Partners Library Action Network
Partners Library Action Network (PLAN) is a Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization serving 208 small and rural Texas public libraries across 109 counties with consulting, training, consortium services, and vendor discounts, funded primarily by foundation grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Partners Library Action Network does
Partners Library Action Network (PLAN) is a Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization providing technical assistance, consulting, training, and consortium services to small and rural Texas public libraries. Originally founded in 2006 as the Central Texas Library System (CTLS) — a successor to a Texas State Library regional program — the organization rebranded to PLAN in 2021 to reflect its statewide mission after eight of nine other Texas regional library systems closed in FY 2012-2013. PLAN serves 208 member libraries across 109 Texas counties, with a target constituency of 361 small and rural libraries serving approximately 2.8 million people. Many of these libraries have no full-time staff (39%) or ALA-accredited MLS staff (80%), making PLAN a critical support structure.
PLAN's core products are two membership tiers (Level 1 at $468/year and Level 2 at $936/year), which provide access to collaborative grant opportunities, vendor discounts across 30+ partners, networking events, consulting, and member-to-member resources. Optional add-on services include the Large Print Subscription ($200/year), Hoopla Flex Consortium ($500/year, digital ebooks and e-audiobooks), Performer Directory listing ($35/year), and fee-based enhanced consulting. The organization runs a Leadership Institute training program (approximately 70 participants in 2025) and professional development workshops. There is no proprietary technology product; PLAN operates on a GrowthZone CMS-powered membership portal at members.libaction.net.
PLAN's revenue model is hybrid nonprofit: membership fees contribute less than one-third of total revenue, with the majority funded by foundation grants (Tocker, Trull, Still Water), government grants (IMLS/TSLAC), and donations. The organization operates with a lean 2.5-4 person staff from a single office in Austin, TX (5806 Mesa Dr, Suite 375), provided by the Tocker Foundation. GTM is sales-led and membership-based, with outreach to Texas public libraries through professional networks, events, and referrals.
Partners Library Action Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Partners Library Action Network
- Legal name
- Partners Library Action Network
- Website
- https://libaction.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Partners Library Action Network (PLAN) is a Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization serving 208 small and rural Texas public libraries across 109 counties with consulting, training, consortium services, and vendor discounts, funded primarily by foundation grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Partners Library Action Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Library Support Services
- NAICS
- Professional Organizations (81392), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Affinity, Membership & Association Referral Programs (FSAEAMAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)
Keywords
Where Partners Library Action Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Partners Library Action Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: PLAN generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees from library members. Level 1 Membership is $468/year and Level 2 Membership is $936/year. Membership fees represent less than 1/3 of total revenues.
- Foundation Grants and Donations: PLAN receives financial support from foundations including Tocker Foundation, Trull Foundation, and Still Water Foundation. Membership fees alone are insufficient, so PLAN relies on foundational support, grants, and donations to operate.
- Optional Services and Subscriptions: Additional revenue streams include Large Print Subscription ($200/year) and Hoopla Consortium membership ($500/year). Enhanced consulting services are available for a fee.
- Performer Advertising Membership: Performers can purchase an annual advertising membership for $35 to be listed in the Performer Directory.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Level 1 Membership - Basic access with core benefits |
| Subscription | Annual | Level 2 Membership - Premium tier with enhanced benefits |
| Subscription | Annual | Large Print Subscription - Book delivery service |
| Subscription | Annual | Hoopla Consortium - Digital content consortium |
| Subscription | Annual | Performer Advertising Membership - Directory listing for performers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Partners Library Action Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Partners Library Action Network (PLAN) is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that provides technical assistance, consulting, training, consortium services, and vendor discounts to small and rural public libraries across Texas. It operates tiered annual memberships (Level 1 at $468/year and Level 2 at $936/year) and offers optional add-on programs including a Large Print book circuit, a Hoopla digital content consortium, performer directories, and enhanced consulting.
Product overview
Partners Library Action Network (PLAN) is a membership organization for Texas public libraries offering a tiered membership program with two levels (Level 1 and Level 2). The core offering consists of membership benefits including collaborative grant opportunities, vendor discount programs, networking events, consulting services, and training programs. Optional add-on services include the Large Print Subscription, Hoopla Consortium for digital content, Performer Showcase Directory, Leadership Institute Trainings, Professional Development Trainings, Lending Catalog, and Guide to Grants. The organization operates as a nonprofit consortium supporting small and rural Texas libraries with resources, expertise, and training opportunities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Level 1 Membership Entry-level annual membership ($468/year) providing Texas public libraries with collaborative grant opportunities, vendor discount program access, networking events, minor consulting, and email lists.
- Level 2 Membership Premium annual membership ($936/year) for Texas public libraries, including all Level 1 benefits plus 2 free tickets at ticketed events per library annually, 10 hours of extended consultation (which may include a custom staff training workshop), and a site visit if requested.
- Large Print Subscription Optional annual subscription ($200/year) delivering 150 large print books in 3 shipments per year (50 books per shipment) with free shipping to PLAN member libraries. Participating libraries must be PLAN members and pay the circuit fee by November 1.
