Acton Memorial Library

What Acton Memorial Library does

Acton Memorial Library is a municipal public library founded in 1890 by William Allan Wilde as a memorial to Acton's Civil War citizens, governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees and operating under the Town of Acton, Massachusetts. It serves the general public of Massachusetts (with priority to Acton residents and workers) through two physical branches — the main library at 486 Main St (expanded to 30,000 sq ft in 1999, designed by Tappe Associates, with capacity for 102,000 books) and the West Acton Citizens' Library at 21 Windsor Ave — holding approximately 170,000 items and circulating roughly 640,000 items annually.

Its core offerings span physical and digital lending (books, DVDs, audiobooks), a Library of Things (Nintendo Switch consoles, hotspots, ukuleles, telescopes, film digitizers, tools, assistive technology), 3D printing services via an Anycubic Kobra 3, public computing with Microsoft Office 2021, museum passes, meeting and study rooms, ESL and foreign-language collections across nine languages, art exhibitions, and an extensive local history and genealogy collection including Civil War archives. Technology integration is centered on third-party platforms: Libby/OverDrive for ebooks and audiobooks, Hoopla for on-demand digital media, Kanopy for streaming video, Mango Languages and Transparent Language for language learning, Ancestry/American Ancestors/Fold3/MyHeritage for genealogy, and direct subscriptions to the NYTimes, Wall Street Journal, and Boston Globe, all accessed via Minuteman Library Network proxies. The library is a member of the Minuteman Library Network since 1988.

The library is primarily funded through Town of Acton municipal appropriations, supplemented by the AML Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in 1991) and the Friends of the Acton Libraries (founded 1962). Service revenue is nominal — printing fees ($0.15 black/$0.25 color), 3D printing ($0.25/hour), museum pass late fees ($10/day), and book sales — while library cards and core services are free to Massachusetts residents. With 14 staff and a 14-trustee volunteer governance structure, the library operates as a community service rather than a commercial entity, with strategic direction shaped by Town Meeting votes, trustee oversight, and donor-funded programming.

Name

Acton Memorial Library

Legal name

Acton Memorial Library

Website

https://actonmemoriallibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1890

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Acton Memorial Library is a municipal public library founded in 1890 in Acton, MA, operating two branches with ~170,000 items and 640,000 annual circulations. It serves Massachusetts residents through physical lending, digital platforms (Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy), Library of Things, 3D printing, and local history archives, funded by Town appropriations and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210), Libraries and Archives (51921)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Library, Reading Motivation & Independent Reading Programs (EDAMAJAO)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community library programs
• Digital library collections
• Local history archives
• Library technology lending

Headquarters

HQ city

Acton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 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. Municipal Funding: Primary funding from Town of Acton municipal budget for library operations, staff, collections, and programs
2. Donations and Fundraising: Support from AML Foundation (501(c)(3) established 1991) and Friends of the Acton Libraries (established 1962) for programming, museum passes, school library budgets, and scholarships
3. Service Fees: Fees for printing (15 cents black/25 cents color), 3D printing ($0.25/hour), late fees for museum passes ($10/day), replacement card fees

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Acton Memorial Library is a municipal public library that provides free access to physical and digital library collections, reference and research services, public computing, WiFi, 3D printing, museum passes, meeting rooms, a Library of Things, local history and genealogy archives, and programming for children, teens, and adults. It operates two physical branches in Acton, MA and integrates with the Minuteman Library Network for shared catalog and interlibrary loan services.

Product overview

Acton Memorial Library provides public library services through two physical locations (Acton Memorial Library and West Acton Citizens' Library) and a comprehensive digital presence. The library's core offerings include physical and digital collections (books, DVDs, audiobooks), e-resources and digital media (Libby/OverDrive, Hoopla, Kanopy), reference and research services, meeting/study room facilities, 3D printing, technology lending (Chromebooks, hotspots, Library of Things items), museum passes, local history and genealogy collections, and programming for children, teens, and adults. The library operates within the Minuteman Library Network for catalog and circulation, providing approximately 170,000 physical items and access to extensive digital collections to Acton residents and Minuteman Network patrons.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AML Foundation: Acton Memorial Library Foundation - incorporated in 1991 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing additional funding to supplement the library's budget
• Friends of the Acton Libraries

