Starr Library

What Starr Library does

Starr Library is a chartered public library serving Rhinebeck and Rhinecliff, New York. The institution traces its origin to July 1857 and was incorporated as The Starr Institute in April 1862; it has operated continuously for over 160 years. The library is a nonprofit (EIN 14-1558090) governed by a Board of Trustees and is funded primarily through municipal tax appropriations, individual donations, and fundraising by the separate Friends of Starr Library organization (which contributes over $25,000 annually). The library operates from a 10,000 sq ft ADA-compliant facility at 68 West Market Street on approximately 1.5 acres at the entrance to Thompson-Mazzarella Park, with a full-time staff of 11–50.

Its core product set spans physical collection lending (books, audiobooks, DVDs, magazines) with 1–3 week loan periods and automatic renewals, a fine-free policy, and free library cards; an extensive digital resource suite accessed through Hoopla, Libby, Kanopy, Transparent Languages (120+ languages), Creativebug, NovelNY, InfoTrac, JobNow/Brainfuse, DigitalLearn, and Coursera; a museum pass program covering 10 regional institutions; Starr at Home volunteer delivery for homebound patrons; meeting room rentals; a Genealogy & Local History Research Center; sports equipment lending; rotating art exhibitions (with a 15% sales commission); and the Roger Phillips Concert Series. Programming includes adult and children's events, three book clubs, chair yoga and qigong classes, and the 2026 'Dinosaur Dig!' regional summer reading collaboration with four neighboring libraries.

The technology architecture is built on the Mid-Hudson Library System consortium catalog (66 libraries, joined as a charter member in 1959), integrated digital media platforms, the Engaged Patrons online calendar and registration system, Bloomerang for donations, iContact for the bilingual newsletter, and high-speed Wi-Fi (24-hour outdoor access). GTM motion is community-led: free in-person services, online catalog access 24/7, home delivery for homebound patrons, and grassroots fundraising through Friends of Starr Library memberships (six tiers from $10 to $500+). Pricing is freemium at the point of use with nominal unit fees for printing and meeting-room rentals.

Name

Starr Library

Legal name

Starr Library

Website

https://starrlibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1857

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Starr Library is a chartered nonprofit public library in Rhinebeck, NY, serving Rhinebeck and Rhinecliff residents with free lending, digital resources, museum passes, programs, and home delivery as a member of the 66-library Mid-Hudson Library System.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

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

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community lending
• Digital resources
• Educational programs
• Local history archives

Headquarters

HQ city

Rhinebeck

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Funding/Taxes: As a public library, Starr Library receives funding through public library funding votes and municipal/tax support. The 2026 budget and 2025 approved budget documents are publicly available.
2. Friends of Starr Library Fundraising: Friends of Starr Library raises over $25,000 annually for library projects including new books, digital media, Summer Reading Program, computers, technical assistance, large-print books, free museum passes.
3. Donations and Gifts: Accepts one-time, monthly, yearly online donations; check donations; major gifts for special projects (renovations, digital resources, educational initiatives); bequests and planned giving; donor-advised funds; company matching programs. EIN 14-1558090.
4. Meeting Room Rental: Community room rental for non-profits (no charge) and for-profits ($50/half day, $100/full day). Mary H. Frazer Room also available for rental.
5. Friends Membership Dues: Membership levels: Basic $10, Reader's Circle $50, Director's Circle $100, Starr Circle $150, Patron Circle $250, Best Friends $500+.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Starr Library is a public nonprofit library providing free access to physical and digital library materials, programming, museum passes, genealogy and local history research, computer and printing services, home delivery for homebound patrons, and community meeting spaces. It is part of the 66-library Mid-Hudson Library System, serving Rhinebeck and Rhinecliff residents with a fine-free policy.

