Pembroke Public Library

What Pembroke Public Library does

Pembroke Public Library is a municipal public library operated by the Town of Pembroke, Massachusetts, providing free access to physical and digital collections, educational resources, and community programming for Pembroke residents. Founded in 1885 and serving the community for over 140 years, the library is located at 142 Center Street, Pembroke, with operating hours of Monday–Thursday 9 AM–8 PM and Friday–Saturday 9 AM–5 PM, and is closed on Sundays and legal holidays. Its core lending catalog spans books, DVDs, video games, audiobooks, music, magazines, and newspapers, complemented by specialized offerings such as a Seed Library, a Library of Things (including Cricut Joy craft machines on 14-day loan), museum passes, mobile hotspots, and the Words on Wheels outreach service for patrons who cannot visit in person.

The library operates on the SAILS Library Network (Southeastern Automated Libraries Integrated System), an integrated library system connecting Pembroke to more than 60 libraries across Massachusetts, with statewide reach extended through the Commonwealth Catalog (ComCat) interlibrary loan system administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Digital content is delivered through a layered stack of third-party platforms: OverDrive/Libby for downloadable eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines; hoopla for movies, TV, music, audiobooks, eBooks, and graphic novels (8 items per month per cardholder); Kanopy for curated film and documentary streaming (8 items per month); Mango Languages for over 70 world languages; plus educational and reference databases including AtoZdatabases, Consumer Reports, Creativebug, Transparent Languages, Universal Class, and New York Times all-access. The SAILS Mobile App provides cardless entry, account linking for family members, and catalog search, and a Boston Public Library eCard partnership extends patrons' digital reach.

The library's business model is non-commercial and non-transactional. Services are free to Pembroke residents with a valid library card ($1 for replacements), funded through municipal appropriations rather than earned revenue, with supplementary support from the Friends of the Pembroke Public Library and the Pembroke Public Library Foundation. Programming spans early literacy (1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, Educate Station), K–12 homework help segmented by grade band, adult and teen book clubs, movie matinees, Pembroke Cooks baking club, and a Summer Reading Program run separately for kids, tweens/teens, and adults. Distribution combines the physical branch, curbside pickup, Words on Wheels mobile outreach, the SAILS Mobile App, and 24/7 digital access, with marketing conducted through the library's website, LibraryAware email newsletter, community events listed via Burbio, a patron suggestion box, and personalized reading recommendations.

Name

Pembroke Public Library

Legal name

Pembroke Public Library

Website

https://pembrokepubliclibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1885

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pembroke Public Library is a municipal public library serving Pembroke, Massachusetts, providing free physical and digital lending, community programming, and educational resources to residents through the SAILS Library Network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

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

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)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Book and media lending
• Digital content streaming
• Interlibrary loan services
• Community literacy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Pembroke

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pembroke Public Library is a municipal public library providing free borrowing access to physical collections (books, DVDs, video games, audiobooks, music, magazines, newspapers) and digital collections (eBooks, audiobooks, streaming video, music). Services are delivered through a single physical branch, the SAILS regional network of 60+ Massachusetts libraries, statewide interlibrary loan, and educational/cultural programming for all ages.

