Licking County Library

What Licking County Library does

Licking County Library is a county-operated public library system headquartered in Newark, Ohio, serving residents of Licking County through a network of seven branches (Downtown Newark, West Newark/Emerson R. Miller, Johnstown/Mary E. Babcock, Lakewood, Utica, Buckeye Lake, Hebron) plus a mobile library fleet and two 24-hour self-service kiosks (COTC Pataskala, Legacy Park Hanover). Founded in 1908 and operating under a published Strategic Plan 2025-2028, the library delivers universal free access to physical and digital materials, educational programs, and community services, with a headcount of 51–100 employees.

The library's product surface centers on a Sirsi-powered catalog of physical books, movies, video games, and digital content, supplemented by Libby/OverDrive for eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and streaming media. Specialized services include Ask a Techspert (one-on-one technology assistance), Tutor.com (live online tutoring 3–10 PM with 24/7 resources), Beanstack-based reading tracking, home delivery for homebound patrons, and reservable meeting/study rooms. Differentiated community programs include Empowered Minds (lifelong learning for seniors, funded in part by the Licking County Senior Levy and a sustaining gift from Robert Trimble Jr.), Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (free monthly books for children birth–5, run locally through Friends of the Licking County Library), the Unearth a Story summer reading program, sensory story times with the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and virtual author talks via the Library Speakers Consortium.

The revenue model is public-sector: primary funding flows from county tax revenues and partial grants (Institute of Museum and Library Services, State Library of Ohio), supplemented by individual/business donations, Friends of the Library memberships ($10–$150/year), Friends book sales ($5/bag), and minor fees (e.g., $18.27 volunteer background check). All core services are free to cardholders. Go-to-market is community-led — physical branches, mobile outreach, school and senior-living partnerships, and digital channels (website, Facebook, Instagram, Constant Contact email newsletters) — targeting a deliberately diversified horizontal segmentation of children, teens, adults, seniors, people with disabilities, local authors, and the general public across a single U.S. county.

Name

Licking County Library

Legal name

Licking County Library

Website

https://lickingcountylibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1908

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Licking County Library is a county-operated public library system in Newark, Ohio, providing free physical and digital lending, educational programs, and community services to the residents of Licking County through seven branches, a mobile library, kiosks, and digital platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

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), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital lending
• Community education programs
• Early literacy programs
• Lifelong learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Newark

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Funding: Public library funded primarily through public funds and tax revenues to provide universal access to library services at no cost to residents.
2. Donations and Contributions: Monetary donations accepted from individuals and businesses to support programs like Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and Empowered Minds. Contact: [email protected].
3. Friends of the Library Book Sales: Friends of the Licking County Library holds periodic book sales at the former State Farm building (1440 Granville Road, Newark) with books sold at $5 per bag.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Licking County Library provides free public access to physical and digital library materials (books, eBooks, audiobooks, movies, magazines), educational and cultural programs across all age groups, technology assistance, reservable meeting and study spaces, and mobile community outreach. All core services are delivered free at point of use through a multi-branch network of seven physical branches, a Mobile Library, two 24-hour kiosks, home delivery, and online digital lending platforms.

