Aurora Public Library District
Aurora Public Library District is a tax-funded Illinois public library district serving the city of Aurora (population 180,582) through three branches, two mobile libraries, and digital lending platforms, offering free books, media, programs, and community services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1881
- HeadquartersAurora, Illinois, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Aurora Public Library District does
The Aurora Public Library District (APLD) is a unit of local government in Illinois, established under 75 ILCS 16/ (Public Library District Act of 1991), that provides free public library services to the City of Aurora, Illinois — the second-largest city in Illinois with a 2020 Census population of 180,582. Founded in 1881, APLD operates three physical branches — the Richard and Gina Santori Public Library (main, opened June 2015), the Eola Road Branch (opened 1993, expanded 2003), and the West Branch (opened 1998) — plus two mobile libraries: the current Bookmobile (October 2023) and the Mini-B. The district serves approximately 89 full-time and 70 part-time staff (~150 total) and circulates roughly 1.5 million items per year, with 700,000 visitors and approximately 1 million wifi sessions annually.
The core product is the library experience itself: a 540,000+ item collection including physical books, Library of Things items (games, puzzles, Launchpads for children), and a digital collection delivered through third-party platforms (Libby/OverDrive for eBooks and eAudiobooks, Hoopla, Kanopy for streaming video, Freegal for music, Press Reader for newspapers and magazines). Operations are powered by the Polaris Integrated Library System (version 8.0.65533.4) for catalog, circulation, and patron management, with the Beanstack platform powering the Summer Reading Adventure program and a native APLD mobile app available on iOS and Android. Sub-products include a Makerspace with 3D printing, public computer services, meeting and study rooms, notary services, Court Support and Lawyers in the Library programming, home delivery, curbside pickup, and bilingual (English/Spanish) services for the city's nearly 70,000 Spanish speakers.
APLD's business model is tax-funded rather than commercial: the district levies property tax revenue as its primary revenue stream under Illinois public library district law, with all services free to the public. Supplemental funding is provided by the Aurora Public Library Foundation, a separate 501(c)(3) fundraising entity, and through corporate and community donations such as a $15,000 Comcast grant for digital skills training. The FY26 Operating Budget is $19,569,871. The go-to-market motion is community-led, with marketing executed through social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn including dedicated Spanish-language accounts), a weekly column in The Voice newspaper, community partnerships (Fox Valley Park District, West Aurora School District, Kane County Law Library), and outreach via mobile libraries to underserved populations including students, seniors, and homebound residents. Membership in the LINKin consortium of ten Illinois libraries extends catalog depth for patrons.
Aurora Public Library District firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aurora Public Library District
- Legal name
- Aurora Public Library District
- Website
- https://aurorapubliclibrary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1881
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Aurora Public Library District is a tax-funded Illinois public library district serving the city of Aurora (population 180,582) through three branches, two mobile libraries, and digital lending platforms, offering free books, media, programs, and community services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aurora Public Library District industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- 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), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)
Keywords
Where Aurora Public Library District is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aurora, Illinois
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Aurora Public Library District business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Property Tax Revenue: Primary funding source as an Illinois public library district established under 75 ILCS 16/ Public Library District Act of 1991. Funded through property tax revenue from residents of the district.
- Aurora Public Library Foundation Donations: Separate fundraising entity that provides supplemental budgetary support through donations and fundraising events
- Corporate and Community Donations: Grants and donations from organizations such as Comcast ($15,000 for digital skills training) to support specific programs and initiatives
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free Library Services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Aurora Public Library District product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aurora Public Library District operates a three-branch public library system (Santori Library, Eola Road Branch, and West Branch) plus two mobile libraries (Bookmobile and Mini-B), serving the 180,582 residents of Aurora, Illinois. The library provides free access to a 540,000-item collection, digital media lending through integrated platforms (Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, Freegal, Press Reader), technology services including a Makerspace with 3D printing, computer labs, meeting and study rooms, and educational/community programs for all ages. All services are provided free of charge to residents, funded primarily through property tax revenue.