Product overview

Pembroke Public Library operates as a traditional public library serving the Town of Pembroke, Massachusetts, offering a unified service model centered on physical and digital lending. The core library service includes physical library cards granting access to the SAILS Library Network of 60+ Massachusetts libraries, alongside digital offerings through three major platforms: OverDrive/Libby for eBooks and audiobooks, hoopla for multimedia streaming, and Kanopy for video content. The library extends beyond traditional lending with specialized collections including a Seed Library, Library of Things (tools like Cricut machines), museum passes, and mobile hotspot lending. Programming spans literacy initiatives like the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program and Summer Reading, while facilities include meeting rooms, passport services, curbside pickup, and wireless printing. Educational databases include Mango Languages, AtoZdatabases, Consumer Reports, Creativebug, New York Times, Transparent Languages, and Universal Class.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Card / eCard Free library membership cards for Pembroke residents with valid photo ID and proof of address. Physical cards provide access to the SAILS network of 60+ Massachusetts libraries, while eCards provide immediate 24/7 access to digital collections.
• OverDrive / Libby App Downloadable audiobooks, eBooks across all genres, and magazines accessible through the Libby app on almost any device for SAILS member library cardholders.
• hoopla Digital Streaming and download service offering movies, television shows, music albums, audiobooks, eBooks, and graphic novels. Each Pembroke cardholder may borrow 8 items per month.
• Kanopy Video streaming service providing access to critically acclaimed movies, documentaries, Great Courses, and kids' favorites from studios including A24, The Criterion Collection, and PBS. Each cardholder may view 8 items per month.
• Mango Languages Online language learning platform offering courses in over 70 world languages and dialects using conversational methodology with audio from native speakers.
• Seed Library Free seeds available to patrons to support gardening and growing initiatives; located next to the YA Room.
• Words on Wheels Mobile library outreach service that brings library materials to community members who cannot visit the library in person.
• Library of Things Lending program for non-traditional items including Cricut Joy craft machines. Loan period is 14 days.
• Museum Passes Free or reduced admission passes to local museums and attractions for library cardholders.
• 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Early literacy initiative encouraging families to read 1,000 books with their children before kindergarten.
• PPL Book Club Monthly book discussion group for adults.
• Pembroke Cooks Baking club open to families, teens, and adults.
• Summer Reading Program Annual summer literacy program with separate tracks for kids, tweens/teens, and adults; the 2026 program is currently running.
• Educate Station Full curriculum resources for Pre-K to grade 5, aligned to classroom learning.
• Local History Room Resources and materials for researching local Pembroke history.
• Passport Services Passport application and processing services offered at the library.
• Curbside Pickup Contactless pickup service for library materials reserved by patrons.
• Meeting Rooms Conference and meeting room rentals available for community use.
• Wireless Printing Remote printing service allowing patrons to send print jobs from home and pick up at the library.
• Borrow a Hotspot Mobile hotspot lending program for patrons needing internet access.
• AtoZdatabases Research database providing business, people, and household lookup information for library cardholders.
• Consumer Reports Subscription research database for product reviews and buying guidance.
• Creativebug Online arts and crafts instruction platform with tutorials for patrons.
• New York Times All Access Free online access to The New York Times including news, cooking, games, and Wirecutter for library cardholders.
• Transparent Languages Online language learning resource available to library cardholders.
• Universal Class Online continuing education platform with self-paced courses across many subjects for library cardholders.
• Boston Public Library eCard Partnership program allowing Pembroke patrons to apply online for a Boston Public Library eCard for instant access to BPL's eBooks, streaming media, and digital magazines.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• SAILS Library NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationSAILS (Southeastern Automated Libraries Integrated System) is a consortium of over 60 libraries in Massachusetts. Pembroke Public Library is a member, providing patrons access to the shared catalog, interlibrary loan, and collaborative digital resources across the network.
• Commonwealth Catalog (ComCat)coreTechnology or IntegrationStatewide interlibrary loan system administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, enabling patrons to request and receive materials from public and academic libraries throughout Massachusetts.
• OverDrivecoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital media platform providing eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines. Available through SAILS member libraries including Pembroke. Patrons access content using their library card number and PIN.
• hoopla DigitalcoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital content platform providing movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, eBooks, and graphic novels for temporary download. Each Pembroke cardholder may borrow 8 hoopla items per month.
• KanopycoreTechnology or IntegrationVideo streaming service partnering with studios including A24, The Criterion Collection, PBS, and more. Each Pembroke cardholder may view 8 items per month.
• Mango LanguagescoreTechnology or IntegrationLanguage learning platform offering over 70 world languages through conversational methodology with native speaker audio recordings.
• Boston Public LibrarysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatrons can apply online for a Boston Public Library eCard providing instant access to BPL's collection of eBooks, streaming media, and digital magazines.
• Friends of the Pembroke Public LibrarysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit support organization that provides funding, sponsorships, and volunteer support for library programs and services.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• OverDrive: The vendor behind the Libby/OverDrive digital lending platform used by Pembroke. Relevant as a key enabling technology provider whose commercial decisions directly shape the library's digital service offering.
• SAILS Library Network: The library consortium of which Pembroke is a member. Not a competitor but the integrating infrastructure that Pembroke depends on for shared catalog, interlibrary loan, and coordinated digital licensing—directly comparable as the network ecosystem player.

Regional players

• CWMARS: Central and Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing, a sibling library consortium covering a different region of Massachusetts. Comparable as a Massachusetts library network providing shared catalog and ILL services analogous to SAILS.

Broad incumbents

• Boston Public Library: The largest public library in Massachusetts and a national reference institution. Comparable as a Massachusetts public library operating the same class of digital services (eBooks, streaming) at much greater scale, and already partners with Pembroke via the eCard program.

Direct peers

• Halifax Public Library: A small SAILS Network member public library in Halifax, MA, serving a similar small-town population on the South Shore. Direct comparison for budget scale, patron counts, and service breadth.
• Kingston Public Library: A neighboring Massachusetts municipal public library and fellow SAILS Network member serving a similarly sized South Shore community. Directly comparable in operating model, funding structure, digital platform offerings, and patron base characteristics.
• Duxbury Free Library: A nearby SAILS-member public library on the Massachusetts South Shore serving a similar suburban community. Comparable in service mix (physical lending, digital platforms via OverDrive/hoopla/Kanopy, community programming) and municipal funding model.
• Canton Public Library: A mid-sized Massachusetts public library serving Canton, MA. Comparable in operating model, digital platform offerings, and community programming focus, providing a useful benchmark for slightly larger small-town library operations.
• Plymouth Public Library: A larger SAILS Network member public library in Plymouth, MA. Comparable as a Massachusetts municipal public library with the same digital platform stack and interlibrary loan access, though serving a larger population.
• Hanson Public Library: A small SAILS-member municipal public library serving the adjacent town of Hanson, MA. Closely comparable in scale, funding structure, and the small-town public library service profile that defines Pembroke.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pembroke_pl
• Facebookfacebook.com/PembrokePL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pembroke-town-library

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 Pembroke Public Library