Mobile Public Library

Name

Mobile Public Library

Legal name

Mobile Public Library

Website

https://mplonline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1928

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210), Libraries and Archives (51921), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (519), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIACAO

Public Libraries & Information Services

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

SECONDARYEDAEAGAC

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYEDAEAGAF

Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYEDAEAGAL

Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYEDAAAFAA

Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Community & Public Education Programs (Libraries, Community Centers)

SECONDARYBPAGAHAF

Libraries, Archives & Special Collections

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital lending platforms
• Community education programs
• Mobile outreach services
• Makerspace and 3D printing

Headquarters

HQ city

Mobile

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mobile Public Library is a free, tax-funded municipal public library system serving Mobile County, Alabama, providing physical and digital book lending, eBooks, online research databases, and digitized local history/genealogy archives through 10+ branch locations plus a bookmobile. Beyond traditional lending, it operates a Maker Lab with 3D printing, public computer/Wi-Fi access, meeting rooms, test proctoring, notary services, a Connection Center for job seekers and small businesses, and community programming including summer reading challenges tracked via Beanstack.

Product overview

Mobile Public Library operates as a unified public library system offering physical and digital collections, research resources, maker technology, and community services. The core offerings include traditional book lending through 12 branch locations, a digital library with eBooks and online databases, maker lab with 3D printing, and specialized services like genealogy research, business/career support, and mobile outreach via bookmobile. The system uses an online catalog (SirsiDynix) for material management and Beanstack for summer reading program tracking. Services are organized around audience segments (Kids, Teens, Adults) and include meeting rooms, test proctoring, notary services, and community resource navigation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physical Library Collections Traditional library lending service including books, physical media, and other materials available for checkout across all branch locations; provided free to Mobile County residents with a library card.
• eBooks & Digital Library Digital content platform providing access to eBooks, audiobooks, and other electronic resources accessible 24/7 with a Mobile Public Library card.
• Online Catalog (SirsiDynix) Web-based catalog system enabling patrons to search the library's holdings, place and pick up holds, and manage their personal library accounts online 24/7 via the SirsiDynix platform.
• Online Research Databases Subscription research databases covering academic subjects, newspapers, homework help, and other specialized topics, available to library card holders.
• Digital Archives Digital preservation system providing online access to digitized historical and genealogical materials documenting local Mobile-area history.
• Maker Lab & 3D Printing Public-facing technology workshop offering 3D printing services and maker equipment (such as design and fabrication tools) for use by Mobile Public Library patrons.
• Computers & WiFi Public computer workstations and free wireless internet connectivity available to patrons at all Mobile Public Library branch locations.
• Print & Copy Services Document printing and copying services available to library patrons at branch locations.
• Bookmobile & Outreach Mobile library service bringing books, holds pickup, storytimes, and children's activities to community events throughout Mobile County, reaching residents without nearby branch access.
• Local History & Genealogy Dedicated branch specializing in historical records, genealogical research resources, and local Mobile-area history archives, complementing the online Digital Archives platform.
• Meeting Rooms Reservable community spaces available at various Mobile Public Library branches for meetings, events, and gatherings by patrons and community groups.
• Connection Center: Business & Careers Dedicated service offering resources and support for job searches, career development, and small business assistance to Mobile Public Library patrons.
• Test Proctoring Exam proctoring services offered at Mobile Public Library locations for students and professionals requiring a supervised test-taking environment.
• Notary Services Notary public services for document authentication available at Mobile Public Library branch locations.
• Your Next Book Personalized book recommendation service in which Mobile Public Library librarians suggest titles based on patrons' favorite subjects and genres, delivered via email.
• Kids Book Bundles Curated bundles of children's books selected by Mobile Public Library librarians for specific age groups and interests, supporting early literacy.
• Library of Things Lending program offering non-traditional items — such as tools, equipment, and other objects — for check-out by Mobile Public Library patrons.
• Ask a Librarian Reference and information assistance service that connects Mobile Public Library patrons with librarian expertise for research and informational questions.
• Summer Library Celebration Annual summer reading program designed to encourage reading and learning for all ages, often incorporating gamification elements and prizes; coordinated through the Beanstack platform.
• Beanstack Reading Challenge Online platform powering the library's summer reading and ongoing reading challenges, allowing participants to log reading, track progress, and earn rewards.
• Accelerated Reader Books Library collection support for Accelerated Reader program participants, providing leveled books and tracking resources primarily for student and teen readers.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Public Library: Major U.S. municipal library system with a broad branch network, digital lending, maker labs, and educational programming. Operates under the same public-funding model as MPL with overlapping service categories.
• Houston Public Library: A large municipal library system in a major U.S. metropolitan area operating an extensive multi-branch network, maker spaces, digital lending, and community services. Broader in scale than MPL but highly comparable in service breadth and public-funding model.
• New York Public Library: One of the largest public library systems in the U.S., providing branches, research libraries, digital lending, and community programming. Much larger than MPL but shares the same municipal public-library mission and multi-branch service model.
• Los Angeles Public Library: Large urban public library system operating dozens of branches with extensive digital, educational, and community services. Offers the same category of services as MPL but at much greater scale.

Others

• SirsiDynix: The vendor behind MPL's online catalog platform (Sirsi). Not a competing library system but the underlying technology provider for the discovery, circulation, and account management layer used by MPL and many peer library systems.
• OverDrive: A leading digital content platform commonly used by public libraries to deliver eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming media. Adjacent to MPL's eBooks & Digital Library offering through shared ecosystem relationships.
• BiblioCommons: A library-discovery and catalog UX platform used by many public library systems to power patron-facing search, account management, and event calendars. Comparable in scope to MPL's Sirsi-based discovery layer and a candidate technology peer.

Direct peers

• Huntsville-Madison County Public Library: Another large Alabama county-level public library system serving Madison County. Comparable to MPL in operating multiple branches, offering digital content, children's programs, and community meeting space for a similar-sized Alabama community.
• Birmingham Public Library: A municipal public library system in another major Alabama city (Birmingham). Operates a multi-branch network with traditional lending, digital services, and community programming — directly comparable in mission, governance structure, and service mix to Mobile Public Library.

Regional players

• Jefferson County Library Cooperative (Alabama): An Alabama library cooperative serving Jefferson County and adjacent communities. Comparable to MPL at the regional level through shared statewide interlibrary-loan networks and similar municipal/county governance structures.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCh14N3m3KP8MccZ_lQDvVAQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/Mobile.Public.Library
• Xx.com/MobPubLib

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 Mobile Public Library