Lake County Public Library Foundation

What Lake County Public Library Foundation does

The Lake County Public Library Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization established in 1984 by community members concerned about library service quality. It supports the Lake County Public Library system, a nine-branch public library headquartered at 1919 W 81st Ave in Merrillville, Indiana, serving residents across Lake County in communities including Cedar Lake, Dyer-Schererville, Griffith-Calumet Township, Highland, Hobart, Lake Station-New Chicago, Munster, and St. John. The Foundation administers donated funds, investing principal and spending only interest income on library materials and programs, with the Foundation enhancing rather than supplanting public tax-based funding. It serves as primary sponsor for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in the district and runs annual fundraising events including the Literary Tea and Read-a-Thon.

The Foundation supports a comprehensive library platform offering physical collections (books, DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs, video games) alongside digital streaming via Overdrive/Libby, Hoopla (16 checkouts/month), and Kanopy (48 tickets/month). The technology stack includes the IIIVega integrated library catalog, 25+ third-party integrations (LinkedIn Learning, Tutor.com, Mango Languages, LearningExpress Library, INSPIRE, Gale, EBSCO, Britannica, Consumer Reports, Wall Street Journal, New York Times), and specialized maker services through The Libratory featuring Dremel 3D45 and BambuLab X1-Carbon 3D printers. Genealogy scanner stations with document translation in 65 languages are deployed across 8 branches. Programs include Summer Reading, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, 100 Books Before Graduation, and ComicFest.

The revenue model is primarily tax-funded through property taxes from nine designated school districts, supplemented by the Foundation's donation-based fundraising. Additional revenue streams include non-resident subscriptions ($60/year regulated by Indiana Code 36-12-2-25), usage-based fees for 3D printing and copy/scan/fax services, meeting room rentals ($25-$150), and select overdue fines ($1.00/day, max $10.00 on Bestseller Express, Interlibrary Loan, Book Club Kits, and video games). Most services are free. Customer segments span general residents, children and families, K-12 and post-secondary students, job seekers, genealogy researchers, patrons with disabilities, and local nonprofits. The go-to-market motion is community-led, leveraging school partnerships, Foundation events, and 9 physical branches for engagement.

Name

Lake County Public Library Foundation

Legal name

Lake County Public Library Foundation

Website

https://lcplin.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Lake County Public Library Foundation is an independent nonprofit established in 1984 that supports the Lake County Public Library system, serving Lake County, Indiana residents through nine branches offering physical and digital collections, maker services, and community programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

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

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community library programs
• Digital media lending
• Maker space services
• Educational research databases

Headquarters

HQ city

Merrillville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Property Tax Revenue: Primary funding from residents within the Lake County Public Library district through property taxes. Residents in specific school districts (Griffith, Hanover, Highland, Hobart, Lake Central, Lake Ridge, Lake Station, Merrillville, Munster, River Forest) receive Full Access Cards.
2. Library Subscriptions: Non-resident subscriptions at $60/year for full access to digital collections and services.
3. Fines and Fees: Overdue fines for select items (Bestseller Express, Interlibrary Loan, Book Club Kits, Video Game Consoles, Video Games) at $1.00/day max $10.00. Lost item fees based on retail price. Most items are fine-free.
4. Donations and Memorial Gifts: Monetary contributions accepted for materials purchases, memorials, and general support. Donations invested with only interest spent on library materials.
5. Book Sale Revenue: Friends of the Library operate book sale room and annual sales. All proceeds support library programs and materials acquisition.
6. 3D Printing and Services: 3D printing services at $0.10-$0.25/gram, plus copying, scanning, and faxing services.
7. Amazon Affiliate Program: Portion of Amazon purchases made through library referral link supports materials budget.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Lake County Public Library Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that raises and administers funds to support the Lake County Public Library system. It funds and supplements physical and digital library collections, community literacy programs (Summer Reading, Read-a-Thon, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library), maker-space services such as 3D printing, and special research resources including genealogy scanning, providing residents free access to books, streaming media, databases, and educational services across nine branch locations in Lake County, Indiana.

