Downers Grove Public Library
Municipal public library serving Downers Grove, Illinois residents since 1891, providing free access to physical and digital collections through the SWAN Library Services consortium alongside social services, technology access, and community programming.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1891
- HeadquartersDowners Grove, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Downers Grove Public Library does
Downers Grove Public Library is a municipal public library serving the Village of Downers Grove, Illinois, founded in 1891 by the Ladies Library Association and operating continuously for over 134 years. The library is governed by a six-member Board of Library Trustees appointed by the Village Council and functions as a component unit of the Village under an intergovernmental agreement. Primary funding is derived from property taxes assessed on all taxable property within Village boundaries, supplemented by service fees, Illinois Public Library Per Capita Grants, state grants, donations, and planned giving through the Downers Grove Public Library Foundation. The institution does not charge overdue fines and provides the majority of its services free of charge to residents, with a non-resident fee card priced annually according to the Illinois State Library formula. The library employs between 51 and 100 staff and operates from a 67,738 square foot facility at 1050 Curtiss Street that opened in February 1999 following an $8.2 million referendum-approved reconstruction.
The library's core offering is a unified platform of physical and digital resource access built on the SWAN Library Services consortium, a shared catalog of over 1.2 million items across more than 100 member libraries. In-house capabilities include the eLibrary (24/7 digital platform for ebooks, audiobooks, research databases, and electronic resources), a Media Lab equipped with iMac computers and multimedia production equipment, 3D printing, poster and wireless printing, holds lockers, and lending programs for laptops and hotspots. Service breadth extends well beyond traditional lending to include notary services, free home delivery for homebound patrons, satellite stacks at senior living facilities, social work services including The Cupboard free pantry, career and business assistance, genealogy research support, a Seed Library, and a Local Author Collection. Distribution channels span the physical location, eLibrary, holds lockers, the SWAN consortium for reciprocal borrowing, home delivery, and satellite stacks.
The library operates a community-led go-to-market model organized around seven primary customer segments: children and families, teens, adults, seniors, residents in transition (housing or food insecure), local authors and creators, and businesses and educators. Programs are delivered through an event calendar, in-person and virtual programming, and targeted community partnerships including schools, childcare centers, senior living facilities, the Midwest SOARRING Foundation, the American Indian Center of Chicago, and Clubhouse Therapy. Marketing and outreach occur through the dglibrary.org website, the Discoveries newsletter, social media, and earned media coverage of EDI and Native-focused programming. The library was ranked a 5-star library by Library Journal in 2022 and designated a Historical Site by the Downers Grove Historical Society in 2025.
Downers Grove Public Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Downers Grove Public Library
- Legal name
- Downers Grove Public Library
- Website
- https://dglibrary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1891
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Municipal public library serving Downers Grove, Illinois residents since 1891, providing free access to physical and digital collections through the SWAN Library Services consortium alongside social services, technology access, and community programming.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Downers Grove Public Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- 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 User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Library, Reading Motivation & Independent Reading Programs (EDAMAJAO)
Keywords
Where Downers Grove Public Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Downers Grove
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Downers Grove Public Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Property Taxes: Primary source of revenue under Illinois law. Property taxes are assessed and collected upon all taxable property within the Village of Downers Grove boundaries. The Home Rule status of the Village exempts the library from formal compliance with property tax limitations required under state statute.
- Fees and Charges: Fees charged for lost or damaged materials, printing, photocopying, 3D printing, faxing, out-of-state interlibrary loans, and non-resident library cards. The library does not charge overdue fines.
- State Grants: Annual application for the Illinois Public Library Per Capita Grant administered by the Illinois State Library. May also apply for other State of Illinois grant programs.
- Donations and Planned Giving: Monetary donations accepted at the checkout desk or administration office. Online donations via Downers Grove Public Library Foundation. Planned giving options including wills, living trusts, life income plans, retirement plan assets, and corporate matching gifts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Resident Library Card - Free |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Temporary Resident Card - Free |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Annual | Non-Resident Fee Card - Variable |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Service Fees - Variable |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Downers Grove Public Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Downers Grove Public Library is a municipal public library providing free access to physical and digital library materials, research databases, programming, and community services to Village of Downers Grove residents and reciprocal borrowers. It circulates over one million items annually, operates a 24/7 eLibrary and Media Lab, and offers social services (notary, food pantry, home delivery) alongside traditional lending and educational programs.