Product overview
Aurora Public Library District operates as a three-branch public library system (Santori Library, Eola Road Branch, and West Branch) plus a Bookmobile, providing traditional and digital library services to Aurora, Illinois. The core offering includes physical and digital collections, technology services (Makerspace, 3D printing, computer labs), meeting and study spaces, and programming for all ages. Digital services are delivered through integrated third-party platforms including Libby (OverDrive), Hoopla, Kanopy, Freegal, and Press Reader for eBooks, streaming media, music, and periodicals. The library runs patron-facing platforms including the Polaris ILS for catalog and account management, the Beanstack-powered Summer Reading Adventure program, and native mobile apps for iOS and Android. Additional services include specialized programs like Court Support (legal assistance), Book Match personalized recommendations, Library of Things (loanable items), and outreach services to homebound residents.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Santori Public Library
- Eola Road Branch
Quantifiable outcome
- 1.5 million items circulated annually
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Aurora Public Library District
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Aurora Public Library District technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Feature4 records
Aurora Public Library District partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Fox Valley Park DistrictcoreBuilding partnership established in 1993 for the Eola Road Branch location, situated adjoining the Fox Valley Park District's Eola Community Center to serve the east side of Aurora
- West Aurora School DistrictcoreBuilding partnership established in 1998 for the West Branch location, situated adjacent to Washington Middle School on the west side of Aurora
- Kane County Law Library & Self Help Legal CentercorePartnership providing Lawyers in the Library (free monthly legal consultations), Court Access Library Centers pilot program participation, expungement clinics, and immigration consultations
- LINKin Library ConsortiumcoreA group of ten Illinois libraries who share materials. APLD cardholders can place holds on items from the LINKin catalog and pick them up at any APLD location
- Illinois State LibraryminorIn 1953, the library leased a Bookmobile from the Illinois State Library to extend services to Aurora's schoolchildren, leading to the establishment of ongoing Bookmobile service
- American Library AssociationminorNational professional association providing Spectrum Scholarship Program supporting diversity in librarianship; APLD had three staff named 2025 ALA Spectrum Scholars
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Aurora Public Library District competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Chicago Public Library: Largest public library system in Illinois, serving Chicago. Comparable as a public library system with overlapping service categories (digital lending, programming, branches), but operates at much greater scale and within a different municipal governance structure.
Direct peers
- Indian Prairie Public Library District: Public library district serving Darien and parts of Willowbrook and unincorporated DuPage County. Directly comparable as an Illinois public library district with similar scale, funding model, and LINKin consortium participation.
- Schaumburg Township District Library: Public library district serving Schaumburg Township in suburban Chicago. Directly comparable as a large Illinois public library district with extensive programming, digital services, and similar tax-based funding model.
- Gail Borden Public Library District: Public library district serving Elgin, Illinois (Kane County, like Aurora). Directly comparable as a fellow Kane County-area Illinois public library district with similar tax funding model and population scale.
- Fountaindale Public Library District: Public library district serving Bolingbrook and portions of unincorporated Will County, Illinois. Directly comparable as an Illinois public library district with similar operational structure, branches, and Makerspace offerings.
- Skokie Public Library: Public library serving Skokie, Illinois, a diverse suburban community. Directly comparable as a similarly-sized Illinois public library with strong focus on diversity, multilingual services, and digital programming.
- Naperville Public Library: Public library serving Naperville, Illinois (also DuPage/Kendall/Will counties). Directly comparable as a similarly sized Illinois public library district with comparable tax funding model, physical branches, and digital collection offerings.
- Des Plaines Public Library: Public library serving Des Plaines, Illinois. Directly comparable as a suburban Illinois public library with similar population scale, tax funding, and program/community engagement model.
- Downers Grove Public Library: Public library serving Downers Grove, Illinois. Directly comparable as a mid-sized Illinois public library with similar operating budget scale, branch model, and digital collection offerings.
Others
- OverDrive / Libby: Digital content platform powering APLD's eBook/audiobook lending. Comparable as a critical technology partner/vendor rather than a competitor; relevant because it determines the depth and economics of APLD's digital collection offering.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aurora Public Library District social profiles
Digital presenceAurora Public Library District financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aurora Public Library District leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Aurora Public Library District funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aurora Public Library District M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aurora Public Library District
What does Aurora Public Library District do?
Aurora Public Library District operates a three-branch public library system (Santori Library, Eola Road Branch, and West Branch) plus two mobile libraries (Bookmobile and Mini-B), serving the 180,582 residents of Aurora, Illinois. The library provides free access to a 540,000-item collection, digital media lending through integrated platforms (Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, Freegal, Press Reader), technology services including a Makerspace with 3D printing, computer labs, meeting and study rooms, and educational/community programs for all ages. All services are provided free of charge to residents, funded primarily through property tax revenue.
Is Aurora Public Library District a public or private company?
Aurora Public Library District is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Aurora Public Library District founded?
Aurora Public Library District was founded in 1881. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Aurora Public Library District based?
Aurora Public Library District is headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, United States, in the North America region.
How does Aurora Public Library District make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Property Tax Revenue is the primary driver. The others are aurora Public Library Foundation Donations and corporate and Community Donations.
Who are Aurora Public Library District's main competitors?
Chicago Public Library is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Indian Prairie Public Library District, Schaumburg Township District Library, Gail Borden Public Library District, Fountaindale Public Library District, Skokie Public Library, Naperville Public Library, Des Plaines Public Library and Downers Grove Public Library. OverDrive / Libby is listed as an others.
Does Aurora Public Library District have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aurora Public Library District.
What industry is Aurora Public Library District in?
Aurora Public Library District's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management, with a secondary code of BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services. Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 8200.