Bibliotheek Heilo

What Bibliotheek Heilo does

Bibliotheek Heiloo is the public library foundation (Stichting Openbare Bibliotheek Heiloo) serving the municipality of Heiloo, Netherlands, founded in 1962 and registered as an ANBI public-benefit institution. It operates a single physical branch at Westerweg 250, Heiloo, and is staffed by 14 paid employees supplemented by 118 volunteers. In 2025 it ranked 2nd on the national Deckers Index of best-performing Dutch public libraries, a composite of visitors, members, loans per member, activity participation, and school partnerships.

The library's core product is physical and digital lending: the WISE/OCLC catalog and member portal underpin account management, the WISE app and BiebApp handle mobile access and reservations, and the online Bibliotheek platform provides access to roughly 60,000 e-books, audiobooks, and digital magazines. Adjacent services include the Taalhuis (Dutch language learning), Digitaalhuis (digital literacy courses such as Klik & Tik and Digisterker), the Informatiepunt Digitale Overheid (walk-in help for digital government services), Passend Lezen (90,000 accessible audiobooks and braille books), Bibliotheek aan Huis (home delivery for mobility-limited patrons), youth programming (voorleesfeestjes, BiebBoys), and cultural programming in the on-site reading café and exhibition space. Publicroam WiFi, Mailchimp newsletters, and Eventbrite ticketing round out the technology stack, all third-party.

Revenue is generated through tiered annual membership subscriptions (Jeugd, Young Adults free under 28 from January 2026, Adult Basic, Adult Comfort fine-free, Digital Only), a €12.50/year Vrienden support membership, and micro-transaction fees including late fees (€0.30/day, cap €5.00), reservation fees (€0.75), printing, guest computer passes (€5.00), and WorldCat scientific loan requests (€7.50). The library is funded primarily by municipal subsidies alongside these earned-revenue streams, with no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no outside equity investors. Membership grants nationwide borrowing access via landelijk gastlenen and digital access via the online Bibliotheek.

Name

Bibliotheek Heilo

Legal name

Stichting Openbare Bibliotheek Heiloo

Website

https://bibliotheekheiloo.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bibliotheek Heiloo is a non-profit public library foundation serving the municipality of Heiloo, Netherlands, providing physical and digital lending, digital literacy training, Dutch language learning, and government information services to residents of all ages, with 14 staff and 118 volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), 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), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Reading & Literacy Intervention Materials for Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia, Decoding, Comprehension) (EDAGAMAH)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital lending platform
• Dutch language learning
• Digital literacy training
• Community information services

Headquarters

HQ city

Heiloo

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Bibliotheek Heiloo generates primary revenue through tiered membership subscriptions. Multiple plan tiers are offered: Jeugd (youth), Young Adults (free from age 28 from January 2026), Volwassen Basis (adult basic), Volwassen Comfort (fine-free), and Digital Only. Membership grants access to physical and digital lending, computer use, and library services.
2. Late Fees and Fines: Fees charged for late returns: €0.30 per item per day, capped at €5.00 per item. Members under 18 are exempt.
3. Reservation Fees: A fee of €0.75 is charged per material reservation, applicable to all membership tiers.
4. Speelotheek (Toy Library) Rental: A small fee is charged for borrowing toys from the Speelotheek collection.
5. Printing and Copying: Revenue from printing and copying services: A4 black-and-white €0.10, color €0.50; A3 black-and-white €0.20, color €1.00.
6. Internet/Guest Computer Use: Non-members can purchase a guest/internet pas for €5.00 to access library computers and printing services.
7. Scientific Book Requests via WorldCat: A fee of €7.50 is charged per request for borrowing scientific books from university libraries via WorldCat Discovery.
8. Friend of the Library (Vrienden van de Bibliotheek): Annual membership of €12.50 supporting the library's continuation. The Stichting Vrienden van Bibliotheek Heiloo holds Cultural ANBI status, making donations tax-deductible as cultural gifts.
9. Lost/Damaged Material Replacement: Replacement costs charged when materials are lost or returned damaged.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Bibliotheek Heiloo operates as a public library providing physical and digital lending of books, e-books, audiobooks, magazines, and toys, alongside community programming, Dutch language learning (Taalhuis), digital literacy training, and government information services. Members access materials via the WISE library system, Online Bibliotheek digital platform, and Wise App, with home delivery available for mobility-limited residents.

