What Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library does

Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library is a public library system serving the communities of Stow and Munroe Falls in Summit County, Ohio. Funded primarily through local tax dollars, the library operates from a single facility at 3512 Darrow Road in Stow and provides free access to physical materials, digital content, research databases, community programming, and meeting spaces to all cardholders. The library serves a horizontal customer base segmented by age (children, teens, adults) and use case (homebound, community groups), with supplemental outreach through a Bookmobile, homebound delivery, and 24-hour self-service pickup lockers.

The library's technology stack is built on the CLEVNET regional consortium integrated library system, which provides shared catalog, circulation, and digital content services across multiple Ohio library systems. Patrons access digital content through three core platforms: Libby/OverDrive (eBooks, audiobooks, magazines), hoopla (digital media including movies, music, comics, and audiobooks), and Kanopy (streaming video including documentaries, independent films, and educational content). Additional services include mobile WiFi hotspot lending, a seed library, museum passes, research databases (LinkedIn Learning, A to Z Databases), and tech help services. The library maintains a specialized Local History collection comprising community records, genealogy resources, photo collections, and yearbooks.

The revenue model is predominantly public tax funding with five supplementary streams: Foundation donations (via the 501(c)(3) Stow-Munroe Falls Library Foundation, established 1994), Friends of the Library revenue (via a separate 501(c)(3) supporting programs through book sales), fee-based services (notary, passport processing, printing), and meeting room rentals. The library is governed by a Board of Trustees and supported by volunteer boards for both affiliated nonprofits. No venture capital, private equity, or parent company ownership is indicated. The Foundation operates with a 15-member board meeting monthly, and capital projects (such as the 32-locker 24-hour pickup system) are funded outside the operating budget through Foundation grants and external grant funders.

Name

Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library

Legal name

Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library

Website

https://smfpl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library is a public library system in Summit County, Ohio, providing free physical and digital library services, community programming, and outreach to residents of Stow and Munroe Falls through local tax funding and two affiliated nonprofit support organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community programming
• Digital library access
• Children's education
• Library collections

Headquarters

HQ city

Stow

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Tax Funding: Primary operational funding from local tax dollars supporting daily library operations as a public institution.
2. Foundation Donations: The Stow-Munroe Falls Library Foundation (501(c)(3)) raises funds for significant capital projects outside the operating budget, including the 24-hour pickup lockers, outdoor improvements, and facility enhancements.
3. Friends of the Library Revenue: The Friends of the Library (501(c)(3)) generates revenue through book sales, puzzle sales, and donations to fund community programs including children's, teen, and adult programming.
4. Fee-Based Services: Revenue from notary services, passport processing, printing, and other fee-based services for patrons.
5. Meeting Room Rental: Revenue from renting meeting room spaces to community groups and organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library is a public library system providing free access to physical and digital materials, educational programs, and community services to residents of Stow and Munroe Falls, Ohio. Core offerings include lending of books and media, digital content (eBooks, audiobooks, streaming video), research databases, children and teen programming, community meeting spaces, bookmobile outreach, and fee-based services including notary and passport processing.

Product overview

Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library is a public library system providing a comprehensive range of physical and digital services to the Stow and Munroe Falls community in Ohio. The library operates as part of the CLEVNET consortium and offers multiple integrated digital platforms for accessing eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, streaming video (Kanopy), and digital media (Hoopla). Core services include traditional library borrowing, research databases, children's and teen programming, community outreach via a bookmobile, 24-hour pickup lockers, tech help, meeting room reservations, and specialized services such as passport acceptance, notary services, accessibility accommodations, and seed library. The library is supported by two non-profit organizations—the Library Foundation (501(c)(3), established 1994) and the Friends of the Library—funding significant projects and programs that enhance services beyond operating budget.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 24-Hour Pickup Lockers Automated self-service pickup lockers installed outside the library enabling patrons to retrieve holds 24/7. The secure unit includes a screen for self-service and 32 lockers, providing greater privacy for sensitive materials.
• eBooks & Digital Media (Libby/OverDrive) Digital collection of eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines accessible via the Libby app or OverDrive platform. Digital audiobooks and eBooks check out for 21 days and auto-return. Available with library card authentication.
• Hoopla Digital Streaming and download service for eBooks, comics, music, digital audiobooks, movies, and TV shows available free with a library card. Available on Google Play and iTunes app stores.
• Kanopy Streaming Video Video streaming platform featuring British mysteries, PBS series, documentaries, The Great Courses, world cinema, cult classics, Sesame Street, and hard-to-find titles. Available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast.
• Hotspot Lending Mobile WiFi hotspot devices available for checkout, enabling patrons to access internet outside the library.
• Seed Library Community seed sharing program allowing patrons to borrow seeds to grow plants and vegetables, promoting gardening and sustainability.
• Museum Passes & Tickets Discounted or free passes to local museums and attractions available for checkout with library card.
• Bookmobile & Outreach Services Traveling library service bringing books, materials, and library services to neighborhoods and community locations.
• Tech Help Technology assistance services helping patrons with digital literacy, device setup, and troubleshooting.
• Research Databases Online research resources including K-12 databases, general databases, and specialized research tools (LinkedIn Learning, A to Z Databases) accessible with library card.
• Local History & Genealogy Historical resources including Community Church News, Recipe Book, Genealogy Links, Photo Collections, Videos, Obituaries, Stow Press, Summit Memory, Walking Tour, and Yearbooks.
• Children's Services (Spike's Place) Age-appropriate programs including Story Time, Beats and Bounces, Reading Programs, Parent-Teacher Resources, Play and Learn Place, and Tween Spot.
• Teen Services Services for teens including eBooks, events, programs, and Teen Advisory Board.
• Meeting Rooms Bookable rooms for community groups and individuals, including study rooms and individual study pods for Zoom calls.
• Printing & Scanning Document printing and scanning services available to patrons on a pay-per-page basis.
• Passport Services Passport application acceptance and processing services available to the community.
• Accessibility Services Inclusive services and accommodations for patrons with disabilities, including accessible facilities and materials.
• EV Charging Station Electric vehicle charging infrastructure available at the library facility.
• Homebound Delivery Library material delivery service for patrons unable to visit the library due to illness or disability.
• Bestsellers Club Program offering access to popular new book releases for library cardholders.
• Summer Reading Program Annual reading incentive program for all ages running June 1 through August 1, themed 'Unearth a Story'.
• Notary Service Notary services available to patrons for a fee.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free digital and physical library access for all community members