Product overview

Licking County Library System operates as a multi-branch public library network offering a unified catalog of physical and digital materials alongside specialized programs and services. The core product is the Library Catalog providing access to books, movies, video games, and electronic resources. Digital services include eContent through Libby/OverDrive for eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming media. The library differentiates through community-focused programs including Empowered Minds (lifelong learning for seniors), Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (early childhood literacy), and the annual Unearth a Story summer reading program. Technology services feature Ask a Techspert for digital assistance and Tutor.com for academic support. The Mobile Library extends reach to underserved areas, while Home Delivery Service ensures access for homebound patrons.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Catalog Online searchable catalog allowing patrons to browse, reserve, and manage library materials including books, movies, video games, and electronic resources. Available to any Licking County resident with a library card.
• eContent (eBooks, Audiobooks & Digital Media) Digital lending service for eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, magazines and streaming content accessible 24/7 via the Libby/OverDrive platform with a library card.
• Ask a Techspert Technology assistance program offering expert guidance on devices, software, digital safety, and troubleshooting. Free appointments are available at any Licking County Library location or via Zoom.
• Home Delivery Service Free delivery of library materials to the homes of patrons who are unable to visit library locations, at no cost to the patron.
• Unearth a Story (Summer Library Program) Annual summer reading program for children featuring creative stories, hands-on activities, and prizes, sponsored by Friends of the Licking County Library.
• Empowered Minds Lifelong learning classes for retirement-age community members covering history, technology, science, writing, art, health & wellness, and business, offered weekly in-person and virtually at Downtown Newark and Johnstown locations.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program providing a free book mailed to the home every month to children from birth through age 5. Local county partner is the Friends of the Licking County Library; open to all Licking County residents.
• Mobile Library Bookmobile service bringing books, crafts, games, and interactive displays to communities, residential neighborhoods, senior living facilities, and events throughout Licking County.
• Meeting & Study Rooms Reservable rooms available at various Licking County Library locations for community meetings, study sessions, and group gatherings.
• Tutor.com Live online tutoring available daily 3-10 PM, with study resources and practice tests accessible 24/7 for students of all ages, accessible via a dedicated link through the library's website.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free monthly books for children birth to age 5 through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
• +1 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Friends of the Licking County LibrarycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Friends of the Licking County Library is a critical supporting organization that runs book sales, membership drives, and fundraising to support library programs including Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. They sponsor the Summer Library Program and hold periodic book sales ($5 per bag) at the former State Farm building.
• Library Speakers ConsortiumcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership bringing virtual author talks to library patrons. Past events include talks with Lucy Foley, Karin Slaughter, and Reyna Grande. Library Speakers Consortium enables access to bestselling authors through webinar-style virtual events.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram that sends a free book every month to children from birth until their 5th birthday. Local county partner is Friends of the Licking County Library. Participating libraries include Alexandria, Granville, Homer, and Pataskala. The program is open to all Licking County residents regardless of library card status.
• Tutor.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline tutoring partnership providing live tutoring daily 3-10 PM and resources/practice tests available 24/7 for students of all ages through the library's website.
• Licking County Board of Developmental DisabilitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership leading sensory story times with sensory bins, stories, and movement activities. An American Sign Language Interpreter is present for summer sensory story times to ensure accessibility.
• Buckeye Valley Family YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMCA partners with library for Y on the Fly program bringing games and STEM/STEAM activities to library locations.
• Local Schools and PreschoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with local educational institutions for programs including Kindergarten Boot Camp, Summer Lunches program (free lunches for children 18 and under), and class visits.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County: Major Ohio public library system with a multi-branch footprint, robust digital lending, and well-developed programming for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Directly comparable to LCL in mission, levy funding model, and community-led service delivery.
• Dayton Metro Library: Montgomery County public library system operating multiple branches plus mobile services. Comparable in scale to LCL, with similar emphasis on technology assistance, digital content, and outreach to underserved populations.
• Toledo Lucas County Public Library: Northwest Ohio public library system with multiple branches, a mobile fleet, and an emphasis on community programs and digital access. Comparable governance, funding mix, and service breadth to LCL.
• Columbus Metropolitan Library: The largest public library system in central Ohio, operating multiple branches serving Franklin County. Highly comparable to LCL in governance (county-level public library), service model (multi-branch, mobile services, digital lending), and program portfolio including early literacy, senior programs, and technology assistance.
• Akron-Summit County Public Library: County-level public library in northeast Ohio offering multi-branch service, mobile library, digital lending, and community programming. Operates a similar mix of public-funded, donation-supported, and levy-funded services.
• Cuyahoga County Public Library: Public library system serving Cuyahoga County (Greater Cleveland) with an extensive branch network, mobile services, and a similarly broad program offering. Comparable in funding model (county library levy), digital lending integration, and community partnerships for lifelong learning.

Broad incumbents

• Internet Archive: Nonprofit digital library offering free e-book lending (Open Library), archived web content, and media. Overlaps with LCL's digital lending and information-access mission but operates nationally as a much larger, technology-led platform rather than a county-branch network.
• New York Public Library: Largest U.S. public library system with branch network, free programming, and extensive digital lending. A broader incumbent whose operating model, technology partnerships, and program portfolio are widely emulated by mid-size county libraries like LCL.

Others

• Beanstack (Zoobean): Reading-challenge and engagement platform used by LCL for the Summer Library Program and other initiatives. Ecosystem peer (vendor) whose tooling materially affects how LCL runs reading-engagement programs.
• Overdrive (Libby): Vendor whose Libby/OverDrive platform powers LCL's e-book, audiobook, and streaming lending. Included as an ecosystem peer (supplier/technology provider) rather than a competitor; shapes the digital lending capability available to LCL patrons.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LCLibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/lickingcountylibrary
• Xx.com/LCLibrary101
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/licking-county-library-ohio

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 Licking County Library