Product overview

Lake County Public Library Foundation supports the Lake County Public Library system, a nine-branch public library serving Lake County, Indiana. The library operates as a unified platform offering physical collections, digital streaming services, and maker spaces. Core offerings include physical materials (books, DVDs, audiobooks) across 9 branches and a digital streaming collection accessible via Overdrive/Libby, Hoopla, and Kanopy. The library provides research databases through INSPIRE and Gale/EBSCO partnerships, learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning and LearningExpress Library, and maker services through The Libratory featuring 3D printing (Dremel 3D45 and BambuLab X1-Carbon printers). Supporting programs include Summer Reading, Read-a-Thon, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Foundation funding enhances tax-based services and sponsors literacy initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physical Collection Borrowing Traditional library materials including books, DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs, video games, and magazines available for checkout across 9 branch locations for Lake County residents with Full Access library cards.
• Digital Streaming Collection Online access to eBooks, audiobooks, music, movies, TV shows, comics, and magazines available for streaming or download via Overdrive/Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, and Freegal platforms for library cardholders.
• Online Research Databases Suite of research databases covering business, education, genealogy, history, science, literature, newspapers, and career resources (including INSPIRE, Gale, EBSCO, Britannica, Morningstar, and Consumer Reports) accessible with library card.
• The Libratory Maker Space Community maker space at the Merrillville branch providing 3D printing services using Dremel 3D45 and BambuLab X1-Carbon printers, film/audio conversion, and other maker equipment for cardholders.
• Genealogy Scanner Stations Special book scanners at 8 branches designed for genealogy and local history research, providing free scanning to USB, email, Google Drive, Dropbox, or smartphone QR code with document translation and text-to-audio features.
• Scan, Fax, and Copy Services Multi-function machines at all branch locations for scanning, faxing, and copying with pay-as-you-go pricing.
• LinkedIn Learning Video-based online learning platform for business, software, technology, and creative skills, included with Full Access library cards.
• Tutor.com Live Tutoring Live online tutoring service available 4-11 PM daily providing homework help, writing assistance, and test preparation support from real tutors.
• LearningExpress Library Test preparation and skill-building platform offering practice tests for ACT, SAT, GED, GMAT, LSAT, U.S. citizenship exam, and career licensure exams with tutorials and study materials.
• Mango Languages Interactive language learning platform teaching practical conversation skills in multiple languages through video lessons.
• Summer Reading Program Summer reading challenge running June 1 through July 31 for all ages where participants earn prizes by reading books throughout the summer.
• Read-a-Thon Fundraiser Annual fundraising reading event sponsored by the Foundation where students collect pledges to raise money for library and schools, with prizes including ribbons, trophies, and gift cards based on reading achievement.
• 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Early literacy program encouraging families to read 1000 books to children before kindergarten, sponsored by the Foundation with tracking tools and milestone rewards.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program providing free age-appropriate books monthly to children from birth to age 5 in the district, primarily sponsored by the LCPL Foundation.
• 100 Books Before Graduation Reading incentive program for teens and young adults to read 100 books before graduating high school or equivalent.
• Public Meeting Room Rentals Meeting room rentals for local nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and educational entities at 9 branches with capacities from 15-150 people.
• Statewide Borrowing Program Reciprocal borrowing program allowing patrons to check out materials from participating Indiana libraries using their LCPL card.
• Interlibrary Loan Service Service allowing patrons to request items not in the LCPL collection from other library systems with average 3-week processing time and 5 concurrent requests allowed.
• Non-Resident Library Subscription Card Annual $60 subscription fee card providing non-residents with full access to digital collections, streaming media, research databases, and Libratory services equivalent to taxpayer-funded resident access.
• Special Needs Accessibility Services Talking Books program, Braille, large print, audio materials, and ADA-compliant facilities, plus partnership with Indiana Talking Books for patrons unable to use standard printed materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• 978 students raised over $91,000 in 2026 Read-a-Thon
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration31 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Centier BankminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Corporate sponsor for the 2026 Read-a-Thon program. Sponsors help fund prizes and support for the annual reading fundraising event.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Lake County Public Library Foundation is the primary sponsor for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in the district, providing free books to children from birth to age 5.
• Legacy FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonetary donations to LCPL through the Legacy Foundation directly support educational initiatives and collection expansion.
• AmazonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon affiliate program where a portion of purchases made through the library's referral link (wowbrary.org/lakeco) supports the library's materials budget.
• Indiana State LibrarycoreTechnology or IntegrationParticipates in statewide reciprocal borrowing program coordinated through the Indiana State Library, enabling patrons to access materials across Indiana library systems.
• Indiana Talking Books (TBBL)coreTechnology or IntegrationFree library services to Indiana residents who cannot use standard printed materials due to visual, physical, or reading disability. Provides Braille books, large print, audio magazines, and special playback equipment.
• Tutor.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationLive homework help from real tutors available 4-11 PM daily through the library's online databases.
• LinkedIn LearningcoreTechnology or IntegrationVideo courses taught by industry experts for business, software, technology, and creative skills. Included with Full Access library cards.
• HooplacoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital media platform providing 16 checkouts per month including ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music, and comics.
• KanopycoreTechnology or IntegrationStreaming platform with over 30,000 films, documentaries, and TV shows. 48 tickets per month with varying ticket costs by title.
• INSPIRE (Indiana's Digital Library)coreTechnology or IntegrationFree statewide database of databases providing research resources for Indiana residents, including Explora, LearningExpress Library, and many Gale resources.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Indianapolis Public Library Foundation: Independent non-profit foundation supporting the Indianapolis Public Library system in Indiana. Closely comparable operating model (tax-funded library with foundation-driven supplemental fundraising, events, and literacy programs) in a similar Indiana public library context.
• Hamilton County Public Library (Indiana): Indiana public library system with multiple branches serving a single county, offering similar programs (Summer Reading, maker spaces, digital streaming). Comparable scale and Midwest county-wide service footprint.
• Allen County Public Library Foundation: Foundation supporting the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Operates under an analogous structure: independent non-profit, fundraising events, interest-only deployment of invested donations to support collections and programming in an Indiana public library system.

