in a different state.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kent District Library social profiles
Digital presenceKent District Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kent District Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Kent District Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kent District 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 Kent District Library
What does Kent District Library do?
Kent District Library provides free public library services to Kent County, Michigan residents through 20 branch locations and a Bookmobile. Its core offering is free access to physical and digital library collections (books, audiobooks, movies, music, games, magazines), digital content platforms (Libby, hoopla, Kanopy), educational databases (Rosetta Stone, LinkedIn Learning, Morningstar), and community programming for all age groups from birth to seniors. Services are funded primarily through voter-approved property tax millage.
Is Kent District Library a public or private company?
Kent District Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Kent District Library founded?
Kent District Library was founded in 1969. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Kent District Library based?
Kent District Library is headquartered in Comstock Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kent District Library make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Public Funding (Millage) is the primary driver. The others are donations and Planned Giving, sponsorships and shop KDL (Merchandise).
Who are Kent District Library's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Grand Rapids Public Library, Ann Arbor District Library, Capital Area District Libraries, Kalamazoo Public Library and Ypsilanti District Library. Broad incumbents are Detroit Public Library, Indianapolis Public Library, Columbus Metropolitan Library and Cuyahoga County Public Library. Madison Public Library is listed as a regional player.
Does Kent District Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kent District Library.
What industry is Kent District Library in?
Kent District 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 EDAAAFAA, Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries). Its NAICS code is 51921.