Osrednja knjižnica Celje

What Osrednja knjižnica Celje does

Osrednja knjižnica Celje (Central Library Celje) is a public cultural institution (javni zavod) headquartered in Celje, Slovenia, with origins dating to an 1846 parish library and formal public-library operations from 1927; the current institution was established in 1946 as a study library and took its present form through the 1974 merger of the City Public Library and Study Library. It serves as the Central Regional Library (območna knjižnica) for the Celje area, coordinating professional services, local-history content, and digitization for 11 partner libraries across 36 municipalities covering 303,045 residents (14.7% of Slovenia's population). Core services include book lending, interlibrary loan, digital-resource access, lifelong-learning programs (University for the Third Age / U3O), children's and youth reading programs (Rastem s knjigo, fairy-tale hours, English Reading Club, Book Club with Filip), bibliotherapy, accessibility services for deaf/blind users, and local-history preservation through the Kamra digital portal.

The technology platform is built on the national COBISS bibliographic system shared across all Slovenian libraries, supplemented by member self-service through COBISS Plus (online catalog) and Moja knjižnica (My Library) portal, mCOBISS (Android) and COBISS Ela (iOS) mobile applications, 24/7 self-service book machines (knjigomati), parcel-locker pickup, Eduroam/Libroam wifi, and integrated electronic-resource access to PressReader (7,000+ publications in 60+ languages), EBSCOhost, Kanopy (on-demand film), and eBonitete (business credit data). Distribution spans five physical branches (Celje, Dobrna, Šmartno v Rožni dolini, Štore, Vojnik) plus mobile and online channels, and the institution holds WCAG 2.0 AA and ZDSMA accessibility certifications. Recent milestones include the 2025 UNESCO Creative City of Literature designation and the 2025 Čop Diploma awarded to youth-program lead Ida Kreča.

Revenue is dominated by public funding from the Slovenian Ministry of Culture and participating municipalities under statutory mandate, supplemented by annual membership fees (with extensive exemptions for children, unemployed persons, disabled persons with 80%+ disability, social-assistance recipients, and European Disability Card holders at 50% off), daily late fees, photocopying/scanning charges (€0.10 per A4 page), CD/DVD services (€0.50 plus shipping), interlibrary loan fees, and internet-access charges for non-members. The institution operates as a non-profit public service without private ownership, venture backing, or commercial expansion mandate, and does not publish revenue or budget figures.

Name

Osrednja knjižnica Celje

Legal name

Osrednja knjižnica Celje

Website

https://knjiznica-celje.si

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Osrednja knjižnica Celje is a public cultural institution and Central Regional Library in Celje, Slovenia, serving 303,045 residents across 36 municipalities. It provides book lending, digital resources, cultural programming, local-history preservation, and coordinates services for 11 regional libraries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Book lending services
• Digital library resources
• Reading promotion programs
• Local history collections

Headquarters

HQ city

Celje

HQ country

Slovenia

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Fees: Members pay annual membership fees based on category. Various exemptions apply for unemployed, children/youth up to 18, disabled persons with 80%+ disability, social assistance recipients, and members of Celje Librarians' Association. European Disability Card holders receive 50% discount.
2. Late Fees and Fines: Daily late fees charged for overdue materials. Three written reminders are sent (10 days, 24 days, 38 days after due date). Third reminder is sent by registered mail.
3. Reproduction and Scanning Services: Charges for photocopying, scanning, and reproduction of library materials. A4 photocopy/scan: €0.10, CD/DVD: €0.50 plus shipping.
4. Interlibrary Loan Fees: Fees charged for interlibrary loan services between libraries, according to the valid price list.
5. Internet Access for Non-members: Non-members pay for internet access according to the valid price list.
6. Government and Municipal Funding: Core funding from Ministry of Culture and participating municipalities for public library services as a public institution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Osrednja knjižnica Celje is a public cultural institution providing free or subsidized access to reading materials, digital resources, and cultural programming for the general public in the Celje region of Slovenia. Its core offering is library lending and membership services, supported by electronic databases, self-service book machines, parcel locker pickup, reading promotion programs, lifelong learning through the University for the Third Age, and local history preservation via the Kamra digital portal. As a Central Regional Library, it also coordinates professional services for 11 partner libraries across the region.

