Westerly Library & Wilcox Park

What Westerly Library & Wilcox Park does

Westerly Library & Wilcox Park (WLWP) is a private non-profit community library and public park operating from 44 Broad Street in Westerly, Rhode Island. It is owned and governed by the Memorial and Library Association, established in 1892 to commemorate volunteer soldiers and sailors of the Civil War. The organization serves the Westerly community through a combined library-and-park campus, providing traditional lending services, digital resource access via the Ocean State Libraries consortium, and a broad slate of community programming spanning children, teens, older adults, and the general public. Core offerings include a Library of Things, Museum Passes, the Hoxie Gallery exhibition space, Local History & Special Collections, a Makerspace with fabrication tools, and ancillary services such as notary services, mobile printing, computer/wifi access, and homebound delivery for older adults.

The technology footprint is built on third-party licensed platforms rather than proprietary systems: the Ocean State Libraries online catalog and Ocean State eZone provide catalog and eBook/eAudiobook access; WLWP cardholders additionally access America's News (NewsBank), Consumer Reports (EBSCO), hoopla, Kanopy, and the New York Times. Distribution is anchored by the physical 44 Broad Street location, supplemented by The Pop-Up at Coy satellite presence, the Ocean State Libraries catalog (self-serve), digital database and streaming platforms (self-serve), and interlibrary loan. Marketing reaches the community via the library website, email newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, a regular column in the Westerly Sun, and The Chronicle, an annual digital publication (volumes observed for 2025 and 2026). No mobile app, public API, or AI capabilities are disclosed.

WLWP operates under a non-profit revenue model. Primary funding flows from the parent Memorial and Library Association; supplementary revenue comes from donations (including via a Friends of the Library & Park support organization) and transactional fees for notary services, private event space rentals, and overdue-material fines. Core library services are free to cardholders. There are no venture capital or private equity investments, no disclosed headcount, and no disclosed financial figures; commercial revenue concentration is therefore structurally low across the customer base, while operating funding is concentrated at the parent-association level.

Name

Westerly Library & Wilcox Park

Legal name

Westerly Library & Wilcox Park

Website

https://westerlylibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1892

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Westerly Library & Wilcox Park is a private non-profit community library and public park in Westerly, Rhode Island, serving local children, teens, older adults, and the general public with lending, digital resources, programs, and a Makerspace under the Memorial and Library Association.

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 Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community library programs
• Makerspace access
• Library digital resources
• Local history archives

Headquarters

HQ city

Westerly

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, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Municipal/Association Funding: As a private non-profit owned and operated by the Memorial and Library Association, the library receives funding from its parent organization which was established in 1892
2. Donations and Support: The library accepts donations and has a Friends of the Library & Park organization that supports operations
3. Fines and Fees: Library charges fines for overdue materials and fees for services like notary services and private event space rentals

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Westerly Library & Wilcox Park is a private non-profit library and public park organization that provides lending of physical and digital materials, community programs for all age groups, maker and technology access, notary services, museum passes, local history archives, and event/exhibition spaces to residents of Westerly, Rhode Island. Operations are funded by the parent Memorial and Library Association, donations, and incidental fees.

Product overview

Westerly Library & Wilcox Park is a private non-profit organization offering a comprehensive suite of library and community services through its physical location and digital resources. The core offering includes traditional library services such as library cards and the Ocean State Libraries catalog, supplemented by specialized lending programs like the Library of Things and Museum Passes. The organization operates a Makerspace for creative and technological projects, maintains the Hoxie Gallery for rotating art exhibitions, and preserves Local History & Special Collections. Additional services include Notary Services, Computer Help and Wifi access, and Mobile Printing. The park component features outdoor activities including the Storywalk program and hosts various community events. The organization also publishes The Chronicle, a digital magazine covering library and park activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library of Things A lending program allowing library cardholders to borrow non-traditional items such as tools, equipment, and other practical objects, extending library services beyond traditional media.
• Makerspace A collaborative workshop space offering access to tools, equipment, and technology for creative projects, including laser cutting, sewing, and other maker activities.
• Museum Passes A service providing library cardholders with discounted or free admission passes to local and regional museums and cultural institutions.
• Hoxie Gallery An exhibition space within the library showcasing rotating art displays and community exhibitions.
• Local History & Special Collections Archives and research materials documenting the history of Westerly and surrounding areas, available for research and reference.
• Notary Services Professional notary services available to library patrons for document authentication.
• Computer Help, Access and Wifi Public computer access, wireless internet, and technology assistance for patrons.
• Mobile Printing Print documents from personal devices to library printers for pickup.
• Summer Reading Program Annual reading incentive program for all ages encouraging literacy during summer months with activities and rewards.
• Storywalk Outdoor reading activity featuring illustrated story panels installed along paths in Wilcox Park for families to enjoy while walking.
• The Chronicle: A Westerly Library & Wilcox Park Digital Publication Digital publication featuring news, stories, and information about the library and park, published in volumes.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Ocean State LibrariescoreTechnology or IntegrationConsortium membership providing shared catalog system, Ocean State eZone for eBooks and eAudiobooks, and collective purchasing power for databases and digital resources. WLWP participates in the OSL network allowing patrons to access materials across Rhode Island libraries.
• RI Office of Library & Information Services (OLIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState library agency partnership providing coordination, standards, and support for Rhode Island libraries.
• American Writers MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated with the American Writers Museum, supporting literary programs and author events.
• AskRI.orgcoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaborative database and research resource portal for Rhode Island libraries, providing shared access to premium research databases.
• Memorial and Library AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization that owns and operates Westerly Library & Wilcox Park. Established in 1892 to commemorate Civil War volunteers.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Anythink Libraries: Colorado-based library system known for innovative reimagining of library services, including makerspaces, creative programming, and community partnerships. Comparable for the modern, non-traditional library service model that WLWP is pursuing.
• Ocean State Libraries: Rhode Island library consortium of which WLWP is a member. Provides shared catalog, eZone, and digital resource infrastructure. Strategically relevant as the operating consortium that WLWP depends on for digital services.

Broad incumbents

• Boston Public Library: Major New England public library system with extensive programming, special collections, and community services. Comparable as a regional anchor library with similar service breadth and historical founding.
• Cleveland Public Library: Large urban library system serving Cleveland with deep historical roots and broad community programming. Comparable for its combination of traditional library services, special collections, and outreach to diverse community segments.
• Free Library of Philadelphia: Major urban public library system with extensive programming, makerspaces, and special collections. Comparable in service breadth and historical community library mission.
• New York Public Library: Massive flagship public library system serving New York City with 92 branches. Operates a comparable mix of lending, programming, digital resources, and community services, but at vastly greater scale and with broader geographic reach.

Regional players

• Providence Public Library: Rhode Island's largest public library system based in Providence. Direct geographic peer serving the same state population through Ocean State Libraries consortium, with a comparable mix of traditional lending, programs, and community services.

Direct peers

• Newport Public Library (Rhode Island): Rhode Island public library of comparable size serving a small coastal community. Most directly comparable peer as a same-state, similar-sized library with overlapping community service offerings and consortium membership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXdkbBzRzsx9q5N9oCjecaA/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/westerlylibraryandwilcoxpark
• Instagraminstagram.com/westerlylibraryandwilcoxpark/?hl=en

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 Westerly Library & Wilcox Park