What Altamont Free Library does

Altamont Free Library is a 501(c)(3) public community library founded in 1916 and located in Altamont, New York. It serves residents of Altamont, Knox, and the surrounding Guilderland area as part of the Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS), a 29-library consortium spanning Albany and Rensselaer Counties. As of 2023 the library served 2,280 members and recorded its highest annual circulation in its 107-year history — 34,660 items, comprising 25,011 physical items and 9,649 digital downloads — with children's books accounting for 29% of total circulation (a 10-year high). The library is housed in the historic 1897 Altamont Train Station, which it acquired for $250,000 in 2005 with bond support from the Town of Guilderland; the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The library operates a physical collection of 13,318 items augmented by an extensive digital lending ecosystem delivered through UHLS's shared IIIVega catalog. Digital services include the Libby app (ebooks, audiobooks, magazines), Hoopla (media — being discontinued effective June 15, 2026), Kanopy (streaming films, accessed in partnership with Guilderland Public Library at 30 monthly credits), Comics Plus (digital comics with age-tiered collections), and direct subscriptions to the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Transparent Language, Consumer Reports, and GetSetUp. Programs include weekly Storytime with Ms. Meg, the Orsini Park Summer Concert Series, rotating art exhibits in the Community Room, and the Every House Project local history initiative jointly sponsored with County Legislator Jeff Perlee. Facilities include the Community Room, the Dick & Ellen Howie Community Patio, three public computers, free Wi-Fi, and fax/copier services.

Revenue is generated primarily through municipal appropriations totaling $138,000 in 2023 — Town of Guilderland ($70,000), Village of Altamont ($59,000), and Town of Knox ($9,000) — supplemented by private donations and fundraising ($50,000+ in 2023, $52,000+ in 2025), a $25,000 NYS Department of Education grant secured in 2025, state aid, interest income on certificates of deposit, and minor fees including $50 annual out-of-system library cards, replacement charges, and copier/fax usage fees. The library operates with approximately 11 staff (Library Director Joe Burke plus four Library Assistants, a maintenance role, and a bookkeeper) and is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees.

Name

Altamont Free Library

Legal name

Altamont Free Library

Website

https://altamontfreelibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1916

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Altamont Free Library is a 501(c)(3) public community library founded in 1916 in Altamont, NY, serving Altamont, Knox, and Guilderland residents through physical and digital lending, community programs, and meeting space housed in the historic 1897 train station.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210), Libraries and Archives (51921), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Library, Reading Motivation & Independent Reading Programs (EDAMAJAO), Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community lending programs
• Digital book lending
• Local history archives
• Children's literacy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Altamont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Municipal Funding: Primary funding from Town of Guilderland ($70,000), Village of Altamont ($59,000), and Town of Knox ($9,000) as a state, town and village funded association library
2. Private Donations and Fundraising: Gala events, book sales, memorial gifts, and general donations. In 2025, received over $52,000 in private donations. 2023 raised just over $50,000 in private giving including Gala ($25,000+), May book sale, and December Library Lights fundraiser.
3. Fines and Fees: Fine-free policy but charges for replacement of lost items, copying, fax services, and out-of-system library cards ($50 annual fee)
4. Program Revenue: Revenue from library programs and services including museum pass fees
5. State Aid: Annual state aid from New York State
6. Interest Income: Interest from certificates of deposit

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Altamont Free Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public association library founded in 1916 that provides free access to a physical collection of more than 13,000 books, media, and special items, alongside a digital lending ecosystem (Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, Comics Plus, NYT, WSJ) for Albany and Rensselaer County residents. The library delivers recurring community programs including weekly Children's Storytime, the Orsini Park Summer Concert Series, art exhibits, and local history initiatives such as the Every House Project, plus ancillary services like public computer/Wi-Fi access, copying, faxing, and a reservable Community Room.

Product overview

Altamont Free Library operates as a traditional public library offering a unified platform of physical and digital services. The core offering is its physical Library Catalog of books, movies, and materials, enhanced by a digital lending ecosystem including Libby (ebooks/audiobooks), Hoopla (streaming media), Kanopy (film streaming), Comics Plus (digital comics), and newspaper access (New York Times, Wall Street Journal). Additional digital resources include Transparent Language, Consumer Reports, and GetSetUp. The library also provides community programs including Storytime, Summer Concert Series, art exhibits, and local history initiatives like The Every House Project. Facilities include the historic Altamont Train Station building with community meeting rooms and public computer access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Catalog
• Digital Lending via Libby
• Hoopla Instant Digital Media

Quantifiable outcome

• Highest circulation in 107-year history with 34,660 total items (2023)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Integration9 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS)coreTechnology or IntegrationAFL is a member library of UHLS, which provides shared catalog (IIIVega), interlibrary loan, digital collections, system coordination, and collective advocacy. UHLS serves 29 public libraries in Albany and Rensselaer Counties.
• Guilderland Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for programs including film screenings, UHLS spelling bee tournament, and circulating board game collection. Also partnered for Summer Reading Buddies Program expansion to all GCSD elementary schools.
• Village of AltamontcoreOthersMunicipal funding partner ($59,000 annually in 2023). Partial funding for Orsini Park Summer Concert Series. Host municipality.
• Town of GuilderlandcoreOthersPrimary municipal funding partner ($70,000 annually in 2023). Substantially increased appropriation in recent years.
• Town of KnoxminorOthersMunicipal funding partner ($9,000 annually in 2023).
• Allied Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRain location partner for Orsini Park Summer Concert Series. Concerts moved to Allied Brewing on Dunnsville Road when weather prevents outdoor events.
• Historic Altamont, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity group that launched the Village of Altamont StoryMap with stories, maps and photos detailing local history. AFL serves as archive and resource hub.
• County Legislator Jeff PerleeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the Every House Project, a community-wide initiative to capture and preserve the history of every house in Altamont area.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/altamontlibrary
• Facebookfacebook.com/altamontfreelibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/altamont-free-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Altamont Free Library