What Mid-Hudson Library System does

Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) is a private nonprofit cooperative library system established in 1959 and headquartered at 103 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, New York. It coordinates shared services for 66 independent member public libraries across five counties (Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam, and Ulster), supporting 600 volunteer trustees, roughly 1,000 library workers, and more than 300,000 patrons. MHLS is governed by a Board of Trustees (three representatives per county) and operates without a parent company.

MHLS's core technology platform is the Sierra Integrated Library System (ILS), which powers circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, and resource sharing across all 66 member libraries and underpins the unified Discover online catalog exposing 3 million+ items and 1.7 million unique titles. Supporting infrastructure includes a Mobile Worklists iOS application for staff, the patron-facing MHLS Mobile App (iOS/Android), OverDrive/Libby for eBooks and downloadable audiobooks, Kanopy and Hoopla for streaming media, and cooperative purchasing of additional databases (Job Now, NovelNY, Transparent Language). The system also operates a physical regional delivery network transporting approximately 5,000 items per day among member libraries, which the organization cites as one-seventh the cost of mailing and as saving libraries more than $4.5 million in postage annually. Member libraries also save communities over $12 million per year by sharing items.

MHLS monetizes through three primary streams: annual member library assessments (a subscription-style recurring revenue model), New York State funding (State Aid for Library Construction, Coordinated Outreach Services, and annual state reporting administration), and donations/grants (including a PayPal-based donation flow, the Debra Wilcox Klein Book Haven Collection Fund, and legacy estate gifts). MHLS reports a 10:1 return on investment for Hudson Valley residents for every $1 invested. Distribution is regional only: services reach patrons exclusively through the 66 member libraries and a five-county service area. Under Executive Director Rebekkah Smith Aldrich (25+ years), MHLS became the first public library system to complete the Sustainable Library Certification Program and is affiliated with the Sustainable Libraries Initiative (co-founded by Aldrich), the New York Library Association, ALA, and PULISDO.

Name

Mid-Hudson Library System

Legal name

Mid-Hudson Library System

Website

https://midhudson.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nonprofit cooperative library system providing shared technology, regional delivery, and support services to 66 public libraries across five counties in New York's Hudson Valley, serving 300,000+ patrons.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Library Cooperative Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

Keywords

• Cooperative library system
• Integrated library services
• Resource sharing network
• Digital library resources
• Professional development consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Poughkeepsie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Member Library Assessments: Annual member assessments paid by 66 member libraries to fund system services; For every $1 invested in MHLS, the system produces $10 in services for Hudson Valley residents
2. New York State Funding: State funding including State Aid for Library Construction, Coordinated Outreach Services, and annual state reporting
3. Donations and Grants: Donations accepted through PayPal including general support, Debra Wilcox Klein Book Haven Collection Fund, and eBook/digital content funding; Legacy gifts through estate planning

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mid-Hudson Library System operates as a nonprofit cooperative that provides shared library infrastructure and services to 66 member public libraries across five New York counties. Its core offerings include a shared Integrated Library System (Sierra), a unified Discover online catalog of 3 million+ items, a regional delivery network transporting ~5,000 items daily, cooperative digital collections (OverDrive/Libby), technology operations support, professional development, and strategic consulting.

Product overview

Mid-Hudson Library System operates as a cooperative network of 66 public libraries across five counties (Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam, Ulster) in New York's Hudson Valley region. The system provides a unified platform combining the Sierra Integrated Library System (ILS) powering the shared Discover online catalog, a regional delivery network, cooperative digital collections (OverDrive/Libby eBooks and audiobooks), a consumer mobile app, and member support services including technology operations, professional development, consulting, and resource sharing coordination. The core offering is the shared library infrastructure enabling 3+ million physical and digital items to be accessible across all member libraries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MHLS Directors Association: Governing body representing the 66 member library directors within the MHLS cooperative structure
• The Library of Local
• Sustainable Libraries Initiative