Product overview

Starr Library is a public library serving Rhinebeck, NY, offering a unified suite of traditional and digital library services. The core offering combines physical material lending (books, audiobooks, DVDs, magazines) with extensive digital resources including e-books, streaming video (Hoopla, Kanopy), language learning, and career resources. Key service modules include: Starr at Home (homebound delivery), museum pass program, diverse adult/children's programming, book clubs, concert series, sports equipment lending, meeting room facilities, genealogy/local history research, and rotating art exhibitions. The library operates as part of the 66-library Mid-Hudson Library System, enabling patron access to regional collections. All services are free to patrons, supported by donations and fundraising through the Friends of Starr Library organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Catalog & Circulation Services Traditional library lending services including borrowing books, audiobooks, DVDs, magazines, and other physical materials with loan periods of 1-3 weeks, automatic renewals, and a fine-free policy. Available to residents through the Mid-Hudson Library System catalog.
• Starr at Home (Home Delivery Service) Volunteer-based home delivery service bringing library materials directly to the doors of homebound Rhinebeck and Rhinecliff patrons unable to physically visit the library.
• Digital E-Resources Digital collection including e-books, audiobooks, streaming video (Kanopy, Hoopla), language learning (Transparent Languages, 120+ languages), online courses (Coursera, Creativebug), research databases (NovelNY, InfoTrac Newsstand), and career resources (JobNow/Brainfuse).
• Museum Pass Program Free museum passes available to Rhinebeck and Rhinecliff residents for regional cultural institutions including Storm King, Olana, Opus 40, FDR Presidential Library, Mohonk Preserve, Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Hudson Valley Maritime Museum, Wethersfield, and Empire Pass.
• Adult Programs Diverse adult programming including author talks, fitness classes (Chair Yoga, Qigong, Balance & Stability), game nights, support groups, meditation sessions, book clubs, concerts, Medicare navigation, and special events.
• Kids & Family Programs Early literacy programs including Storytime, Music & Movement, LEGO building, Connect & Play groups, plus summer reading challenges and seasonal craft activities for children from infants through teens and their families.
• Book Clubs Three book clubs: Starr Book Club (contemporary fiction and nonfiction), Mysteries Around the World (monthly mystery novels from different countries), and Cookbook Club (quarterly cookbook and recipe discussions).
• Roger Phillips Concert Series Seasonal music concert series featuring local and regional musicians performing various genres including chamber music, pop, rock, bluegrass, jazz, and Americana in the library's main reading room.
• Sports Equipment Lending Check-out program for sports equipment including volleyballs, nets, pickleball paddles, bocce sets, and badminton gear for use at Thompson Mazzarella courts and fields.
• Meeting Room Reservations Community room and Mary H. Frazer Room available for nonprofit, civic, and library-sponsored events with AV equipment, seating for 35, and rental options for for-profit activities at $50/half day or $100/full day.
• Genealogy & Local History Research Center Research center with genealogical resources including church/cemetery records, wills, census data, Rhinebeck Gazette on microfilm (1842-1990), Frank Teal survey maps, and local history collections. Expert research assistance available Tuesday & Thursday 10am-3pm or by appointment.
• Art Exhibitions Rotating gallery showcasing local Hudson Valley artists' work displayed throughout the library, with virtual gallery capabilities, 15% commission on sales, and application-based participation.
• Computers, Printing & Copy Center Public computer access (PCs and Macs), high-speed Wi-Fi (password: starrsecure, available 24/7 on library grounds), black-and-white printing at 25 cents per page, and free scanning services.
• Friends of Starr Library Book Sales Annual fundraising book sales organized by the Friends organization, selling hardcover/paperback books, audiobooks on CD, artwork, and vintage books with proceeds supporting library programs and collections.
• From the Archives (Rhinebeck Historical Society) Monthly archival exhibition series showcasing historical photographs, documents, and local history content from the Rhinebeck Historical Society collection.
• Ask a Librarian Reference and information services via online form for general reference questions, library materials, programs, and other inquiries.
• 2026 Summer Reading Challenge: Unearth a Story Regional summer reading program collaboration with Red Hook Public Library, Tivoli Free Library, Clinton Community Library, and Morton Memorial Library featuring a paleontology-themed scavenger hunt challenge.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $25,000 raised annually by Friends group for library support
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration16 records

Feature6 records

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Red Hook Public Library: Neighboring public library in Red Hook, NY and confirmed partner in the 2026 'Unearth a Story' regional Summer Reading Challenge. Operates as an independent public library within the Mid-Hudson Library System, serving a comparable rural/suburban Hudson Valley catchment with similar programming and shared resource pool.
• Tivoli Free Library: Small village library listed as a 2026 partner in the regional summer reading challenge. Operates with similar volunteer-driven and free-service model within the Mid-Hudson Library System, serving a comparable small-Hudson-Valley community.
• Morton Memorial Library: Pine Plains-based public library and named collaborator in the 2026 cross-library summer reading initiative. Comparable scale, funding model, and Mid-Hudson membership, making it a near-direct comparable for service offerings and operational structure.
• Woodstock Public Library: Mid-Hudson member public library serving another small Ulster County Hudson Valley community. Comparable operating model, fine-free policy, volunteer Friends organization, and program diversity make it a useful operational benchmark.
• Clinton Community Library: Named 2026 Summer Reading Challenge collaborator. Operates as a comparable small public library in the Hudson Valley, sharing Mid-Hudson infrastructure and overlapping program philosophies with Starr.

Broad incumbents

• Brooklyn Public Library: Large urban public library system that employed current Starr Director of Programming Michelle Montalbano for five years. While far larger and metropolitan, it represents a comparison point for programming depth and outreach models that inform Starr's evolution.

Regional players

• Adriance Memorial Library (Poughkeepsie): Historic Poughkeepsie public library and Mid-Hudson System member. Provides comparable reference, genealogy, and local-history services through a similar New York public library charter structure, though at a larger geographic and demographic scale than Starr.
• Poughkeepsie Public Library District: Larger public library district serving Poughkeepsie within the Mid-Hudson Library System. Geographically close but operates at meaningfully larger scale than Starr, providing a useful benchmark for service expansion and programming depth.

Emerging players

• Ritz Library at Dutchess Community College: Academic library at Dutchess Community College where current Starr Director Jaclyn Savolainen previously served as Acting Director. Provides a directly observable comparison point for instruction, reference, and outreach scale at a community-college library serving overlapping Hudson Valley residents.

Others

• Mid-Hudson Library System: The 66-library consortium that provides Starr's catalog integration, shared digital licensing, and interlibrary loan. Functions as both infrastructure provider and peer benchmarking cohort for Starr's service capabilities and programming options.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/starrlibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/starrlibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/starr-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 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 Starr Library