Product overview

Osrednja knjižnica Celje is a public library institution providing library services as a public service in the City Municipality of Celje, operating as the Central Regional Library for the Celje area. Its product portfolio consists of core library lending and membership services built around the COBISS bibliographic system, supplemented by electronic resource databases (PressReader, EbscoHost, Kanopy, eBonitete), self-service infrastructure (book machines/knjigomati, parcel locker pickup), and a rich array of reading promotion and educational programs including Z branjem do zvezd, Rastem s knjigo, English Reading Club, Book Club with Filip, Bibliotherapy, and the University for the Third Age (U3O). The library also offers local history services via the Kamra digital portal, accessibility services meeting WCAG 2.0 AA standards, facility rentals, computer access, and participates in the UNESCO Creative City of Literature initiative with Festival Fabula. Member self-service is available through the COBISS Plus online catalog, Moja knjižnica portal, and mobile apps (mCOBISS for Android, COBISS Ela for iOS).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Lending & Membership Services Core library services including membership registration, book lending and renewals, interlibrary loans, material reservations, and late fee management for members across all five branch locations in Celje, Dobrna, Šmartno v Rožni dolini, Štore, and Vojnik.
• COBISS Catalog Online bibliographic catalog (COBISS Plus) providing search and discovery of library materials, integrated with the Moja knjižnica member self-service portal for reservations, renewals, and account management.
• Book Machines (Knjigomati) Automated self-service book lending and return machines allowing members to borrow and return library materials outside regular opening hours using their membership card or electronic card version.
• Parcel Locker Pickup Reserved library materials can be collected from parcel lockers (paketniki) at the Celje location, with a 72-hour collection window and SMS notification.
• PressReader Electronic database providing members access to over 7,000 newspapers and magazines from more than 100 countries in over 60 languages, accessible via the COBISS authentication portal.
• eBonitete Credit rating and financial information database for Slovenian business entities, providing credit ratings, accounting data, and business analytics to area library members.
• EbscoHost Databases Database access providing academic and professional research resources to area library members through the central regional library's shared services program via the OOK authentication portal.
• Kanopy Video streaming platform offering on-demand movies and documentaries, provided through membership with over 4,000 participating libraries worldwide.
• Z branjem do zvezd (By Reading to the Stars) Reading badge program for adults designed to encourage and track reading habits as part of the library's reading culture promotion initiatives.
• Rastem s knjigo (I Grow with the Book) National project promoting reading culture among young people, coordinated nationally across Slovenian libraries to encourage youth literacy.
• English Reading Club Monthly English-language reading club led by Anika, providing reading practice and literary discussion in English for participants.
• Book Club with Filip Monthly book club meeting regularly, providing literary discussion and community engagement for members.
• Bibliotherapy Therapeutic reading program led by Silvo Pur, using literature to support personal well-being and mental health, with regular sessions.
• Library on the Visit (Knjižnica na obisku) Home delivery service for elderly or mobility-impaired members who cannot visit the library, providing material selection, borrowing frequency, and visit coordination.
• University for the Third Age (Univerza U3O) Lifelong learning program offering educational courses, lectures, and cultural activities for seniors, including the annual U3O Fest as its flagship event.
• Local History (Domoznanstvo) Local history department collecting, processing, preserving, and disseminating local history materials, maintaining specialized collections, digitized materials, and local history exhibitions and publications.
• Accessibility Services Services for users with disabilities including accessible websites meeting WCAG 2.0 AA standards, special font options (including Open Dyslexic for dyslexia), high-contrast color themes, cursor size options, induction loops, and materials for deaf and hard-of-hearing users.
• Information Literacy Training Educational programs teaching users how to search for information, use databases, and develop research skills within the library.
• Children's Programs (Miško Knjižko) Library programs for children including the mascot Miško Knjižko, family reading initiatives, activities for educators and teachers, and holiday reading sessions (Branje je igra in zabava).
• Room Rentals (Levstikova dvorana, Študijska čitalnica, Računalniška učilnica, Besednica) Rental facilities including the Levstikova dvorana (100 seats, subdivided into three rooms), the Study Reading Room, a computer classroom with 10 computers, and the Besednica hall, all available for events, lectures, and workshops with AV equipment.
• Computer and Internet Access Public computer workstations and internet access provided for library visitors, including Arnes network compliance for user logging. Free wireless internet via Eduroam and Libroam networks for members.
• Kamra Portal Regional digital heritage portal (kamra.si) aggregating digitized local history content from Slovenian libraries and cultural institutions, managed by the library as a central regional library.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million loan transactions annually across all departments
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Ministry of Culture (Ministrstvo za kulturo)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government funding source for library operations and special projects. Ministry funds material acquisitions, digitization initiatives, and regional library development programs. Co-finances joint portals (Kamra, Dobre knjige, Obrazi slovenskih pokrajin) and annual purchasing plans.
• Kamra Portal (managed by OKC with other OOK)coreTechnology or IntegrationRegional digital content portal managed by OKC in cooperation with other central regional libraries and Association of Public Libraries. Kamra brings together digitized local history content from libraries and cultural institutions.
• COBISS (National Bibliographic System)coreTechnology or IntegrationNational library bibliographic system providing unified catalog, interlibrary loan, and member services across all Slovenian libraries.
• Slovenian Library Association NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Slovenian Network of Voluntary Organizations. Collaborates with 11 central libraries in the Celje area for coordinated services, shared databases, and free interlibrary loan.
• Univerza za tretje življenjsko obdobje (U3O)majorOthersUniversity for Third Age operates within the library, offering lifelong learning programs for seniors. Strongest set of programs for seniors in the Celje region.
• UNESCO Creative Cities NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCelje joined UNESCO Creative Cities Network as City of Literature in 2025. Library participates in related projects including Fabula Festival, Shanghai writer exchange (Danyan Chen visit), and public forums.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Helmet City Libraries (Helsinki): Finnish public library system operating on a similar comprehensive model with extensive digital services, mobile apps, and self-service infrastructure. Larger in scale but conceptually aligned as a benchmark for modern public library service delivery.
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina: Modern landmark library with UNESCO affiliation and broad cultural programming mandate. Comparable in combining traditional library services with digital infrastructure and international cultural partnerships.
• Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon: Large European municipal library serving a major metropolitan area with comprehensive cultural programming, digital resources, and central library status. Comparable in institutional scope and mission though at much larger scale.