Product overview
Downers Grove Public Library is a public library system offering a unified platform of services centered on physical and digital resource access. The core offerings include the eLibrary (24/7 digital platform), Media Lab (technology creation workspace), and various lending services. Key products include lending of materials through the SWAN catalog consortium, technology lending (laptops, hotspots, 3D printing), meeting room reservations, and community programs (Summer Reading Club, Virtual Programs, Book Discussions). The library provides specialized services including Home Delivery for homebound patrons, Notary Services, Career Help, Genealogy Services, and Social Services with The Cupboard free pantry. Additional services span research databases, homework help for kids and teens, the Local Author Collection, and Seed Library programs. All services are integrated through the SWAN Library Services platform enabling access to over 1.2 million items across 100+ member libraries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- eLibrary Digital library platform providing 24/7 access to electronic resources, research databases, and online materials for library cardholders.
- Media Lab Technology workspace with audio and video rooms equipped with iMac computers, multimedia creation software, microphones, digital audio interfaces, DSLR cameras, photography lighting, and tripods, supporting creation of audio, video, and photographic works for library cardholders.
- 3D Printing Service 3D printing service available for patrons to create three-dimensional objects using library equipment.
- Poster Printing Large format printing service for posters and banners available to library patrons.
- Wireless Printing Remote printing service (ePrintIt) allowing patrons to send print jobs wirelessly to the library.
- Book an Expert One-on-one assistance service connecting library cardholders with library staff expertise for personalized help.
- Home Delivery Delivery service for homebound Downers Grove patrons unable to visit the library due to illness, disability, or age, providing library materials directly to their residences.
- Notary Services Free notary services provided to library patrons, available on a first-come, first-served basis with appointment recommended.
- Social Services Social work program providing assistance including The Cupboard free pantry, information, support, application help, referrals, and direct phone assistance for community members in need.
- Book a Room (Meeting Room Reservations) Meeting room and conference room reservation system available to community groups and individuals via the library's online reservation system.
- Career Help Career assistance services helping patrons with job searches, resume writing, and professional development.
- Seed Library Seed lending program allowing patrons to borrow seeds to grow plants at home, promoting gardening and community.
- Summer Reading Club Annual summer reading program running May 18 – August 9 where patrons of all ages can read to win prizes.
- Adult Reading Challenge Annual reading challenge encouraging adults to explore different genres and reading goals.
- Virtual Programs Online programs and events accessible remotely for patron participation.
- Book Discussions Group book discussion sessions bringing together readers to share insights on selected titles.
- All Databases (Research Databases) Collection of research databases covering various subjects for patron research needs.
- Genealogy Services Research assistance and resources for genealogical research and family history investigation.
- Kids Homework Help Research resources and homework assistance specifically designed for children.
- Teen Homework Help Research resources and homework assistance for teenage students.
- Art Collection Collection of artwork displayed throughout the library, including historical paintings and rotating exhibits.
- Local Author Collection Collection featuring works by local authors from the metro Chicago area, displayed on designated shelves at the library.
- Just for Businesses Business-specific programs, career help, and resources tailored for local Downers Grove businesses and workforce.
- Just for Educators Educator resources and educational partnership programs tailored for teachers and schools in the community.
- Laptops and Hotspots Lending Technology lending program providing laptops, hotspots, and other devices to bridge the digital divide for community members.
- Satellite Stacks Off-site book collections available in senior living facilities providing library access to senior residents throughout the community.
- Holds Lockers (Self-Service Pickup) Self-service pickup lockers allowing Downers Grove Public Library cardholders to retrieve holds at their convenience outside regular service hours.
- The Cupboard (Free Pantry) Free pantry located in the library lobby providing food and toiletries to community members in need.
- SWAN Consortium Library Card Library card issued to Downers Grove residents and qualifying patrons, providing access to circulate items from the local collection plus the SWAN consortium catalog of over 1.2 million items across 100+ member libraries.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1 million items circulated annually
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Downers Grove Public Library
Customer profileSegments7 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
Downers Grove Public Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature3 records
Downers Grove Public Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- SWAN Library ServicescoreA consortium of over 100 libraries sharing a common catalog providing access to over 1.2 million items. DGPL participates as a member, enabling reciprocal borrowing privileges for cardholders and interlibrary loan services across the network.
- Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS)coreIllinois library system providing resource sharing services. DGPL adheres to RAILS Resource Sharing Policy for interlibrary loan standards.
- Illinois Library and Information Network (ILLINET)coreStatewide interlibrary loan network. DGPL adheres to ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Code and ILLINET Online Library Resource Sharing Code.
- Dr. John N. Low (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians)strategicEnrolled citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and scholar of American Indian studies at Ohio State University. Consulted during development of the library's land acknowledgment document.
