Eastern Oklahoma Library System

What Eastern Oklahoma Library System does

Eastern Oklahoma Library System (EOLS) is a public, nonprofit multi-county library system organized under the Oklahoma Library Systems Act of 1967, operating 15 branch libraries across six counties (Adair, Cherokee, Delaware, McIntosh, Muskogee, and Sequoyah) in northeastern Oklahoma with its Central Services headquarters in Muskogee. The organization serves the general public across all age segments through free library cards and provides a combined portfolio of physical collections, digital lending, community programming, and outreach services. Its core products include the EOLS Mobile App (iOS/Android) connected to a Sirsi/Symphony library management system, integrations with Libby (OverDrive) and Hoopla for ebooks/audiobooks/streaming media, and a Library of Things lending catalog featuring hotspots, laptops, musical instruments, and outdoor equipment. Specialized offerings include the Memory Lab digitization service, StoryWalk outdoor literacy installations, 3D printing, mobile printing, genealogy research databases (NewsBank, EBSCO, ProQuest, Chronicling America, WorldCat), and a decades-old Adult Literacy Program covering GED, ESL, and citizenship classes.

EOLS operates as a community-led go-to-motion with no commercial pricing model; instead, its revenue mechanics are entirely public-sector: recurring local government allocations and state library system support constitute the primary funding base, supplemented by tax-deductible donations and a pipeline of grants from the City of Muskogee Foundation, Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Tahlequah Community Fund, and Oklahoma Humanities. Nominal fees apply only to ancillary services such as printing ($0.15 B&W, $1.00 color per page), faxing ($1.00 per page), and notary ($2.00 per stamp), while all core lending and digital access are free with a library card. Customer segments are horizontally diversified across children and youth, students and educators, adult learners, genealogists and researchers, and the general public, with marketing delivered through the eols.org website, social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Discord), email newsletters, community events, and local earned media partnerships.

Name

Eastern Oklahoma Library System

Legal name

Eastern Oklahoma Library System

Website

https://eols.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Eastern Oklahoma Library System is a public nonprofit library system operating 15 branches across six counties in northeastern Oklahoma, serving all residents with free access to physical and digital collections, literacy programs, and community services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Academic & Research Library Operations (College/University Libraries) (EDAEAGAB), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital lending platforms
• Community literacy programs
• Research databases
• Educational outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Muskogee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices16 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. Public Funding: Primary funding through public sources including local government allocations and state library system support
2. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible donations accepted; various grants received for specific programs and facilities improvements
3. Program Fees: Some programs may have nominal fees; Touch-a-Truck is described as annual fundraiser

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Eastern Oklahoma Library System operates 15 public library branches across six counties in northeastern Oklahoma, offering free access to physical and digital collections, research databases, educational programs, and community services. The system provides library cards at no cost to residents, integrates digital lending through Libby and hoopla, and delivers specialized programs including adult literacy, GED preparation, StoryWalk installations, and Memory Lab digitization services.

