Burbank Public Library

What Burbank Public Library does

Burbank Public Library is a municipal public library system operated by the City of Burbank, California, founded in 1913 and serving Burbank residents plus, since a recent policy change, all California residents. It operates three branches — Burbank Central Library (110 N. Glenoaks Blvd), Buena Vista Branch Library (300 N. Buena Vista St.), and Northwest Branch Library (3323 W. Victory Blvd.) — supplemented by a Bookmobile service, multiple Little Free Libraries, and a dedicated WiFi hotspot lending program.

The technology backbone is a SirsiDynix-powered integrated library system exposing a public catalog and patron account APIs, paired with a multi-vendor eLibrary that aggregates Libby/OverDrive, hoopla, Kanopy, and the Palace Project for 24/7 digital lending of ebooks, audiobooks, streaming video, and magazines. Specialized assets include the Spark! Digital Media Lab (audio/video production, 3D printing, animation, sound booth) at Central Library, the Local History Collection, and the Writers Guild Foundation Script Collection — the last reflecting Burbank's entertainment industry concentration. Princh powers WiFi printing across all three branches.

The library is funded through the City of Burbank municipal budget, supplemented by grants and the Friends of the Burbank Public Library 501(c)(3), with no commercial revenue model. Patron-facing services are free at point of use following the July 1, 2021 elimination of overdue fines; nominal fees apply only to interlibrary loan ($6/item), typing test certification ($5), meeting room rentals, and replacement of lost or damaged items. Service segmentation spans children (early literacy, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten), teens (Teen Advisory Board, college prep), adults (book clubs, Job Connect, technology training), homebound residents (volunteer-delivered materials), non-English speakers (Pronunciator, ProCitizen), and BUSD students (auto-enrolled via BConnectED). Workforce development is delivered through Job Connect (a satellite of the Verdugo Jobs Center) and Job Connect Plus (a 12-week navigator-led program), supplemented by SCORE business mentoring.

Name

Burbank Public Library

Legal name

City of Burbank

Website

https://burbanklibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Burbank Public Library is a three-branch municipal library system in Burbank, California, providing free physical and digital lending, digital media creation, workforce development, and community programs to Burbank and all California residents, funded by the City of Burbank budget and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Library & Education Audiobook Distribution (Public Libraries, Schools, Academic) (MPAJAIAE)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital lending
• Community programs
• Literacy education
• Job search assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Burbank

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Burbank Public Library operates as a three-branch public library system providing free physical and digital material lending (books, DVDs, CDs, eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming video), 24/7 access to digital resources via the eLibrary, community programs for all ages, job search and career development services, digital media creation access through the Spark! Lab, study and meeting room rentals, WiFi hotspot lending, and Bookmobile outreach across Burbank.

Product overview

Burbank Public Library operates as a three-branch public library system (Central Library, Buena Vista Branch, Northwest Branch) providing traditional and digital library services. The core offering includes physical and digital material lending via the SirsiDynix-powered catalog, supplemented by the eLibrary digital services platform (Libby/OverDrive, hoopla, Kanopy, Palace Project) for 24/7 access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming media, and databases. Specialized services include the Spark! Digital Media Lab for digital media creation, Job Connect/Job Connect Plus for employment assistance, Bookmobile outreach, and various community programs including Summer Reading and the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten early literacy initiative. The library also provides WiFi hotspot lending, meeting room rentals, study room reservations, and partnerships for TAP transit cards and CA State Parks passes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Catalog (SirsiDynix) Online catalog system enabling patrons to search, reserve, and manage library materials including books, DVDs, CDs, and digital resources
• eLibrary Digital Services Digital media platform providing 24/7 access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, streaming video, and music through multiple providers
• Libby (by OverDrive) Digital lending platform offering free eBooks, eMagazines, and eAudiobooks accessible via web browser or mobile app
• hoopla Digital streaming service for movies, TV shows, music, eBooks, and eAudiobooks accessible on smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices
• Kanopy Video streaming service offering quality, thoughtful entertainment including documentaries, indie films, and educational content
• The Palace Project Free eBook and eAudiobook platform providing additional digital reading options for library cardholders
• Spark! Digital Media Lab Technology learning space at Burbank Central Library with equipment and software for audio/video production, 3D printing, animation, and digital media creation
• Job Connect Self-service job resource center, satellite office of Verdugo Jobs Center, providing job search assistance, resume help, and employment resources
• Job Connect Plus 12-week intensive career development program with navigator support, goal setting, training sessions, and networking opportunities for adults 18+
• Bookmobile Mobile library service bringing books and library resources to various locations throughout Burbank
• WiFi Hotspots Lending Portable WiFi router lending program allowing patrons to check out internet connectivity for home use for six weeks at a time
• Home Borrowers Program Delivery service matching homebound Burbank residents with volunteers who deliver library materials every six weeks
• Meeting Room Rental Community use of meeting rooms at Central Library and Buena Vista Branch Library with rental policies and application process
• Study Room Reservation Online booking system for reservable study rooms at Burbank Central Library and Buena Vista Branch Library
• CA State Parks Pass Free vehicle day-use passes for California State Parks available for checkout with library card
• TAP Cards Partnership with Metro to sell and reload transit access cards enabling travel across 24 transit agencies
• Little Free Libraries Community book exchange stations sponsored by the library at various locations throughout Burbank
• Local History Collection Historical research materials and archives at Burbank Central Library including Burbank in Focus digital photo collection
• Literacy Services Adult literacy programs and services supporting reading and language skills development
• Book Club Kits Pre-packaged sets of 8+ copies of titles with discussion questions and author information for book clubs

