Salt Lake City Public Library

What Salt Lake City Public Library does

Salt Lake City Public Library is a municipal government-operated public library system headquartered at 210 East 400 South in Salt Lake City, Utah, serving residents of Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County. The system's flagship is a 240,000-square-foot Main Library opened in February 2003 and designed by architect Moshe Safdie, housing more than 500,000 books and materials, supported by eight additional branch locations (Marmalade, Anderson-Foothill, Sweet, Day-Riverside, Glendale, Sprague, Chapman, and Ballpark Library Lab) plus a Virtual Branch for online services.

The library's product surface extends well beyond traditional lending. Core offerings include physical collections, a Digital Library platform (eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, streaming media via Libby and OverDrive), the Creative Lab makerspace network with 3D printing (LulzBot TAZ 5, Original Prusa i3 MK3), laser cutting (Glowforge), audio/video production (Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, Final Cut Pro X), virtual reality (HTC Vive, Acer Windows Mixed Reality), sewing equipment, and digital art workstations (Adobe Creative Cloud, Wacom tablets). Specialized programs include The Plot community garden with an associated Seed Library, official U.S. passport acceptance services, Kids Café free snacks in partnership with Utah Food Bank, the Teen Squad and League of Extraordinary Teens volunteer programs, LGBTQ+ inclusive clubs (Alphabet Soup, Tween LGBTQ+ Book Club), and reading challenges tracked via Beanstack.

The library's revenue model is primarily tax-based municipal funding from Salt Lake City, supplemented by fee-based services (passport execution fee $35, passport photos $15, wireless printing $0.10/page, 3D printing material costs, and non-resident library cards at $80 annually) and philanthropic support through affiliated nonprofits: the Salt Lake City Public Library Foundation and Friends of The City Library. All core services are free to Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County residents. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with outreach through physical branches, a mobile app on iOS and Android, an events calendar, email newsletter, social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Medium), and partnerships with more than 15 local organizations including Wasatch Community Gardens, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Clark Planetarium, TreeUtah, and University of Utah Bennion Center.

Name

Salt Lake City Public Library

Legal name

Salt Lake City Public Library

Website

https://services.slcpl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Salt Lake City Public Library is a municipal library system serving Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County residents through a flagship Main Library, eight branches, digital resources, Creative Lab makerspaces, community programs, and passport services, funded primarily by tax revenue with supplementary fees and philanthropic donations.

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)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community education programs
• Digital library resources
• Makerspace equipment access
• Literacy and reading programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Salt Lake City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tax-based Funding: Primary funding from Salt Lake City tax base, supplemented by the Library Foundation through philanthropic donations
2. Fee-based Services: Passport processing ($35 execution fee), wireless printing (10 cents/page), 3D printing (material cost + hourly fee), passport photos ($15), library cards for non-residents ($80 annual fee)
3. Community Donations: Donations support reading programs, Creative Lab equipment, and community garden initiatives through the Library Foundation and Friends of The Library

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Salt Lake City Public Library is a municipal public library system providing free access to physical and digital collections (500,000+ books, eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and streaming media) across nine branches and a virtual branch. Core offerings include traditional library services, a Creative Lab makerspace network with 3D printing and laser cutting, digital lending platforms, children's and teen reading programs, a community garden with seed library, and official U.S. passport acceptance services.

Product overview

Salt Lake City Public Library operates as a multi-branch public library system offering a unified platform of library services centered on its physical collections and digital resources. The core offering consists of physical materials across eight branches plus the Main Library, complemented by a comprehensive Digital Library accessible through Libby, OverDrive, and dedicated apps. Key product modules include the Creative Lab makerspace network offering 3D printing, audio/video production, laser cutting, and digital arts; The Plot community garden with associated Seed Library; specialized teen programs including Teen Squad, League of Extraordinary Teens, and Alphabet Soup; children's services featuring reading programs like 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and Summer Reading Challenge; and practical services including passport processing, wireless printing, and meeting room reservations. The library also provides extensive digital learning resources including language learning (Mango Languages), coding education (Fiero Code), creative arts (Creativebug), and research databases through partnerships with major educational content providers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Creative Lab: Makerspace offering tools for graphic design, music, photography, sewing, filmmaking, and 3D printing with equipment including Glowforge, 3D printers, audio production stations, and Adobe Creative Cloud software
• The Plot
• Creative Lab - Marmalade
• The Digital Library

