Kentucky Public Library System

What Kentucky Public Library System does

The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) is a state government agency headquartered at 300 Coffee Tree Road, Frankfort, Kentucky, operating under the Commonwealth of Kentucky since 1936. It functions as the statutory library agency for the state, delivering services across three primary divisions: (1) Library Support for the 120-county public library network, including funding (E-rate, LSTA, construction grants), professional development, summer reading programs, and youth services; (2) State Library Services for Kentucky government employees, providing research databases (JSTOR, NewsBank, BioOne), interlibrary loan, WorldCat Discovery catalog access, and digital lending via Kentucky Libraries Unbound; and (3) Archives & Records Management, which maintains approximately 125,000 cubic feet of original state records and 70,000+ rolls of microfilm, plus the Kentucky State Digital Archives platform built on Preservica. A fourth major program, the Kentucky Talking Book Library (KTBL), provides free audiobooks, Braille materials, and digital downloads (via BARD Mobile on iOS/Android/Kindle Fire) to residents with visual, physical, or reading disabilities, in partnership with the Library of Congress National Library Service.

KDLA's core technology stack is built on third-party platforms rather than proprietary systems: WorldCat Discovery for catalog search, OverDrive/Kentucky Libraries Unbound for digital lending, BARD for accessible downloads, Preservica for digital preservation, and NLS-supplied digital talking book players. An in-house KTBL Recording Studio produces approximately 40 Kentucky-specific audiobooks per year on local history and Appalachian culture. Sub-brands include Kentucky State Digital Archives and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Kentucky, the latter delivering free books monthly to children from birth to age five statewide.

The business model is government-funded rather than commercial: primary funding flows through Commonwealth of Kentucky state appropriations, supplemented by federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants. Services to end users (patrons, state employees, public libraries) are provided free at point of use. The only fee-based revenue is nominal archives research charges ($20 Kentucky residents, $25 out-of-state) and per-page photocopy fees. Customer segments include state government employees, public library systems across 120 counties, residents with print disabilities, genealogists and historical researchers, and Kentucky families with young children. Distribution operates through the public library network, mail delivery (Free Matter postal service for KTBL patrons), the Frankfort Archives Research Room, the BARD/KLU digital platforms, and statewide outreach partnerships with healthcare providers, schools, and disability services organizations.

Name

Kentucky Public Library System

Legal name

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

Website

https://kdla.ky.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

KDLA is a Kentucky state government agency operating the statewide public library support system, government employee library services, historical archives, and the Kentucky Talking Book Library for residents with print disabilities. Funded by state appropriations and federal LSTA grants.

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)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAEAGAC

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYEDAEAGAF

Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYEDAEALAL

Library & Learning Space Managed Operations (Circulation, Scheduling, Staffing)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Outsourced Operations & Managed Services for Education (BPO/Contracted Support)

SECONDARYBPAIACAO

Public Libraries & Information Services

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

Keywords

• Public library services
• State archives management
• Accessible library materials
• Talking book library
• Government records management

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfort

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

Revenue model

1. Government Appropriations: Primary funding through Kentucky state government appropriations for the Department for Libraries and Archives operations, including public library support, archives management, and Talking Book Library services.
2. Federal LSTA Grants: Federal Library Services and Technology Act grants support library programs, construction grants, and special initiatives including E-rate and summer reading programs.
3. Archives Research Fees: Fee-based research and records request services: $20 for Kentucky residents, $25 for out-of-state requests. Includes $0.25 per photocopy page and $0.50 per microfilm copy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) operates a multi-service state library system serving Kentucky residents, state employees, and researchers through three divisions: (1) Library Support for public libraries including funding, training, and statewide programs; (2) State Library Services for government employees including the WorldCat Discovery catalog, research databases, and digital lending; and (3) Archives & Records Management including the State Archives with historical records and digital preservation. The Kentucky Talking Books Program provides free audio books, Braille materials, and BARD digital downloads to residents with visual, physical, or reading disabilities.

Product overview

The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) operates a multi-service library system serving Kentucky residents, state employees, and researchers. The organization provides three primary service divisions: (1) Library Support for public libraries including funding (E-rate, LSTA, Construction Grants), training, programs (Summer Reading, Youth Services, Adult Services), and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library; (2) State Library Services for government employees including the WorldCat Discovery catalog, research databases (BioOne, JSTOR, NewsBank), digital lending via Kentucky Libraries Unbound, interlibrary loan, and the Kentucky State Publications collection; and (3) Archives & Records Management including the State Archives with historical records, the Kentucky State Digital Archives, and records management for government agencies. A key accessibility service is the Kentucky Talking Books Program providing free audio books, Braille materials, and BARD digital downloads to residents with visual, physical, or reading disabilities. KDLA also operates grant management, public library directory, and workforce development services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kentucky State Digital Archives: Digital archives containing state government records and publications
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Kentucky