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• CLEVNETcoreTechnology or IntegrationRegional library consortium of Cuyahoga County libraries providing shared catalog, circulation systems, and digital content platforms including OverDrive/Libby access across member libraries.
• OverDrive/LibbycoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital lending platform providing eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines accessible through the Libby app and clevnet.overdrive.com website.
• hooplacoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital media platform offering movies, TV, music, eBooks, and audiobooks accessible through hoopla's app and website with library card authentication.
• KanopycoreTechnology or IntegrationStreaming video service featuring documentaries, independent films, educational content, PBS series, and The Great Courses accessible at smfpl.kanopy.com.
• Akron Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts the Library Foundation's endowment fund, enabling long-term financial sustainability and legacy giving programs.
• Friends of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting library programs through book sales, donations, and volunteer efforts. Funds children's, teen, and adult programming.
• Stow-Munroe Falls Library FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 that raises funds for significant capital projects (lockers, outdoor improvements, murals, furniture) outside the library's operating budget.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Akron-Summit County Public Library: Larger public library system serving Summit County, Ohio, and a fellow CLEVNET consortium member. Directly comparable as a county-level public library providing overlapping physical and digital services in the same region.
• Cuyahoga County Public Library: Major CLEVNET consortium member and one of Ohio's largest public library systems. Highly comparable as a CLEVNET partner offering shared digital content platforms and similar community programming models.
• Cleveland Public Library: Independent Ohio urban public library and CLEVNET member serving Cleveland. Comparable as a public library system operating with CLEVNET infrastructure and providing broad physical/digital community services.
• Kent Free Library: Neighboring Portage County public library serving Kent, Ohio, and a fellow CLEVNET member. Directly comparable in scale and service model for a single-municipality Ohio public library.
• Twinsburg Public Library: Nearby Summit County public library in Twinsburg, Ohio, and a CLEVNET member. Highly comparable as a similarly-sized suburban Ohio public library using the same shared services infrastructure.
• Hudson Library & Historical Society: Suburban Summit County public library in Hudson, Ohio, combining library and historical society functions. Comparable as a nearby single-community Ohio public library offering similar programming and digital access.
• Barberton Public Library: Summit County public library in Barberton, Ohio, and CLEVNET member. Comparable as a small Ohio public library using the same shared catalog and digital content platforms.
• Portage County District Library: District-level public library serving Portage County, Ohio, and a fellow CLEVNET consortium member. Comparable as an Ohio public library operating under CLEVNET with similar digital lending services.
• Medina County District Library: District-level public library serving Medina County, Ohio, providing comparable public library services in a similar suburban Northeast Ohio geography. Comparable as a peer Ohio public library of similar community scale.

Others

• CLEVNET: Regional library consortium providing shared catalog, circulation, and digital content systems across Cuyahoga County and partner libraries. Relevant as the underlying infrastructure provider that powers SMFPL's digital services rather than a direct peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/spikesplacesmfpl
• Facebookfacebook.com/SMFPL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stow-munroe-falls-public-library
• Instagraminstagram.com/smfpl
• Xx.com/smfpl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library