Lima Public Library
Lima Public Library is a publicly funded library system serving Allen County, Ohio, operating five branch locations that provide free physical and digital collections, youth and teen programming, genealogy research, emerging technology access (VR, WiFi hotspots), and community outreach to residents of all ages.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersLima, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Lima Public Library does
Lima Public Library is a public library system serving Allen County, Ohio, operating five physical branches (Main Library in Lima, plus Cairo, Elida, Lafayette, and Spencerville branches). The library provides informational, educational, and recreational resources to residents of all ages through physical collections (books, audiobooks, magazines, graphic novels), digital lending platforms (Hoopla, Ohio Digital Library/OverDrive), specialized research databases (Ancestry Library Edition, Fold3, HeritageQuest, Gale In Context, Explora, PubMed, ERIC, Academic Search Premier), and language learning tools (Mango Languages, Transparent Languages). It also offers youth programming (1000 Books Before Kindergarten, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Summer Reading Club, Story Time, STEAM to Go Kits, Launchpads), teen services (Teen Spot), genealogy and historical archives (obituary index from 1933, Civil War through Korean War records, DAR lineage books), and emerging technology access (Oculus Quest 2 VR, WiFi hotspot lending, Library of Things). Community support services include test proctoring, outreach/homebound delivery, tax form assistance, and virtual author talks via libraryc.org.
The library's underlying technology is anchored by the TLCDelivers integrated library system for catalog and circulation management, augmented by a broad set of third-party digital content and research platform integrations. Operations are supported by a community ambassador volunteer program, multiple branch-based book clubs, and strategic partnerships with the Lima Library Association (primary supplemental funder), Lima Adult Learning Center, VITA/TCE, tutor.com, and libraryc.org. The Main Library contact line is 419-228-5113; the system is overseen by a Board of Trustees and employs 11-50 staff.
Lima Public Library is funded primarily through public tax revenue and government appropriations as a public library system (not a commercial for-profit entity despite the firmographic label, as confirmed by multiple source references to its public library status and non-trading operations). The Lima Library Association provides private donations that fund specific programs including the Library of Things collection and WiFi hotspot lending. Most services are free to patrons; nominal fees apply for printing/copying ($0.20/page), additional tax form copies, and remote research requests beyond the free threshold. The go-to-market model is community-led: services are delivered through physical branches, digital platforms, outreach programs, and community partnerships, with marketing concentrated in organic social (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), email newsletters, and the library website.
Lima Public Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lima Public Library
- Legal name
- Lima Public Library
- Website
- https://limalibrary.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Lima Public Library is a publicly funded library system serving Allen County, Ohio, operating five branch locations that provide free physical and digital collections, youth and teen programming, genealogy research, emerging technology access (VR, WiFi hotspots), and community outreach to residents of all ages.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lima Public Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210)
- 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-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL)
Keywords
Where Lima Public Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lima
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Lima 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
- Public Library Funding: Funded primarily through public tax revenue and government appropriations to provide free library services to the community
- Lima Library Association Donations: Private donations funding special collections and programs including Library of Things and WiFi hotspot lending
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | One time | Free tax form printing (1 copy) |
| Freemium | One time | Obituary requests |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Lima Public Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lima Public Library operates a public library system providing free access to physical and digital collections, research databases, and educational and recreational programming across five branch locations in Allen County, Ohio. It offers traditional library lending (books, audiobooks, magazines, media), specialized services (genealogy research, test proctoring, tax assistance), youth and teen programming, non-traditional lending (Library of Things, WiFi hotspots, VR headsets), and community outreach including homebound delivery and pop-up library services.