Products and services

• Sierra Integrated Library System (ILS) Backbone ILS platform shared across the 66 member libraries, powering front-desk check-in/check-out, circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, and resource sharing throughout the region.
• Discover Online Catalog Unified online catalog powered by Sierra ILS providing public search and request access across 3 million+ items and 1.7 million unique titles from all 66 member libraries.
• OverDrive/Libby Digital Collections Cooperative digital lending platform providing eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines to library patrons via OverDrive and the Libby mobile app, negotiated through MHLS cooperative purchasing.
• MHLS Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android allowing patrons to browse the library catalog, create and manage lists, check hold status, and access library services.
• Regional Delivery Network Physical courier service transporting approximately 5,000 items daily between member libraries across five counties, saving over $4.5 million annually in postage costs.
• Technology Operations & Support Technical support services for member libraries including Help Desk ticketing, on-site tech support, website hosting for more than half of member libraries, network support, and cybersecurity assistance.
• Professional Development & Consulting Training, continuing education, leadership development, and strategic consulting for library staff and trustees covering strategic planning, funding, technology, governance, and community engagement.
• eResources & Databases Cooperative purchasing and coordination of digital databases and resources (e.g., Job Now, NovelNY, Transparent Language) for member library patrons.
• State Aid for Library Construction Program Administration Administration of New York State Aid for Library Construction on behalf of member libraries, ensuring eligibility for state funding and compliance with state requirements.
• Sustainable Library Certification Program Guided certification through the Sustainable Libraries Initiative program covering 140+ action items across 12 sustainability categories; MHLS was the first public library system certified.

Quantifiable outcome

• For every $1 invested in MHLS, $10 in services is produced for Hudson Valley residents
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered special project, core, supporting and affiliation.

• The Tempestry Projectspecial projectStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2026Partnership on Mid-Hudson Libraries Tempestry Collection - a large-scale community art project depicting climate data from the Hudson Valley (1895-2025) in knitted tempestries created by artisans at member libraries
• Partners for Climate Action Hudson ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the Library of Local Project - a regional initiative connecting libraries with climate action resources and community engagement
• Central HudsonsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerHomeBoost Program partnership providing DIY Energy Assessment Kits; Sponsor of the MHLS Road Trip; Provider of EV charging stations at MHLS premises
• American Library Association (ALA)affiliationStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational library association affiliation providing standards, advocacy, and professional resources
• New York Library Association (NYLA)affiliationStrategic or Co-development PartnerState library association affiliation providing advocacy for library funding and legislation across New York State; Library Advocate email list coordination
• Sustainable Libraries InitiativeaffiliationStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by MHLS Executive Director; provides the award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program; MHLS was first to complete certification
• Unite Against Book BansaffiliationStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational coalition partner working to oppose book bans and protect the Freedom to Read
• Public Library Systems Directors Organization (PULISDO)affiliationStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide organization of library system directors; Handbook Book Club Series partnership for director and trustee professional development
• The Library of Local ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-created by MHLS Executive Director; award-winning project connecting local communities with resources for climate adaptation and community resilience
• New York StatecoreOthersState funding partner providing State Aid for Library Construction, Coordinated Outreach Services, and regulatory oversight through the New York State Library

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Southeastern New York Library Council: NY regional library council providing shared services and grant support to member libraries in the lower Hudson Valley — overlapping geography and similar mission to MHLS.
• Nassau Library System: NY regional library system providing cooperative technology, catalog, and consulting services to member libraries — comparable scale and member-funded model to MHLS.
• Westchester Library System: NY cooperative library system providing shared technology, delivery, and professional development to member public libraries — operates a similar shared-services model to MHLS.
• Capital District Library Council: NY multi-county library council delivering cooperative services, technology, and professional development — directly comparable cooperative library support organization.
• Suffolk Cooperative Library System: Long Island-based NY cooperative library system that delivers shared ILS, interlibrary loan, and member services — structural twin to MHLS at regional scale.
• Ramapo Catskill Library System: Another New York State cooperative library system serving member libraries across multiple counties with shared ILS, delivery, and consulting services — directly comparable cooperative model to MHLS.

Others

• Sustainable Libraries Initiative: Award-winning certification program co-founded by MHLS's Executive Director; MHLS was its first certified system — enabling/advisory partner rather than a competitor, but tightly coupled to MHLS's sustainability positioning.
• Innovative Interfaces: Vendor of the Sierra Integrated Library System that powers MHLS's circulation, cataloging, and Discover catalog for all 66 member libraries — critical infrastructure supplier and ecosystem participant.

Broad incumbents

• New York Public Library: The largest public library system in the US, providing shared ILS, digital collections, and patron services across Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island — much larger scale but overlapping public-library technology/services domain.
• Brooklyn Public Library: Major NYC public library system operating shared technology, branches, and patron services at city scale — comparable public library operations but at much larger scope than MHLS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 Mid-Hudson Library System