Others

• Kamra Regional Portal (Slovenian library consortium): Regional digital heritage portal that Osrednja knjižnica Celje manages in cooperation with other Slovenian libraries. An ecosystem-level peer in the digitization space rather than a direct operational competitor.
• COBISS (Institute for Information Science): National bibliographic system and library management platform that Osrednja knjižnica Celje uses for catalog, member services, and interlibrary loan. Not a direct competitor but an enabling technology partner central to operations.

Direct peers

• Mariborska knjižnica (Maribor Public Library): Another of Slovenia's ten central regional libraries, serving the Maribor region. Operates the same COBISS bibliographic platform and offers comparable lending, digital resources, and cultural programming.
• Knjižnica Otona Župančiča (Ljubljana City Library): Slovenia's largest public library system serving Ljubljana, also operating as a central regional library under the same statutory framework as Osrednja knjižnica Celje. Directly comparable in service portfolio (lending, digital resources, programs) and municipal structure.
• Mestna knjižnica Koper: Coastal Slovenian public library operating as a central regional library under the same national framework. Comparable service offerings with regional coastal context.
• City of Ljubljana Libraries Network: Network of public libraries within Ljubljana operating under unified COBISS-based services. Comparable branch structure and service portfolio to Celje's 5-branch network.

Regional players

• Univerzitetna knjižnica Maribor (University of Maribor Library): Slovenian regional academic library serving university and general public needs. Comparable COBISS integration and digital resource portfolio, but academic focus differentiates it from a pure public library.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCiebrV43Tztm0tJkaCQG6yg
• Facebookfacebook.com/OsrednjaCelje
• Instagraminstagram.com/knjiznicacelje

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Osrednja knjižnica Celje