Broad incumbents

• Hennepin County Library: Minnesota county-wide public library system offering comparable services (branch network, digital lending, maker activities, research databases). Similar urban-suburban county footprint but operates at significantly larger scale.
• Chicago Public Library Foundation: Non-profit foundation supporting the Chicago Public Library system with similar fundraising model (donations invested, interest deployed) and literacy programs (including Imagination Library affiliation). Operates within the broader Chicago/Northwest Indiana region relevant to LCPL.
• Multnomah County Library: Oregon-based county-wide public library system with comparable service offerings (branch network, digital collections, community programming, maker services). Distinct geography but highly analogous operating model.
• Cuyahoga County Public Library: Larger Ohio-based county-wide public library system serving 27 branches with digital collections, maker services, and literacy programs. Comparable breadth of services and structure, but at materially greater scale.

Others

• Public Library Association: Professional association within the American Library Association supporting public libraries nationally. Comparable as the broader category membership and standards body governing LCPL's operating context.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: National early-childhood literacy program that LCPL Foundation sponsors locally. Comparable as an ecosystem partner providing book distribution services to children birth–age 5, with affiliated local sponsors across the U.S.
• Indiana State Library: Statewide coordinating body that administers the reciprocal borrowing program and INSPIRE database in which LCPL participates. Functions as an enabler/aggregator rather than direct competitor, with shared patrons and shared digital infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LakeCoPublicLibrary
• Facebookfacebook.com/lcplin
• Instagraminstagram.com/lcplibrary
• Xx.com/LakeCountyLib

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Lake County Public Library Foundation