Hudson Library

What Hudson Library does

Hudson Library & Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) public library founded in 1910 in Hudson, Ohio, serving Ohio residents with a combination of physical collections and an extensive digital platform. The library operates a single flagship branch at 96 Library Street with a drive-thru holds window and is a member of the CLEVNET consortium, which links 44+ library systems across 12 Northeast Ohio counties for reciprocal borrowing and shared resources. Patron-facing technology includes OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, PressReader, Flipster, LinkedIn Learning, Medici.tv, Ancestry Library Edition, Consumer Reports, Business Source Premier, and the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, plus a tech-device lending program and a Library of Things.

The library's core service verticals are organized around four patron cohorts: children (storytime, summer reading, Brainfuse homework help, Fiero Code, Beanstack challenges), teens (college resources, reading programs, homework help), adults/seniors (author events, book clubs, genealogy, digital literacy, language learning via Mango), and a differentiated entrepreneur/small-business segment served through the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship Research, backed by the Burton D. Morgan Foundation. Additional services include notary and fax, 3D printing, study and meeting rooms, and homebound delivery.

The business model is that of a tax-funded public non-profit: the primary revenue stream is local public funding and tax appropriations, supplemented by donations and planned giving (multiple named endowments), Friends of the Library bookstore proceeds, and modest transaction fees (specialty-item late fines, $1 card replacement). Library cards and eCards are free to all Ohio residents. There is no equity ownership, no parent company, and no disclosed funding rounds; the institution is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by Executive Director E. Leslie Polott.

Name

Hudson Library

Legal name

Hudson Library and Historical Society

Website

https://hudsonlibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1910

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Hudson Library & Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) public library in Hudson, Ohio, serving Ohio residents with physical collections, 24/7 digital media platforms, tech device lending, and the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship Research, networked through the CLEVNET consortium of 44+ library systems.

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), Educational Services (611)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital media lending
• Community education programs
• Research database access
• Tech device lending

Headquarters

HQ city

Hudson

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding and Tax Revenue: As a public library, Hudson Library receives primary funding through local tax revenues and public appropriations. The library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
2. Donations and Planned Giving: Accepts charitable contributions including cash, bequests, retirement plan assets, life insurance, marketable securities, real estate, and tangible property. Multiple named endowment funds support different library areas.
3. Friends of the Library Bookstore: The Friends of the Library operates a bookstore with donated materials, supporting library programs and services.
4. Late Fees and Replacement Charges: Fine-free for most Hudson-owned materials. Replacement cost charged for items 30 days overdue. Some specialty items (Hot Picks, tech devices) incur daily fines.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hudson Library is a public library providing free borrowing access to physical and digital media (books, eBooks, audiobooks, DVDs, streaming video, digital magazines), tech device lending (hotspots, Chromebooks, GoPros, Rokus), research databases, community programs for all ages, and the Burton D. Morgan Entrepreneurship Center, serving Ohio residents through the CLEVNET consortium of 44+ library systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physical and Digital Lending Library Free borrowing of physical books, DVDs, CDs, video games, and digital media (eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, streaming video) for Ohio residents via library card, with up to 100 items borrowable at one time.
• Library Card and eCard Free library card for any Ohio resident providing in-person and digital access to all library resources, plus a virtual eCard providing remote access to electronic resources. Children 18 and under require parent/guardian co-signature.
• Tech Device Lending
• Library of Things
• Burton D. Morgan Entrepreneurship Center
• Community Programs and Events
• Digital Media Access Platforms
• Research Databases
• Meeting and Study Room Reservations
• Historical Society Services Historical society operations including archives, local history preservation, and genealogical research support through the Hudson Memory project.
• Notary and Fax Services
• Creativity Lab (3D Printing)

Quantifiable outcome

• 2022 Library Journal Five Star Library designation recognizing exceptional library service
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration24 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CLEVNET ConsortiumcoreTechnology or IntegrationLibrary is a member of the CLEVNET consortium, providing patrons access to over 44 library systems across 12 counties in Northeast Ohio. This integration allows patrons to use their Hudson Library card at consortium libraries and access materials system-wide.
• Friends of the Hudson LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit volunteer organization committed to supporting the library through fundraising, book sales, and advocacy. The Friends group operates the library bookstore and supports various library programs and initiatives.
• Hudson League for ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal service organization partnership supporting the Summer Learning Program and other community initiatives.
• Cleveland Orchestra / Kent Blossom Music FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Young Artist Concert Series featuring emerging classical musicians from the Kent Blossom Music Festival, presented with The Cleveland Orchestra and Kent State University.
• Beanstack (Zoobean)coreTechnology or IntegrationDigital reading tracker platform used for Summer Learning Program and ongoing reading challenges. Patrons use Beanstack mobile app or website to log reading and activities.
• OverDrivecoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary digital media platform providing eBooks, eAudiobooks, and digital magazines through the Libby app. Part of CLEVNET consortium agreement.
• KanopycoreTechnology or IntegrationVideo streaming service for educational and entertainment content including The Great Courses, documentaries, and feature films. Available to patrons through library subscription.
• HooplacoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital media service offering movies, TV, eBooks, audiobooks, music, and comics with no wait lists. Available through library subscription.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cuyahoga County Public Library: Large public library system serving Cuyahoga County (Cleveland area) and a fellow CLEVNET consortium member. Operates 27 branches with substantially greater scale, providing a comparable but much larger public library model with similar consortium-based service delivery.
• Akron-Summit County Public Library: CLEVNET consortium member serving Summit County, Ohio. Comparable public library model with multiple branches, digital services, and entrepreneurship/business resources in Northeast Ohio—directly comparable geography and operating model.
• Cleveland Public Library: Major urban public library system and CLEVNET consortium anchor. Comparable mission and service delivery model (physical + digital + specialized research), though operating at substantially larger urban scale than Hudson.
• Columbus Metropolitan Library: Large Ohio public library system consistently recognized among top U.S. libraries. Comparable public library operating model including digital lending, entrepreneurship resources, and consortium-based service delivery.

Direct peers

• Kent Free Library: Single-location public library in Kent, Ohio, also a CLEVNET member. Highly comparable in scale, services, and community-librarian model—directly peer comparable as a similarly-sized Northeast Ohio public library serving a college-town community.
• Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library: CLEVNET consortium member in Summit County, Ohio. Similar suburban single-system public library with comparable programming, digital lending, and community focus—strong direct peer given geographic proximity and operational similarity.
• Twinsburg Public Library: CLEVNET consortium member in Summit County, Ohio. Comparably-sized suburban public library serving a similar demographic profile in Northeast Ohio with analogous services and programming.

Others

• Cuyahoga Valley National Park / Conservancy: Adjacent community-serving nonprofit in Hudson's geography. Not a direct library peer, but a comparable local nonprofit organizational model in Hudson, Ohio that illustrates the regional nonprofit ecosystem.
• OverDrive: Primary digital content platform provider used by Hudson Library and many CLEVNET members. Adjacent ecosystem participant and key vendor rather than direct competitor—relevant for understanding the digital distribution layer.
• Hoopla: Digital media service offered to Hudson Library patrons. Adjacent ecosystem participant providing library-channel digital content rather than direct competition—relevant as a comparable digital content distribution model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/HudsonLibr
• Facebookfacebook.com/HudsonLibrary.HistoricalSociety
• Instagraminstagram.com/hudsonlib
• Xx.com/HudsonLibr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hudsonlibrary

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Hudson Library