Products and services

• Library Cards and Circulation Services Free full-service library cards available to Massachusetts residents ages 4+ and to people who work in Acton, plus free eCards for online-only access. Cards enable borrowing across the Minuteman Library Network and access to all digital collections.
• Reference Services In-person and remote research assistance, database guidance, and interlibrary loan support for Acton Memorial Library patrons.
• Minuteman Library Catalog Online public access catalog (OPAC) for the Minuteman Library Network, enabling patrons to search, reserve, and manage borrowings across member libraries.
• Libby/OverDrive Digital Collection Ebooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines available for download via the Libby app, integrated with Minuteman Library Network cards.
• Hoopla Digital Media On-demand streaming and borrowing of ebooks, audiobooks, music, movies, TV shows, and magazines to Acton residents through hoopladigital.com.
• Kanopy Streaming Video Video streaming service offering documentaries, indie films, classic films, educational videos, and kids' content to library patrons via kanopy.com/en/acton.
• Meeting and Study Rooms Reservable meeting rooms (capacity up to 70) and study rooms for community groups, nonprofit organizations, and Town Boards, equipped with Zoom TV, DVD player, and an assistive listening system.
• Museum Passes Discounted or free passes to local museums including Discovery Museum, US Constitution Museum, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Museum of Fine Arts, and Museum of Science.
• Library of Things Non-traditional items available for checkout including arts and crafts supplies, assistive technology, household goods, memory care items, Nintendo Switch consoles and games, ukuleles, personal electronics (record players, film digitizers, hotspots), science/nature equipment (binoculars, microscopes, telescopes), and tools.
• Computers and Technology Services Public computers with Microsoft Office 2021, free WiFi, Chromebook and mobile hotspot lending, scanners, and mobile printing services.
• 3D Printing Service 3D printing service using an Anycubic Kobra 3 printer with PLA and ABS filament options. Patrons submit STL files via email and pay $0.25/hour of print time as estimated by OrcaSlicer software.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Services Literacy collection, TOEFL and citizenship preparation materials, online ESOL courses via Mango Languages and Transparent Language, study room access for tutors, and meeting space for English at Large organization.
• Foreign Language Collections Physical collections in Chinese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Tamil, plus access to Mango Languages and Transparent Language for language learning.
• Art Exhibitions Rotating art exhibitions in the Meeting Room Gallery featuring local and regional artists. Exhibitions are free and handicapped accessible.
• Interlibrary Loan Request service for materials unavailable within the Minuteman Library Network, including via the Commonwealth Catalog for other Massachusetts library networks and direct ILL requests for out-of-network materials.
• Local History and Genealogy Collection Extensive local history resources including town archives, Civil War archives, World Wars I and II records, Patriots' Day materials, Arthur Fuller Davis Gallery, genealogical databases (Ancestry, American Ancestors, Fold3, MyHeritage), historical newspapers, high school yearbooks, and Pine Hawk archaeological site materials.
• Accessibility Services Services for patrons with disabilities including an assistive listening system, large print books, audiobooks (downloadable, CD, Playaway), described DVDs, large type keyboard, customizable computer displays, text-to-speech databases, magnifying glass, and free Perkins Library services referral.
• Minuteman Library Network Mobile App Mobile application providing digital library card storage, checkout and hold management, barcode scanning, and access to digital collections. Available on Apple App Store and Google Play.
• Text Messaging Notifications (Shoutbomb) Text messaging service via Shoutbomb enabling patrons to receive hold notifications, renewal reminders, and overdue alerts, and to send texts to check fine balances or renew items.
• Seed Library and Exchange Seed sharing program at West Acton Citizens' Library where gardeners borrow seeds at planting time and return a portion at the end of the growing season.
• Wireless Mobile Hotspot Lending Wireless mobile hotspot devices available for 2-week checkout to adult patrons with a library card, enabling portable internet access.
• Nintendo Switch Console Lending Nintendo Switch gaming consoles and game cartridges available for checkout from the Library of Things collection.
• Mobile Printing Print release service allowing patrons to send print jobs from mobile devices to library printers via eprintitsaas.com. Black and white printing is $0.15 per page and color printing is $0.25 per page.
• Fitzgerald Piano Exhibit Restored Ivers & Pond piano presented by Mayor John F. Fitzgerald in 1926, now housed in the library as a historical exhibit.
• The Wilde Garden Native plant demonstration garden named for original benefactor William Wilde. Features plants chosen to support wildlife, provide edible species, and serve as an educational tool for patrons. Maintained in partnership with the Acton Garden Club.

