Divibib

What Divibib does

Divibib GmbH, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Reutlingen, Germany, is the digital media subsidiary of ekz-Gruppe (ekz.bibliotheksservice GmbH) and operates the Onleihe platform — the leading e-lending solution for public libraries in the German-speaking region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and select international markets. The company enables public libraries to offer patrons 24/7 access to licensed digital media including e-books, audiobooks, e-papers, and e-learning content, delivered through a web portal with integrated Onleihe Reader and Player, native iOS/Android apps, and compatible e-readers. Its product portfolio extends beyond core lending into specialized digital services: Enote (an AI-powered smart music score app with optical music recognition covering 70,000+ scores), tigerbooks (children's reading app), sharemagazines (digital periodicals), the Medienshop procurement portal, Standing Order automation, and the ekz Approval Plan curation service.

The underlying technology stack centers on a multi-channel digital lending infrastructure (web, mobile, e-reader) with integrated DRM/content protection and publisher licensing workflows. Enote adds a computer vision layer using AI-based optical music recognition to convert scanned sheet music into interactive digital scores, supplemented by smart annotations, integrated metronome/tuner/recording tools, and score lookup features. Divibib monetizes through a combination of digital media licensing for libraries, tiered annual institutional subscriptions (Enote packages at €3,125 / €5,000 / €12,500 for 1,000 / 2,000 / 5,000 user licenses), standing order subscriptions, and consortium-based procurement arrangements. The go-to-market is sales-led (divibib-Vertrieb) targeting public-sector library buyers, supplemented by self-serve ordering via the Medienshop portal, content marketing, industry events (e.g., BiblioCon), and a partner channel comprising publishers (Verlage) who distribute content through the platform. Pierre Bourdon serves as Managing Director (Geschäftsführer).

Name

Divibib

Legal name

divibib GmbH

Website

https://www.divibib.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Divibib GmbH, based in Reutlingen, Germany, provides the Onleihe digital lending platform and specialized apps (Enote, tigerbooks, sharemagazines) to public libraries across DACH and international markets, enabling 24/7 patron access to licensed e-books, audiobooks, e-papers, e-learning, and digital scores.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Library Software & Digital Media Distribution

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130), Libraries and Archives (51921), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Library & Education Audiobook Distribution (Public Libraries, Schools, Academic) (MPAJAIAE), E-book Retail & Reading Platforms (Stores, Apps, Devices) (MPAJAMAA), Audio Learning Content (Podcasts, Audiobooks, Listening Programs) (EDAGALAM)

Keywords

• Digital library lending
• E-book distribution platform
• Public library software
• Digital media licensing
• Music score applications

Headquarters

HQ city

Reutlingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Digital Media Licenses (E-Medien Lizenzen): Divibib provides digital media as licenses for libraries through the Medienshop. Libraries of all sizes can license E-Books, audiobooks, E-Papers, E-Learning content, and other digital media for digital lending to their patrons.
2. Enote License Packages: Annual license packages for institutional access to the Enote music library. Packages are sold based on number of licenses (1000, 2000, or 5000 user licenses) for 12-month terms.
3. Standing Order Service: Pre-configured standing order service for libraries to automatically receive selected media packages on an ongoing basis.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Divibib provides a comprehensive digital lending platform (Onleihe) that enables public libraries to offer patrons 24/7 access to e-books, e-audiobooks, e-papers, and e-learning content via web portal, mobile apps, and e-readers. The company licenses digital media to libraries through its Medienshop and extends its portfolio with specialized apps including Enote (AI-powered music scores), tigerbooks (children's books), and sharemagazines (digital periodicals).

