Community Libraries of Providence

Public Library Servicescommunitylibrariespvd.org

Community Libraries of Providence is a nonprofit public library system operating nine neighborhood branches in Providence, Rhode Island, providing free lending, digital content, adult education, makerspace, and community programming to local residents.

Company typePrivate
Founded2009
HeadquartersProvidence, United States
Headcount101–250
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What Community Libraries of Providence does

Community Libraries of Providence (CLPVD) is a private nonprofit public library system operating nine neighborhood branch locations across Providence, Rhode Island, founded in 2009. The system serves Providence residents through traditional library services—book and media lending, computer and internet access, museum passes, meeting room reservations, and free notary services—alongside a substantial programming portfolio covering adult education (ESOL, GED, Citizenship preparation, Spanish language learning), youth and teen services, a makerspace at Wanskuck Library, climate resilience initiatives, an entrepreneurship center, and summer reading programs. CLPVD is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Library Director Cheryl Space, with affiliate 'Friends of' groups supporting individual branches through grassroots fundraising and community events.

Community Libraries of Providence firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Community Libraries of Providence
Legal name: Community Libraries of Providence
Website: https://communitylibrariespvd.org
Company type: Private
Founded year: 2009
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 101–250 employees
Short description: Community Libraries of Providence is a nonprofit public library system operating nine neighborhood branches in Providence, Rhode Island, providing free lending, digital content, adult education, makerspace, and community programming to local residents.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Community Libraries of Providence industry classification

Industry

Product category: Public Library Services
NAICS: Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210)
akta.pro primary industry: Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)
akta.pro secondary industries: Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL)

Keywords

Public library services
Digital lending platform
Community education programs
Adult literacy education
Makerspace programming

Where Community Libraries of Providence is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Providence
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

Community Libraries of Providence business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Community Libraries of Providence product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Community Libraries of Providence operates a public library system of nine neighborhood branches in Providence, Rhode Island, providing free borrowing of physical and digital materials (books, DVDs, e-books, audiobooks, streaming media), community programs, meeting rooms, museum passes, a makerspace, adult education (ESOL, GED, Citizenship, Spanish), and digital content access via OverDrive eZone and Hoopla.

Product overview

Community Libraries of Providence operates as a unified public library system consisting of nine physical branch locations and integrated digital services. The core offering combines traditional library lending (books, DVDs, physical materials) with digital content access through eZone (Overdrive) and Hoopla streaming. The system provides community programs including makerspace facilities, adult education (ESOL, GED, Citizenship, Spanish), climate resilience initiatives, entrepreneurship support, and summer reading programs. Meeting room reservations, museum passes, and specialized services like notary and notary support round out the service portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Borrowing Services
eZone Digital Lending
Hoopla Streaming
Makerspace
Adult Education Programs
Meeting Rooms
Museum Passes
Climate Resilience Programs
Entrepreneurship Center
Summer Reading Program
Notary Services

Companies that use Community Libraries of Providence

Customer profile

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Community Libraries of Providence technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Community Libraries of Providence partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

OverDrive (eZone)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvides digital e-book and audiobook collection through the eZone platform, available in both English and Spanish (eZone Español), allowing library patrons to access digital content remotely 24/7
HooplacoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides streaming digital media services including movies, TV shows, music, and audiobooks through Hoopla Digital platform integrated with library services
Friends of our Libraries (Friends groups)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity support organizations affiliated with individual library branches including Friends of Rochambeau Library and Friends of South Providence Library. Organize fundraisers, book sales, health fairs, and community events to support branch operations and programming
Network for GoodcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline donation platform used for fundraising campaigns including Spring Appeal and ongoing support initiatives
BonfireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMerchandise platform used to sell branded items including Banned Books shirts, library pride merchandise, and specialty items like Spooky Night apparel
University of Rhode Island (URI) Master GardenerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative programming providing Master Gardener Series educational workshops including seed starting, flower pressing, and seasonal gardening topics at library locations

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Community Libraries of Providence competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Providence Public Library: The municipally operated public library system serving Providence, RI. Most directly comparable organization to CLPVD: same city, same population, same core services (lending, programs, community space). The two coexist and likely compete for Providence-resident patrons and grant funding.
Cleveland Public Library: Municipal public library system serving Cleveland with comparable branch footprint, adult-education services (including citizenship prep), and digital lending. Similar scale and demographic context to CLPVD.
Multnomah County Library: County-funded library system serving the Portland, OR metro. Comparable multi-branch scale and similar mix of community programming, adult education, makerspace, and digital lending.
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Nonprofit-supported multi-branch library system serving Pittsburgh. Operates branches, makerspaces, adult education, and community programming — directly comparable service portfolio to CLPVD.
DC Public Library: Municipal library system operating 20+ neighborhood branches across Washington, DC. Similar model: neighborhood branches, adult education, makerspaces, digital lending, and Spanish-language programming in a diverse urban population.
Enoch Pratt Free Library: Independent nonprofit public library serving Baltimore with a similar multi-branch, multi-program operating model including adult education, maker activities, and digital lending. Closest structural analog to CLPVD as an independently governed nonprofit (rather than purely municipal) library system.
Ocean State Libraries (OSL): Rhode Island's statewide library cooperative. CLPVD uses the OSLRI catalog platform, indicating operational integration. Directly comparable as a multi-branch library organization serving Rhode Island patrons with shared digital infrastructure.

Broad incumbents

Boston Public Library: Large municipal public library system operating multiple branches plus a central library. Closest scale analog for a multi-branch urban library system in New England with comparable program breadth (adult education, digital lending, community events).
New York Public Library: Nonprofit public library system operating 90+ branches across NYC. Operates a similar mix of neighborhood branches, adult education (ESOL, citizenship), makerspaces, and digital lending — at materially larger scale than CLPVD but on a comparable operating model.
Free Library of Philadelphia: Nonprofit-supported public library system with a comparable mission (literacy, lifelong learning, community programming). Operates multiple branches across Philadelphia with similar adult-education and digital-lending services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Community Libraries of Providence financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Community Libraries of Providence leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Community Libraries of Providence funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Community Libraries of Providence M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Libraries of Providence

What does Community Libraries of Providence do?

Is Community Libraries of Providence a public or private company?

Community Libraries of Providence is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was Community Libraries of Providence founded?

Community Libraries of Providence was founded in 2009. It employs 101 to 250 people.

Where is Community Libraries of Providence based?

Community Libraries of Providence is headquartered in Providence, United States, in the North America region.

Who are Community Libraries of Providence's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Providence Public Library, Cleveland Public Library, Multnomah County Library, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, DC Public Library, Enoch Pratt Free Library and Ocean State Libraries (OSL). Broad incumbents are Boston Public Library, New York Public Library and Free Library of Philadelphia.

Does Community Libraries of Providence have an API?

No public API is recorded for Community Libraries of Providence.

What industry is Community Libraries of Providence in?

Community Libraries of Providence's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management, with a secondary code of BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services. Its NAICS code is 51921.