State Library of North Carolina

What State Library of North Carolina does

The State Library of North Carolina, legally the Library of North Carolina, is a state government agency operating under the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR). Founded in 1812 and headquartered at 109 East Jones St. in Raleigh, the Library operates three integrated divisions: Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS), which provides free audiobooks, braille, large print, and described video to NC residents unable to read standard print; the Government & Heritage Library (GHL), which supports research into NC history, government information, and genealogy; and Library Development, which administers statewide programs, consulting, continuing education, grant programs, and the NC Cardinal consortium. The Library serves all North Carolina residents, state employees, students and educators, blind and print-disabled individuals, and the 400+ public and academic libraries that participate in its consortium and grant programs.

The Library's underlying technology consists of standard library systems rather than proprietary platforms, including the GHL Classic Catalog, GHL Search Everything, the ABLS Catalog, and the NC Digital Collections (a digital archive of 90,000+ items including photographs, manuscripts, and state publications). Accessible materials are delivered via USPS mail and the BARD digital download platform operated by the Library of Congress National Library Service. Patron engagement channels include in-person reference, phone, email, Libraryh3lp live chat, the NCpedia online encyclopedia (8,400+ entries), the ANCHOR NC history resource, and the Tar Heel Talk newsletter.

The Library's revenue model is entirely government-funded: state appropriations, federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants administered through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the State Aid to Public Libraries Fund, and State Fiscal Recovery Funds. All services are provided free of charge to eligible users, including the GHL library card and ABLS accessible materials with shipping included. The Library's go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer via in-person, digital, and mail channels, supplemented by B2B-equivalent support to NC public libraries through grants, certification (Public Librarian Certification Commission), E-Rate program administration, and the NC Cardinal shared catalog consortium.

Name

State Library of North Carolina

Legal name

Library of North Carolina

Website

https://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov

Company type

Public

Founded year

1812

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The State Library of North Carolina is a state government agency, founded in 1812 and part of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, operating three divisions (ABLS, Government & Heritage Library, Library Development) to serve NC residents, libraries, and blind/print-disabled users with free reference, accessible materials, and grant administration.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

State Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Archives, Special Collections & Preservation Operations (Rare Materials, Conservation) (EDAEAGAJ), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• State library services
• Accessible library materials
• Library grant administration
• Government information services
• Digital library collections

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (Federal LSTA): Federally allocated funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). These funds support grants to local libraries, statewide programs, and services.
2. Government Funding (State Aid): State allocated funds through the Aid to Public Libraries Fund for qualifying public libraries in North Carolina.
3. State Fiscal Recovery Funds: Non-recurring SFRF (State Fiscal Recovery Funds) appropriated for public libraries that qualify for State Aid to Public Libraries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The State Library of North Carolina provides free library and information services to North Carolina residents and support to the state's 400+ public and academic libraries through three divisions: Accessible Books and Library Services (circulating braille, audio, large print, and described-video materials for blind and print-disabled residents), the Government & Heritage Library (NC government information, genealogy, history, and cultural heritage research), and Library Development (grants, consulting, continuing education, E-Rate program administration, and NC Cardinal consortium management). It also operates the NC Digital Collections archive, NCpedia, ANCHOR, and the Public Librarian Certification Commission.

Product overview

The State Library of North Carolina operates as a state government library system with three main divisions: Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS) providing free materials for print-disabled residents, the Government & Heritage Library offering research services and NC government information, and Library Development supporting libraries statewide. Key programs include the NC Cardinal consortium for resource sharing, LSTA grant administration, E-Rate program support, and Public Librarian Certification. The library also provides digital resources including NCpedia encyclopedia, ANCHOR history resource, and the NC Digital Collections archive. Library Development manages continuing education, consulting services, and digital opportunity initiatives including the Libraries Strengthening Connections project.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS): A special public library that circulates books and magazines especially made for persons who cannot use regular printed material because of a visual, physical or reading disability. Also part of the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled network.
• Government & Heritage Library (GHL)
• Library Development

Products and services

• Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS) A free library service providing audiobooks, braille, large print, and described videos to North Carolinians unable to read standard print due to low vision, blindness, or physical, perceptual, or reading disability. Materials are delivered free by mail or via the BARD digital download platform.
• Government & Heritage Library (GHL) Provides research assistance, reference services, and access to NC history, government information, genealogy resources, and digital information management for state employees, family historians, and public researchers.
• Library Development Supports North Carolina libraries with statewide programs, consulting services, continuing education, grant administration, and NC Cardinal consortium management.
• NC Cardinal A consortium of North Carolina public libraries providing shared catalog, resource sharing, and cost savings for member libraries across the state.
• NC Digital Collections Digital archive containing 90,000+ historic photographs, state government publications, manuscripts, and other North Carolina resources from the State Library and State Archives, searchable and accessible online.
• Government & Heritage Library Card Free library card available to all North Carolina residents that enables borrowing from the Government & Heritage Library collection and remote access to NC LIVE online databases.
• NCpedia Online encyclopedia about North Carolina with over 8,400 entries covering NC history, people, culture, and resources, managed by the Government and Heritage Library.
• ANCHOR (NC History Online Resource) North Carolina History Online Resource designed for grades 8 and up, containing primary and secondary source entries, multimedia resources, and instructional materials.
• Libraries Strengthening Connections Digital skills facilitation project providing resources and support to libraries to help staff assist communities with technology and online skills questions.
• E-Rate Program Administration Federal program administration helping NC public libraries apply for discounts on internet services to increase broadband connectivity, administered in partnership with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), with Clarisa Arguello serving as State E-rate Coordinator.
• Public Librarian Certification Certification program setting minimum standards for public librarians in North Carolina, administered by the NC Public Librarian Certification Commission.
• LSTA Grants Library Services and Technology Act grants funded by IMLS, supporting community projects and statewide services for libraries across North Carolina.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS) is part of the national network of regional libraries operated by the Library of Congress NLS. This partnership provides access to the national collection of braille and audio materials for eligible NC residents. Patrons can access BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) through this partnership.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Library of Michigan: Michigan state library providing LSTA administration, library services for the blind and physically handicapped, and statewide library development support. Operationally comparable.
• California State Library: Large U.S. state library providing blind and print disabled services, library development, grants administration, and government publications. Comparable in operational scope and divisions.
• New York State Library: State library operated within the New York State Education Department, providing research services, government information access, and library development support. Directly comparable in regulatory mandate and service mix.
• South Carolina State Library: Neighboring Southeast state library providing library development, talking book services, and government information access. Highly comparable in regional context and service mix.
• Texas State Library and Archives Commission: State library and archives entity operating with similar divisions including library development, talking book program for the blind, and state/federal documents access. Strong structural peer.
• State Library of Ohio: Ohio state library providing LSTA grant administration, continuing education for library staff, and statewide library services. Comparable in regulatory mandate and library development role.
• State Library of Virginia: Another long-standing U.S. state library providing government information, digital collections, and library development support to its state. Highly comparable in mandate, structure, and services to the State Library of North Carolina.
• State Library and Archives of Florida: Florida state library and archives providing library development, government publications, and a Talking Books Library for the blind. Comparable scope and service mix.
• Georgia Public Library Service: State-level library agency serving Georgia public libraries through grants, consulting, and PINES consortium. Comparable mandate in library development and consortium operations.

Broad incumbents

• Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled: Federal program that operates the national network of which State Library of NC's ABLS is a regional member. Provides national braille and audiobook catalog and BARD platform—directly relevant to ABLS operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ForEverythingNC
• Facebookfacebook.com/SLNCGHL

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 State Library of North Carolina