- Hoopla Consortium Annual consortium program ($500/year, consortium year October 1 to September 30) providing PLAN member libraries with access to ebooks and e-audiobooks through hoopla Flex on a one-copy, one-user model. 100% of the fee is used to purchase content with no platform or hosting fees; PLAN staff purchases and manages content.
- Consulting Services Consulting services delivered on-site or remotely to member libraries covering policies, reporting, collection development, staffing, facilities, technology, and programming. Basic consulting is included with membership; enhanced consulting services (including facility assessments, strategic planning, SWOT analysis, demographic analysis, staffing models, board training, and focus group facilitation) are available for an additional fee.
- Performer Showcase Advertising Annual advertising membership ($35/year) allowing performers to be listed in the PLAN Performer Directory accessible to PLAN member libraries for booking programming and events.
- Leadership Institute Trainings Multipart leadership training program for library staff covering leadership development topics, developed through IMLS/TSLAC grant funding. Approximately 70 participants were enrolled in 2025.
- Professional Development Trainings Training workshops for library staff covering AI in the Library, Children/Youth/Adult Programming, Community Centered Libraries, Book Challenges, and Leadership Development, delivered in person and virtually.
Quantifiable outcome
- 208 member libraries across 109 Texas counties
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Partners Library Action Network
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Partners Library Action Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Partners Library Action Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- BiblionixminorBiblionix is listed as a sponsor on PLAN's website, providing support for the organization alongside the other foundations.
- hooplacorePLAN and hoopla formed a consortium for hoopla Flex content - one copy, one user model. The consortium provides ebooks and e-audiobooks to member libraries. PLAN staff purchases and manages content; 100% of the $500 annual consortium fee is used to purchase content with no platform or hosting fees.
- Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC)corePLAN partnered with TSLAC for IMLS/TSLAC grants including a library rescue program and library training program. These grants enabled PLAN to partner with libraries for 'makeovers' and implement multipart Library Leadership training.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Partners Library Action Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Pacific Northwest Library Association: A multi-state regional library association serving the Pacific Northwest. Comparable to PLAN as a regional association delivering training and member services, though geographically separate.
Direct peers
- Bibliographical Center for Research (BCR): A library consortium providing cooperative services to member libraries across multiple states. Similar membership-based model with shared purchasing, training, and consulting offerings to PLAN.
- LYRASIS: A large nonprofit consortium offering libraries technology, content, and professional development services through collective programs. Operates a similar member-based shared-services model at a multi-state scale.
- Amigos Library Services: A nonprofit library consortium serving primarily southwestern and southeastern US libraries with cooperative purchasing, training, and shared services — a near-direct functional analog to PLAN's vendor discount and consortium offerings.
- Texas Library Association: The state-level professional association for Texas librarians. TLA and PLAN both serve Texas library professionals with advocacy, training, and events, though TLA focuses on individual membership/advocacy while PLAN focuses on institutional membership and operational support.
- Northeast Kansas Library System: A Kansas regional library system offering member libraries consulting, training, and shared services. Operates the same fundamental model as PLAN but within Kansas rather than Texas.
Broad incumbents
- American Library Association: The national professional association for libraries. ALA is the broad incumbent operating at the national level with overlapping mission areas (advocacy, professional development, standards), while PLAN delivers the institutional/operational support layer at the state level that ALA does not.
- Library Systems & Services (LSSI): A private-sector library management and consulting firm. Adjacent peer offering library operations support and consulting to municipal/county libraries, though on a for-profit basis rather than nonprofit membership model.
Others
- Biblionix: An ILS/library automation vendor listed as a PLAN sponsor. Compares as a technology vendor adjacent to PLAN's mission of supporting small/rural libraries with operational tools.
- OverDrive: The digital content platform that powers hoopla (PLAN's consortium partner). Comparable as the upstream digital-content ecosystem provider serving libraries, with overlapping customer base even though the business model differs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Partners Library Action Network social profiles
Digital presencePartners Library Action Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Partners Library Action Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Partners Library Action Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Partners Library Action Network 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 Partners Library Action Network
What does Partners Library Action Network do?
Partners Library Action Network (PLAN) is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that provides technical assistance, consulting, training, consortium services, and vendor discounts to small and rural public libraries across Texas. It operates tiered annual memberships (Level 1 at $468/year and Level 2 at $936/year) and offers optional add-on programs including a Large Print book circuit, a Hoopla digital content consortium, performer directories, and enhanced consulting.
Is Partners Library Action Network a public or private company?
Partners Library Action Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Partners Library Action Network founded?
Partners Library Action Network was founded in 2006.
Where is Partners Library Action Network based?
Partners Library Action Network is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Partners Library Action Network make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are foundation Grants and Donations, optional Services and Subscriptions and performer Advertising Membership.
Who are Partners Library Action Network's main competitors?
Pacific Northwest Library Association is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Bibliographical Center for Research (BCR), LYRASIS, Amigos Library Services, Texas Library Association and Northeast Kansas Library System. Broad incumbents are American Library Association and Library Systems & Services (LSSI). Others are Biblionix and OverDrive.
Does Partners Library Action Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for Partners Library Action Network.
What industry is Partners Library Action Network in?
Partners Library Action Network's product category is Library Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEAMAL, Affinity, Membership & Association Referral Programs, with a secondary code of THAHACAA, Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies). Its NAICS code is 81392 and its SIC code is 8600.