Kent District Library

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

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

• Public library services
• Community programming
• Digital lending platform
• STEAM education
• Interlibrary loan network

Headquarters

HQ city

Comstock Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding (Millage): Primary funding from property tax millage approved by voters, providing free access to all library services
2. 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
3. Sponsorships: Businesses can sponsor programs, wish list items, or events for charitable giving and community visibility
4. Shop KDL (Merchandise): Online store selling library merchandise and branded items

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kids' Food BasketcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026KDL 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 ParkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Referenced in Stump the Librarian podcast for local STEAM and nature education content related to Meijer Gardens.
• AYA Youth CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026Month-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 HallminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026Book 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2025Partnership 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 MichiganminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 July 2025Partnership provides home-delivered meals, Senior Pantry access, and community dining sites for seniors in Kent and Allegan Counties to maintain independence and community connection.
• MomsBloomminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Local 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 ConnectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2025Step2 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 MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2025Gather 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2025DAKC'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 NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2025Donated 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 SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2025Co-presenter of Creating Native Habitats program teaching about native plants and wildlife attraction for sustainable gardening.
• Rockford Garden ClubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2025Presents Garden Basics program covering soil preparation, plant care, and gardening tools for beginners.
• MSU Kent ExtensionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2025Partnership 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

Direct 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/KentDistrictLibrary
• Xx.com/KDLNews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kent-district-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Kent District Library