- Joseph Standing Bear Schranz (White Earth Band of Minnesota Ojibwe Nation)strategicFounder and president of the Midwest SOARRING Foundation. Enrolled member of the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Ojibwe Nation. Consulted during development of the library's land acknowledgment document.
- Midwest SOARRING FoundationstrategicNative-led organization providing resources and support for Native communities. Partnered with library on land acknowledgment development and ongoing Native programming.
- American Indian Center of ChicagominorOldest urban Native community center in the country. Chicago and surrounding suburbs including Downers Grove area have one of the largest urban Native American populations.
- Clubhouse TherapystrategicLocal organization providing free early intervention screenings through partnership with the library's social work and outreach programs.
- Downers Grove Public Library FoundationcoreNonprofit foundation supporting the library through fundraising, planned giving programs, and extraordinary gifts to inspire and engage ideas and strengthen the library as a community cornerstone.
- Village of Downers GrovecoreThe Village provides accounting services to the library through an intergovernmental agreement. Library is a component unit of the Village with the Village Council appointing library trustees.
- American Indian Library AssociationstrategicAwarded the Talk Story Grant to the library for the specific purpose of highlighting Native stories through programs, services, and collection materials.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves14 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Downers Grove Public Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Chicago Public Library: Largest public library system in Illinois serving the broader Chicago region. Operates as a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities (digital lending, programming, social services) but at significantly larger scale and geographic scope.
Direct peers
- Naperville Public Library: Suburban Chicago public library of similar size and demographic profile, serving an affluent DuPage County community. Comparable in scale, funding model (property tax-based), and service breadth including digital services and community programming.
- Skokie Public Library: Suburban Chicago public library serving a comparable population size and demographic mix. Shares the Illinois municipal library model and offers similar modernized services including maker spaces and community programming.
- Indian Prairie Public Library: Library district serving nearby Darien/Woodridge suburbs adjacent to Downers Grove. Similar tax-based funding, comparable scale, and overlapping service area demographics within DuPage County.
- Gail Borden Public Library District: Illinois library district serving a similarly sized suburban community in the Chicago metro. Comparable governance, tax-based funding, and modernized service delivery including extensive digital collections and maker services.
- Evanston Public Library: North suburban Chicago public library serving an urban-suburban community of similar scale. Comparable in programming diversity, EDI commitments, and partnership-based service extensions.
- Wheaton Public Library: DuPage County public library in close proximity to Downers Grove with similar property-tax funding model and community demographic profile. Direct geographic neighbor and operational peer.
- Oak Park Public Library: Suburban Chicago public library serving a similarly affluent, diverse community adjacent to Downers Grove. Comparable service portfolio, governance structure, and EDI focus, making it a strong operational peer.
Others
- Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS): Illinois library system providing resource sharing, interlibrary loan, and member services to libraries across the state. Functions as an infrastructure provider enabling DGPL's reciprocal borrowing and ILL services.
- SWAN Library Services: Consortium of 100+ Illinois libraries providing shared catalog and resource sharing infrastructure. DGPL depends on SWAN for access to 1.2 million items, making it a critical infrastructure/ecosystem partner rather than a competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Downers Grove Public Library social profiles
Digital presenceDowners Grove Public Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Downers Grove Public Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Downers Grove Public Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Downers Grove Public 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 Downers Grove Public Library
What does Downers Grove Public Library do?
Downers Grove Public Library is a municipal public library providing free access to physical and digital library materials, research databases, programming, and community services to Village of Downers Grove residents and reciprocal borrowers. It circulates over one million items annually, operates a 24/7 eLibrary and Media Lab, and offers social services (notary, food pantry, home delivery) alongside traditional lending and educational programs.
Is Downers Grove Public Library a public or private company?
Downers Grove Public Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Downers Grove Public Library founded?
Downers Grove Public Library was founded in 1891. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Downers Grove Public Library based?
Downers Grove Public Library is headquartered in Downers Grove, United States, in the North America region.
How does Downers Grove Public Library make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Property Taxes are the primary driver. The others are fees and Charges, state Grants and donations and Planned Giving.
Who are Downers Grove Public Library's main competitors?
Chicago Public Library is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Naperville Public Library, Skokie Public Library, Indian Prairie Public Library, Gail Borden Public Library District, Evanston Public Library, Wheaton Public Library and Oak Park Public Library. Others are Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) and SWAN Library Services.
Does Downers Grove Public Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Downers Grove Public Library.
What industry is Downers Grove Public Library in?
Downers Grove Public Library's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management, with a secondary code of BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services. Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 8300.