Quantifiable outcome

• 640,000 items circulated annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration18 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Minuteman Library NetworkcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 1988Regional library network membership since 1988 enabling shared catalog, interlibrary loan across member libraries, and access to shared digital resources and databases for all Acton Memorial Library patrons.
• English at LargecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization serving English language learners. Library provides meeting room space for ESOL classes and conversation groups, supporting adult English language education in the community.
• Friends of the Acton LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization founded in 1962 dedicated to funding town elementary, middle, and high school library budgets. Also provides support for Acton Memorial Library and West Acton Citizens' Library programming, museum passes, and scholarships to local high school seniors.
• Acton Memorial Library Foundation (AML Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) non-profit incorporated in 1991 dedicated to providing additional funding to supplement Acton Memorial Library's budget. Critical resource supporting the library's mission.
• Friends of Pine HawkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization promoting understanding of Native American archaeology and history. Library maintains Pine Hawk exhibit and educational materials. Friends sponsor events, book discussions, and community service activities related to local archaeology.
• Massachusetts Board of Library CommissionersminorOthersState agency administering LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) funds used for digitization projects. Materials digitized through partnerships with Internet Archive and Boston Public Library.
• Acton Garden ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in establishing and maintaining The Wilde Garden, a native plant garden showcasing sustainable land management practices.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• OverDrive (Libby): OverDrive operates the Libby digital lending platform that Acton Memorial Library integrates for ebook and audiobook lending. As a key technology vendor enabling the library's digital lending service, OverDrive is a critical infrastructure and ecosystem partner.
• BiblioCommons: BiblioCommons is a library catalog and patron engagement software vendor serving public library systems including many with similar profiles to Acton. As a provider of library technology infrastructure, it represents an adjacent ecosystem player in the public library space.
• hoopla digital: hoopla digital is the on-demand digital media platform integrated by Acton Memorial Library for ebooks, audiobooks, music, movies, and TV shows. As a content distribution partner enabling the library's digital media services, hoopla is a comparable ecosystem participant.

Direct peers

• Cambridge Public Library: Cambridge Public Library is a Massachusetts municipal library serving Cambridge residents with comparable collections, programming, and digital services. As a nearby public library serving a similar Massachusetts community, it provides direct service-model comparability.
• Worcester Public Library: Worcester Public Library is a Massachusetts municipal library offering comparable public library services including local history collections, digital lending, and community programming to its residents. As another Massachusetts public library system, it provides similar scale and mandate comparability.
• Minuteman Library Network: Minuteman Library Network is the regional library consortium of which Acton Memorial Library is a member since 1988. The network provides shared catalog, interlibrary loan, and digital resource infrastructure that Acton directly relies upon for service delivery.
• Boston Public Library: Boston Public Library is the flagship municipal public library system in Massachusetts with similar services including local history archives, digital lending, and community programming. Both libraries serve Massachusetts residents through public library services, making them directly comparable in mandate and offerings despite scale differences.
• Lexington Public Library: Lexington Public Library is a Massachusetts municipal library serving Lexington residents with comparable collections, programming, and Minuteman Library Network membership. As a neighboring suburban public library of similar scale, it is directly comparable in operations and service offerings.
• Brookline Public Library: Brookline Public Library is a Massachusetts municipal library serving Brookline residents with similar collections, programming, and digital resources. As a nearby suburban public library of comparable scale, it is a directly comparable peer in service model and operations.

Broad incumbents

• New York Public Library: New York Public Library is a major urban public library system offering broad collections, research libraries, and community programming. While operating at much greater scale, it provides similar municipal public library services and serves as an established benchmark in the public library space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/actonmemlibrary
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@actonmemoriallibrary4726
• Facebookfacebook.com/actonmemoriallibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/actonlibrary
• TikToktiktok.com/@actonlibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acton-memorial-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Acton Memorial Library