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SCOREcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCORE provides small business mentoring and education in partnership with Burbank Public Library and the City of Burbank Economic Development Department. Free one-hour appointments with SCORE mentors are available through the library for developing business plans, identifying seed funding, and more. Reservations are made through the library's event calendar on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Verdugo Jobs CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJob Connect is a satellite office of the Verdugo Jobs Center (VJC), which is part of the Department of Labor America's Job Center. The library provides space and resources for job seekers to access VJC services including CalJOBS job search system.
• Metro (Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to sell and reload TAP cards at library locations, enabling transit access across 24 transit agencies throughout the region.
• California State LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia State Library sponsors the California Listens program, a multi-year initiative at select public libraries throughout the state. Burbank participated in Spring-Summer 2018.
• Califa GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifa Group is a co-sponsor of the California Listens program, working with California State Library to implement the digital storytelling initiative at select California libraries including Burbank.
• Friends of the Burbank Public LibrarycoreOthers501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports library programs and collections. The Friends operate a bookstore at Buena Vista Branch, sell withdrawn library materials, and provide supplemental funding for special programs and eBooks beyond the City budget.
• Family Service Agency of BurbankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Book to Action program focused on mental health themes, providing educational workshops and community resources through the library.
• City of Burbank Economic Development DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with SCORE to provide free business mentoring appointments through the library, supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners in Burbank.
• Braille InstituteminorOthersThe Braille Institute Collection is available through the library for patrons who have difficulty reading or handling standard print materials due to vision loss.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Public Library: Major U.S. municipal library system known for innovation (Maker Labs, job programs, digital inclusion). A comparable institutional peer for advanced service delivery and equity-of-access initiatives.
• California State Library: State-level library authority that funds and partners with California public libraries (including Burbank via California Listens). Operates at a higher level but is the umbrella coordinator and a key grant/funding counterpart.
• New York Public Library: Largest U.S. public library system and a benchmark for programming, digital lending, and job/workforce services. A broad-incumbent peer for capability comparison rather than direct competition.

Direct peers

• San Francisco Public Library: Major California municipal library system with comparable urban population, fine-free policy, robust eLibrary, and social-services orientation. A benchmark peer for service breadth and innovation.
• Los Angeles Public Library: Large municipal public library system serving the City of Los Angeles with comparable core services (card eligibility, eLibrary, job resources, branch network). Most relevant peer operating in the same Southern California metroscape under a similar municipal funding model.
• Seattle Public Library: Mid-to-large U.S. municipal library system with comparable digital lending, fine-free policy history, and programming depth. A strong peer for benchmarking operational and digital strategy.

Regional players

• Santa Monica Public Library: Municipal library serving Santa Monica, CA — comparable city size, library card access policies, and program scope. Closely comparable in mission and operating scale.
• Long Beach Public Library: California municipal library system of similar mid-size scale, offering parallel services (eBooks, streaming, job help, literacy programs). A strong peer for comparing operating model and program offerings in the same state.
• Pasadena Public Library: Neighboring municipal library serving Pasadena, CA — comparable city size, similar demographic profile, and overlapping service offerings (digital lending, children's programs, meeting rooms). A direct geographically comparable peer.
• Glendale Public Library: Municipal library serving the City of Glendale, CA — adjacent to Burbank with similar-sized community, comparable branch-and-digital service mix, and the same California public library funding environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/burbankpubliclibrary
• Facebookfacebook.com/BurbankPublicLibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/burbankpubliclibrary
• Xx.com/libraryburbank
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/burbank-public-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Burbank Public Library