Product overview

The Eastern Oklahoma Library System is a multi-county public library organization operating 15 branches across six counties (Adair, Cherokee, Delaware, McIntosh, Muskogee, and Sequoyah) in northeastern Oklahoma. The system offers a unified platform combining physical library services with digital content access. The core product portfolio centers on three main pillars: (1) Physical collections and branch services including books, media, unique lending items (Library of Things), 3D printing, and community programs; (2) Digital services via the EOLS Library App, which connects to the Sirsi/Symphony catalog and integrates with Libby (Overdrive) and hoopla for ebook/audiobook/movie streaming, plus 20+ research databases; and (3) Specialized programs including adult literacy/GED, Memory Lab digitization, StoryWalk outdoor installations, and reading programs for all ages managed through Beanstack. The system eliminated overdue fines in 2020 and provides services 24/7 through digital platforms while maintaining physical branch presence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EOLS Library App Mobile application for iOS and Android that lets patrons search the catalog, manage loans and holds, find library locations, download eBooks and audiobooks, and access research resources.
• Libby (Overdrive) Digital Lending Free digital lending platform for ebooks and audiobooks available to EOLS library cardholders. Lets patrons borrow best-sellers and read anytime, anywhere via browser or mobile apps.
• hoopla Digital Media All-in-one digital library app offering over 1,000,000 titles including best-selling novels, blockbuster movies, and niche content. Provides ad-free reading, listening, and watching with a library card.
• Library Catalog Online searchable catalog for physical and digital collections including books, movies, music, and more. Integrated with Sirsi/Symphony for patron account management, holds, and renewals.
• Memory Lab Digitization service allowing patrons to convert family photos, videos, and documents into digital files for preservation and sharing of personal histories. Available at Muskogee Public Library.
• StoryWalk Outdoor reading installations combining literacy with physical activity. Pages from children's books are displayed along walking trails at parks, with permanent installations at multiple branch locations.
• Library of Things Unique lending collection featuring board games, outdoor equipment, hotspots, laptops, batons, guitars, and other non-traditional items available for checkout with library card.
• 3D Printing 3D printing services available at select library branches (Grove, Muskogee, Tahlequah) for patron projects and creations.
• Mobile Printing Remote printing service that lets patrons print from smartphone, tablet, or computer and pick up at any EOLS location. Supports emails, documents, photos, and web pages.
• Research Databases Aggregated research database collection including EBSCOhost, NewsBank, ProQuest Black Freedom Struggle, WorldCat, NewspaperArchive, Chronicling America, Credo Reference, and Brainfuse HelpNow covering scholarly journals, newspapers, genealogy, and educational resources.
• Adult Literacy Program Adult education services including GED preparation, ESL classes, citizenship classes, and computer literacy instruction. Operated primarily at Muskogee Public Library with online options for rural branches.
• Summer Reading Program Annual reading challenge for all ages encouraging reading through the summer months. Managed through Beanstack platform with prizes and incentives for participation. patrons read more than 1.6 million minutes for the 2024 program.
• 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Early literacy program encouraging families to read 1,000 books with children before kindergarten entry. Tracks progress through Beanstack or in-library.
• Book Club Kits Pre-packaged book discussion sets available for checkout to support community book clubs. Includes multiple copies of titles with discussion guides.
• Fiero Code Coding education resource for children providing interactive lessons and activities to develop programming skills.
• Genealogy Resources Local history and genealogy research materials including newspaper archives, census records, and historical documents. Available in-library and through online databases.
• Virtual Library Card Digital library card available for adults 18+ to apply online, providing immediate access to digital resources including ebooks, audiobooks, and databases.
• Butterfly Papilion Passes Free passes for up to four people to visit the Muskogee Butterfly Papilion at Honor Heights Park, available for checkout with library card.
• Meeting Room Reservation Free public meeting spaces available for reservation at 15 library branches across six counties for community groups and organizations.
• Chilton's Manuals Online Access Free online resource for EOLS cardholders providing car repair and maintenance information accessible from any device.
• Library of Congress Partnership (LOCal Digital Experience) Grant-funded initiative connecting local communities with Library of Congress resources, featuring a new exhibition and Virtual Author Talks at the Muskogee Public Library.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1.6 million reading minutes recorded in 2024 Summer Reading Program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Oklahoma Department of LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 December 2025$20,000 grant awarded to expand adult literacy programs to five rural libraries in Adair, Cherokee, and McIntosh counties through the Adult Literacy Program.
• Library of CongressflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2025Muskogee Public Library was chosen by the Library of Congress for a partnership to create a digital experience. This grant-funded initiative connects local communities with the Library of Congress and features a new exhibition. The LOCal (Library of Congress at Eastern Oklahoma Library System) program brings Virtual Author Talks and other LOC resources to the region.
• Oklahoma Department of LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState library agency providing grants for health literacy initiatives, StoryWalk installations, and various library programs across EOLS branches.
• Oklahoma HumanitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOklahoma Humanities supports the 'Let's Talk About It' book discussion series at Delaware County Library and Grove Public Library, providing literary experts and grant funding for community engagement programs.
• Oklahoma Department of LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth Literacy Grant funding exercise classes and wellness programs at Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library in Sallisaw for senior citizens.
• Oklahoma Department of LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth Literacy Grant funding StoryWalk installation, nutrition classes, and 'Let's Get Moving' programs at Muldrow Public Library.
• Oklahoma Department of LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth Literacy Grant funding community garden, cooking classes, and nutrition education at Stilwell Public Library through OSU Extension partnership.
• Muskogee County TransitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership providing sponsored transit rides to Muskogee Public Library during summer 2025 to increase library access.
• Tahlequah Academy of the Performing ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDance classes for all ages presented at Tahlequah Public Library, funded through Health Literacy Grant to promote physical activity.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• OverDrive / Libby: Primary digital ebook/audiobook lending platform on which EOLS depends (Libby app). Indirectly comparable as the technology backbone for EOLS's digital collections and a benchmark for what library users expect from modern lending.
• SirsiDynix (Sirsi/Symphony): Integrated library management system vendor whose Sirsi/Symphony platform powers EOLS's catalog and patron accounts. Compares as the core operating technology infrastructure for the system's day-to-day circulation and discovery operations.
• hoopla Digital: Digital media lending platform integrated into EOLS's service mix alongside Libby. Adjacent enabling technology partner providing ebooks, audiobooks, music, movies, and comics to EOLS cardholders.

Direct peers

• Pioneer Library System: Regional Oklahoma library system serving multiple counties in the Norman/south-central OKC metro area. Directly comparable as a multi-county cooperative public library system under the same Oklahoma Library Systems Act framework.
• Tulsa City-County Library: Multi-branch public library system serving Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Most directly comparable Oklahoma peer in scale, governance (independent library system), and service mix (digital lending, programming, research databases).
• Metropolitan Library System: Oklahoma City metropolitan-area multi-county library system. Direct peer operating under the same state library systems statute with comparable digital lending, programming, and grant-funded programming model.

Regional players

• Oklahoma Department of Libraries: State-level library agency providing oversight, grants, and interlibrary coordination to Oklahoma library systems including EOLS. Functions as both a regulator/funding body and a broader regional peer in library service delivery.
• Cherokee Nation Public Libraries: Tribal library system operating branches within and adjacent to EOLS's six-county service area. Comparable as a regional public-facing library provider serving overlapping northeastern Oklahoma communities with similar literacy, genealogy, and digital programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EOLSlibrariesOK
• Facebookfacebook.com/eols.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eastern-oklahoma-library-system
• Instagraminstagram.com/eolslibrariesok

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Eastern Oklahoma Library System