Product overview

Divibib operates as a digital media distribution platform for public libraries, offering a unified ecosystem centered on the Onleihe — the leading German-language e-lending solution for e-books, e-audiobooks, e-paper, and e-learning. The product portfolio extends through the Enote smart music score app (offering AI-powered optical music recognition with over 70,000 digital scores), the tigerbooks children's reading app, the sharemagazines digital newsstand, the Medienshop media licensing platform, the Approval Plan automated collection management service, Standing Order, and the Digitale Unabhängigkeit strategic initiative. The Onleihe serves as the core platform accessible via web portal, iOS/Android apps, and e-readers, with additional products delivered as complementary digital services aimed at fostering reading across all age groups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Onleihe: The leading e-lending solution for E-Books, E-Audios, E-Paper and E-Learning in public libraries.
• Enote
• tigerbooks
• sharemagazines

Products and services

• Onleihe The leading digital lending platform for public libraries in German-speaking countries, enabling 24/7 borrowing of e-books, e-audiobooks, e-papers, and e-learning content via web portal, mobile app (iOS/Android), and compatible e-readers.
• Enote An intelligent music score app offering access to over 70,000 digital scores and parts with AI-powered features including optical music recognition, smart annotations, score lookup, integrated metronome, tuner, and recording tools. Available via annual license packages for institutional use.
• tigerbooks A digital children's book app that provides access to age-appropriate digital reading content for children, promoted as part of divibib's mission to foster reading among young and old.
• sharemagazines A digital magazine subscription service functioning as a digital newsstand, allowing library patrons to access digital periodicals.
• Medienshop The web-based media shop providing libraries with e-media licenses for digital lending, supporting e-books, audiobooks, e-papers, and e-learning materials. Available at kundenportal.onleihe.de.
• Digitale Unabhängigkeit A strategic initiative focused on helping libraries achieve digital independence through divibib's range of digital media services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70,000 scores and parts available in the Enote library
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ekz-Gruppe (ekz.bibliotheksservice GmbH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDivibib is a company of the ekz-Gruppe, which provides the leading service for public libraries in Europe. The parent company is based in Reutlingen, Germany, and divibib operates as its digital media division focused on e-lending solutions.
• Publishers (Verlage)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishers partner with divibib to distribute their digital content (E-Books, E-Audios, E-Papers) through the Onleihe platform to public libraries. This creates a win/win situation where publishers gain access to the library distribution channel and libraries gain access to diverse digital content.
• Includi / Aat VosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch design bureau that co-developed the Bliva furniture series (formerly Foxis 2.0) with ekz for library furnishings.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hoopla Digital: Hoopla provides a library lending platform for e-books, audiobooks, comics, music, and streaming video to public libraries in North America. Directly comparable business model — content licensing sold to libraries on a per-circulation basis — but with a North American-only geographic focus.
• OverDrive: OverDrive is the largest global digital library lending platform, providing e-books, audiobooks, and streaming to public and school libraries worldwide. Directly comparable to Divibib's Onleihe in product offering and library-centric B2B model, with broader geographic reach.
• Bibliotheca (Axiell): Bibliotheca, now part of Axiell Group, provides digital library solutions including e-lending, self-service kiosks, and RFID to public libraries globally. Closely comparable to Divibib's library technology stack with combined physical and digital offerings.
• Odilo: Odilo is a Spanish-headquartered digital library platform serving public libraries in over 40 countries with e-books, audiobooks, video, and learning content. Directly competes with Onleihe in the European library-lending market and shares the multi-format, licensing-based model.

Broad incumbents

• ProQuest (Clarivate): ProQuest, part of Clarivate, supplies academic libraries with e-books, dissertations, and databases including Ebook Central. Comparable in distributing e-books to libraries, but skewed toward academic rather than public library lending.
• EBSCO Information Services: EBSCO is a major content aggregator providing research databases, e-books, and discovery services to academic and public libraries globally. Comparable as a library content provider but operates at a much broader scale across research and academic workflows.
• Baker & Taylor (EBSCO): Baker & Taylor is a longstanding North American distributor of physical and digital content to public and school libraries, now owned by EBSCO. Comparable library-content distribution role to Divibib's Medienshop, with broader physical media heritage.

Emerging players

• Storytel (BookBeat): Storytel, including BookBeat, operates audiobook and e-book subscription services across Europe with a D2C model. Partial overlap with Divibib's audiobook distribution; demonstrates the consumer subscription model that competes for the same library patrons' leisure time.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@OnleiheVideotipps
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/divibib-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Divibib