Product overview
Lima Public Library operates as a traditional public library system with five physical branches serving Allen County, Ohio. The library provides a comprehensive suite of services including physical media lending (books, audiobooks, movies, magazines), specialized youth programming (Story Time, Summer Reading Club, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Teen Spot), digital content platforms (Hoopla, Ohio Digital Library/OverDrive, research databases), emerging technology services (Oculus Quest 2 VR experiences, WiFi hotspot lending, Launchpads for children, Library of Things unusual item lending), and community support services (test proctoring, outreach programs, tax assistance, obituary/genealogy research). The Main Library and four branch locations (Cairo, Elida, Lafayette, Spencerville) offer these services with support from the Lima Library Association.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Physical Library Collections
Quantifiable outcome
- Free WiFi hotspot lending for community members without home internet access
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Lima Public Library
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Lima Public Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration15 records
Feature3 records
Lima Public Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Lima Adult Learning CenterminorDual partnership announced in March 2018 for educational collaboration and adult literacy services.
- VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) & TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly)minorReferral partnership connecting patrons to free tax preparation services at nearby locations during tax season (February-April 2026). Services available at United Way of Hancock County, 50 North Senior Center, and various CAO locations.
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of OhiocoreProgram administering free monthly book mailings to Ohio children from birth until their 5th birthday. Library serves as local enrollment point and promoter.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lima Public Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Akron-Summit County Public Library: Multi-branch Ohio public library serving a county-level population with overlapping digital, youth, and community programming models.
- Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library: Large Ohio public library system with extensive branches, genealogy resources, and digital services — a high-end peer for service breadth comparison.
- Dayton Metro Library: Ohio-based multi-branch public library system with comparable programming including maker activities, digital services, and youth/teen outreach.
- Columbus Metropolitan Library: Large Ohio public library system serving Franklin County with 23+ branches and similar youth, digital, and community programming. Most directly comparable Ohio peer in scale and service mix.
- Cleveland Public Library: Major urban public library system in Ohio with multiple branches, extensive digital collections, and educational programming. Comparable mission, funding model, and service breadth.
- Toledo Lucas County Public Library: Northwest Ohio public library system in close geographic proximity to Lima. Comparable size, multi-branch model, and Northwest Ohio community focus.
Others
- Hoopla: Digital media platform vendor integrated with Lima Public Library for e-books, audiobooks, music, movies, and TV. Ecosystem participant and indirect comparable for digital content distribution to libraries.
- OverDrive / Ohio Digital Library: E-book and audiobook lending platform powering Ohio Digital Library, integrated with Lima Public Library's digital services. Key ecosystem enabler and indirect comparable.
- LibraryC / Next Good Book: Virtual author talks platform used by Lima Public Library for programming. Ecosystem vendor enabling differentiated programming at small library systems.
Regional players
- Allen County Public Library (Fort Wayne, IN): Name-sharing regional peer in neighboring Indiana; comparable multi-branch public library with nationally renowned genealogy center, providing a benchmark for the Lima system's genealogy ambitions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Lima Public Library social profiles
Digital presenceLima Public Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lima Public Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Lima Public Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lima 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 Lima Public Library
What does Lima Public Library do?
Lima Public Library operates a public library system providing free access to physical and digital collections, research databases, and educational and recreational programming across five branch locations in Allen County, Ohio. It offers traditional library lending (books, audiobooks, magazines, media), specialized services (genealogy research, test proctoring, tax assistance), youth and teen programming, non-traditional lending (Library of Things, WiFi hotspots, VR headsets), and community outreach including homebound delivery and pop-up library services.
Is Lima Public Library a public or private company?
Lima Public Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Lima Public Library founded?
Lima Public Library was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lima Public Library based?
Lima Public Library is headquartered in Lima, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lima Public Library make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Public Library Funding is the primary driver. The others are lima Library Association Donations.
Who are Lima Public Library's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Akron-Summit County Public Library, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, Dayton Metro Library, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Cleveland Public Library and Toledo Lucas County Public Library. Others are Hoopla, OverDrive / Ohio Digital Library and LibraryC / Next Good Book. Allen County Public Library (Fort Wayne, IN) is listed as a regional player.
Does Lima Public Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lima Public Library.
What industry is Lima Public Library in?
Lima Public Library's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services, with a secondary code of EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management. Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 8200.