Products and services

• KDLA Catalog Online catalog providing search, holds, and interlibrary loan requests for state employees and the public accessing KDLA's collections and electronic resources.
• Kentucky Talking Books Program Free library service for Kentuckians unable to read standard print due to visual, physical, or reading disabilities, providing audio books, Braille materials, digital player loans, and BARD digital downloads.
• Kentucky State Digital Archives Digital preservation platform hosting electronic state records including meeting minutes, press releases, photographs, and publications from Kentucky state agencies.
• Archives Research Room On-site research facility providing access to Kentucky's historical public records including birth/death records (1852-1910), marriage records, census, military records, and court cases, with staff assistance and on-site Ancestry.com access.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Kentucky Statewide early literacy program providing free age-appropriate books monthly to Kentucky children from birth to age five, delivered via postal mail.
• State Library Services Library services for Kentucky state government employees including research databases, interlibrary loan, digital collections, and reference assistance.
• Records Management Services Government records management including retention schedules, records storage, and open records request processing for state and local agencies.
• Kentucky Talking Book Library Recording Studio In-house audio recording studio producing approximately 40 audiobooks annually on Kentucky-related topics including state history, biographies, fiction, and Appalachian culture.
• Continuing Education for Library Staff Professional development resources for public library staff including certification programs, webinars, online courses, scholarships, and annual training schedules.
• KDLA Grant Portal Online platform for managing grant applications and submissions for public library funding and construction grants.
• Public Library Directory Comprehensive directory of all public libraries in Kentucky, providing location information, services, and contact details.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free talking book service eliminates cost barriers for approximately 40% of patrons who are not blind but have other print disabilities
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and support.

• Friends of Kentucky Public Archives, Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1983Nonprofit organization founded to support KDLA's Archives and Records Management Division. Created Thomas D. Clark Endowment Fund for archival internships, sponsors annual Kentucky Archives Institute, secures grant funding, and conducts regional workshops throughout Kentucky.
• National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Library of Congress NLS supports the network of accessible libraries. Most KTBL materials including equipment and books are provided by NLS. NLS also offers BARD download service and virtual programming. Kentucky Talking Book Library is part of this national network of accessible libraries.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of KentuckycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide program providing free books to Kentucky children from birth to age five. KDLA hosts the Kentucky program connecting families to this early literacy initiative.
• National Federation of the Blind (NFB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for NFB-NEWSLINE service providing access to 500+ publications including Kentucky newspapers, magazines, and TV listings in accessible audio and Braille formats. Available by phone, internet, iOS app, and Alexa smart speakers.
• Kentucky Libraries Unbound (KLU)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership providing state employees and public library patrons access to downloadable eBooks, eAudiobooks, and magazines through the OverDrive platform. Enables 24/7 access to digital content for cardholders.
• Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Blind Services DivisionsupportChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState agency assisting blind Kentuckians with employment, economic self-sufficiency, and independence through programs including McDowell Rehabilitation Center, Independent Living, and Bioptic Driving Program.
• Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB)supportChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLouisville-based KSB provides comprehensive educational services to K-12 students who are blind and visually impaired, including full-time instructional and short course programs.
• Kentucky Assistive Technology Service Network (KATS)supportChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKATS Network mission is to make assistive technology information, devices, and services accessible to Kentuckians with disabilities, helping ensure all disabled residents have needed technology for independence.
• Learning AllysupportTechnology or IntegrationNonprofit organization providing audiobooks to students with print disabilities including dyslexia. Listed as resource for KTBL patrons.
• BooksharesupportTechnology or IntegrationOnline library of accessible ebooks for people with print disabilities including blindness, low vision, dyslexia, and physical disabilities. Materials available in audio, Braille, and other accessible formats.
• Radio EyesupportTechnology or IntegrationBroadcasts current news, public service, and general interest programming to Kentuckians who are blind and print-disabled. Accessible via special radios, telephone, internet livestream, mobile apps, and smart speaker skills.
• Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo)supportChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as statewide partner in KDLA's Public Library Director's Toolkit, providing resources for county library governance and operations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Learning Ally: Nonprofit providing audiobooks to students with print disabilities including dyslexia — also listed as a KTBL referral resource. Directly comparable in serving the print-disabled community with audiobook lending, overlapping with KDLA's Talking Books program.
• National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): A division of the Library of Congress that KDLA's Kentucky Talking Book Library is a regional affiliate of. Provides the equipment, materials, and BARD platform that powers KTBL — directly comparable in providing accessible-format library services to print-disabled users.
• OverDrive: Digital lending platform powering Kentucky Libraries Unbound and providing eBooks, eAudiobooks, and magazines to KDLA patrons. Direct peer in delivering digital library content to public library systems, though operating commercially while KDLA is the public-sector counterpart.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: National early-childhood literacy program providing free books to children from birth to age five — the program KDLA hosts the Kentucky state affiliate of. Directly comparable in delivering the same free-books-to-young-children service, with KDLA managing local enrollment.
• Bookshare: Online library of accessible ebooks for people with print disabilities — listed as a referral resource for KTBL patrons. Comparable as a specialized accessible-format library service targeting the same print-disabled demographic as KDLA's Talking Book Library.

Others

• Bibliotheca: Library technology provider offering RFID, self-service kiosks, and digital lending infrastructure to public libraries. Comparable as a vendor-adjacent participant in the same library-services ecosystem that KDLA coordinates and supports across Kentucky's 120 counties.

Broad incumbents

• Brooklyn Public Library: Major urban public library system offering lending, research, archives, and digital services. Comparable as a comprehensive public library operator with archive and digital programs analogous to KDLA's service portfolio.
• New York Public Library: One of the largest public library systems in the United States, operating research and branch libraries with extensive archives and special collections. Comparable to KDLA as a major library service provider with archive, research, and accessibility programs, though operating at city rather than state level.
• Library of Congress: The national library of the United States and parent of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled that supplies KDLA's talking book infrastructure. Operates an analogous statutory library and archive mission at national scale, making it the closest federal-level analog.
• Internet Archive: Digital library offering archive of web pages, books, audio recordings, videos, images, and software. Comparable to KDLA's State Archives and Digital Archives mission of preserving and providing access to historical and cultural materials, though at global scale and via different preservation model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kentucky-department-for-libraries-and-archives

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Kentucky Public Library System