Products and services

• Physical Collections and Branch Services Traditional library services including physical book, music, DVD, and multimedia collections across nine branch locations plus the Main Library, offering checkout, holds, interlibrary loan, and in-branch reading and research spaces for Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County residents.
• Digital Library and eBooks Platform Digital lending platform providing access to eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, streaming music and movies, language learning, and online courses for cardholders, available 24/7 through Libby by OverDrive and specialized databases.
• Library Mobile App Native mobile applications for iOS and Android devices providing access to library catalog, account management, hold requests, event discovery, and digital resources on-the-go for cardholders.
• Creative Lab Makerspace Makerspace service offering access to professional equipment including 3D printing, Glowforge laser cutting, audio production, video production, digital conversion, poster printing, sewing, virtual reality, and digital art at multiple branch locations for cardholders.
• Passport Services Official U.S. passport application acceptance facility at the Main Library offering passport book and passport card processing and passport photos for both adults and minors, available Monday through Saturday with a $35 execution fee.
• Wireless Printing Service Wireless printing service allowing patrons to print from mobile devices, laptops, and tablets to any City Library Print Release Station using the ePRINTit platform, with $5 monthly free allocation and $0.10/page beyond that.
• HUM Local Music Streaming Local music streaming and download platform featuring music from local Salt Lake City artists, available to library cardholders.
• The Plot Community Garden

Quantifiable outcome

• Free services for all Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County residents, with non-resident cards available for $80/year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration22 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wasatch Community GardenscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2019Partnership established March 2019 for The Plot community garden and Seed Library. Wasatch Community Gardens provides seedling donations from their plant sale, collaborates on garden education programs, and the library is a member of their Garden Leadership Network.
• Going to SeedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitates local partnerships between the Salt Lake City Public Library and local growers to supply diverse seed mixes for the seed library program.
• True Leaf MarketminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent non-GMO seed company that provides thousands of free seeds to circulate through the seed-lending program.
• Utah Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide Kids Café free grab-and-go snacks for children up to age 18 at multiple library branches. Addresses childhood food insecurity in the community.
• Utah Museum of Fine ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer Reading Challenge partnership for 'Unearth A Story' program featuring clay pot workshops inspired by UMFA's global earthenware pottery collection at various branch locations.
• Lucky Ones CoffeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeurodiverse barista team operating within the Marmalade Branch, offering espresso, paninis, and locally baked treats. Located on first floor of the two-story branch facility.
• TreeUtahminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTreeUtah's EcoGarden, a 'food forest' community garden, is located on the south property of Day-Riverside Branch where community members can learn about urban farming and organic gardening.
• Natural History Museum of UtahminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Poetry Path featuring passages of poems etched onto boulders at both the museum (along Bonneville Shoreline trail) and The Plot community garden at the Main Library. Paths opened spring 2019.
• Improv Salt LakeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLeads improv workshop events for kids, teens, and families at library branches, providing collaborative improvisational acting games and performance education.
• University of Utah Bennion CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent volunteer partnership providing ACT test prep assistance. Students attending at least two virtual sessions receive a free ACT study book.
• NOMA UtahminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Architecture & Design Camp for High School Students - a Project Pipeline summer camp program at Glendale Branch.
• School of DanceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides dance programming including 'Breakin' at the Library' workshops for teens at various branch locations.
• Clark PlanetariumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides 'Earth Detectives' educational programming with hands-on science activities for kids at branch locations.
• Poets HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational literary center partnership for Field Work initiative exploring poetry and science, presented in collaboration with museums and libraries in Milwaukee and Salt Lake City. Funded by Institute for Museum and Library Services.
• Salt Lake Power YogaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides Rooftop Yoga classes at Main Library for adults, promoting mindfulness and wellness through free community fitness programming.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• King County Library System: County-level public library system serving the Seattle metro area with 50 branches, strong digital lending, and community programming — comparable county-scope library organization.
• Denver Public Library: Mountain West municipal library system with similar demographic and geographic profile to Salt Lake City, offering branch network, makerspaces, and community programs — regional comparable peer.
• Chicago Public Library: Municipal library system operating 81 branches with robust youth programming, digital resources, and community partnerships including food security initiatives — directly comparable urban public library.
• New York Public Library: The largest U.S. municipal public library system, operating 92 branches across Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island with extensive programming, makerspaces, and digital lending — directly comparable multi-branch public library model.
• Seattle Public Library: Municipal public library with architecturally significant flagship and branch network, known for digital innovation and community programming — closely comparable to Salt Lake City in flagship building prestige.
• Brooklyn Public Library: Urban public library system serving Brooklyn with branches, makerspaces, and extensive programming including adult literacy and youth services — directly comparable to Salt Lake City Public Library.
• Hennepin County Library: County library system serving Minneapolis metro with branches, makerspaces, and youth services — comparable multi-branch municipal library with similar programming breadth.
• Los Angeles Public Library: Large U.S. municipal library system with 72 branches, offering passport services, makerspaces, and extensive digital lending — closely comparable in scale and service breadth to Salt Lake City Public Library.
• San Francisco Public Library: Municipal public library with main library, branch network, and programs for diverse urban populations including literary, educational, and civic engagement services — comparable scale and scope.
• Boston Public Library: Major U.S. municipal library with historic flagship and neighborhood branches, offering extensive programming, digital lending, and cultural exhibitions — directly comparable urban library system.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/slcpl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SaltLakeCityPublicLibrary
• Facebookfacebook.com/slcpl
• Instagraminstagram.com/slcpl
• TikToktiktok.com/@slcpl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/salt-lake-city-public-library

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 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 Salt Lake City Public Library