Product overview

Bibliotheek Heiloo is a public library offering a unified platform of reading and learning services centered around its physical and digital collections. The core offering consists of physical collection lending (books, media, toys) alongside a digital lending platform called the Online Bibliotheek for e-books, audiobooks, and magazines. The Wise App provides mobile access to catalog search, reservations, and account management. Adjacent services include the Taalhuis (Dutch language learning), the Digitaalhuis (digital literacy including computer courses, Klik & Tik, and Digisterker), and an Informatiepunt Digitale Overheid (Digital Government Information Point). Specialized offerings target youth (reading parties, BiebBoys activities), accessibility (Passend Lezen), homebound patrons (Bibliotheek aan Huis), and book clubs (Leeskringkoffers). The library also hosts a Maakplaats (maker space) and reading café.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fysieke collectie uitleen (Physical Collection Lending) Traditional library lending of physical books, media, and materials with a 4-week loan period and free borrowing on most items, available to members.
• Online Bibliotheek (E-books, Luisterboeken & Tijdschriften) Digital lending platform offering approximately 60,000 e-books, audiobooks, and magazines accessible via smartphone, tablet, e-reader, PC, or laptop with a 3-week loan period.
• Online Cursussen (Online Courses) Free online courses for members through the Online Bibliotheek platform, with 2 complimentary courses per year included with membership.
• Taalhuis (Language House) Language learning center offering Dutch language instruction including conversation groups, language café, language tutoring, reading practice, and computer-based language learning. Free and open to non-members.
• Digitaalhuis & Computer Cursussen Digital literacy program including Klik & Tik (basic computer and internet course), Digisterker (digital government services course), and weekly digital drop-in helpdesk. Free and open to non-members.
• Informatiepunt Digitale Overheid (Digital Government Information Point) Walk-in assistance for digital government services including DigiD, taxes, benefits, healthcare, driver's license renewal, and pensions. Available daily 15:00-17:00, free and open to non-members.
• Bibliotheek aan Huis Home delivery service for patrons who cannot visit the library (minimum 3 months). A volunteer selects materials based on interests, delivers and picks up at home. Only membership fee applies.
• Leeskringkoffers (Book Club Kits) Book club support service providing 7 copies of a selected title in a carrying case with author information, available for reservation with a reading list for 2025-2026.
• Digitaal Spreekuur (Digital Helpdesk) Weekly drop-in helpdesk for questions about tablets, smartphones, laptops, e-books, apps, and internet searching, held Wednesday and Thursday mornings 10:00-11:00, in collaboration with Seniorweb.
• Passend Lezen (Accessible Reading) Special reading service for people with visual impairments, dyslexia, or other reading disabilities, providing 90,000 audiobooks and braille books through Bibliotheekservice Passend Lezen.
• Wetenschappelijke boeken via WorldCat Discovery Inter-library loan service for academic books from university libraries worldwide through WorldCat Discovery, with a fee of €7.50 per request and approximately 3-week delivery time.
• Taalmaatjes & Conversatiegroepen Language matching program pairing learners with volunteer language partners for weekly Dutch practice sessions, with conversation groups on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
• Digitaalhuis Hulp bij Werk Zoeken & Financiën Digital learning resources for job searching (CV, applications, interviews) and financial literacy including budget planning, simple banking tutorials, and money management exercises.
• BiebApp (Borrow without subscription) Pay-per-loan mobile app enabling non-members to borrow books for €2 per loan without a subscription. First two loans are free. Ideal for occasional users and non-members.
• Veilig internetten via Publicroam (Safe WiFi via Publicroam) Secure WiFi service via Publicroam launched in the library, providing automatic connectivity at Publicroam-enabled locations throughout the Netherlands.
• Wise App Mobile application for catalog searching, placing reservations, renewing loans, and accessing member account features. Available for iOS and Android.
• Vrienden van de Bibliotheek (Friends of the Library) Annual membership program at €12.50/year supporting the library's existence, with Cultural ANBI status allowing tax-deductible donations.
• Voorleesfeestjes & Jeugdactiviteiten (Reading Parties & Youth Activities) Weekly reading events for children including story time, crafts, and seasonal activities such as vacation reading hunts, BiebBoys treasure hunts, and reading stamp reward programs.
• Bibliotheek Cadeaubon (Gift Voucher) Gift voucher available in any amount, redeemable for a new membership subscription, valid for 2 years.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked 2nd best performing library in the Netherlands (Deckers Index, 2025) based on visitors, members, loans per member, activity participants, and school partnerships
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SeniorwebminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe weekly digital helpdesk (digitaal inloopspreekuur) is organized in collaboration with Seniorweb, which helps seniors with digital questions regarding tablets, smartphones, laptops, e-books, and internet use.
• dBos - De Bibliotheek op SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe library works with dBos (de Bibliotheek op School) for school library programs. Includes a writing project with author André Nuyens and leesconsulenten (reading consultants) for primary school students in Heiloo.
• Informatiepunt Digitale Overheid (IDO) - Government PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationBibliotheek Heiloo serves as an Informatiepunt Digitale Overheid (Digital Government Information Point), helping citizens navigate government websites including: Belastingdienst, CBR, CIZ, CJIB, DUO, CAK, Huurcommissie, LBIO, Logius, Raad voor Rechtsbijstand, RDW, SVB, UWV, Rijksoverheid, Regelhulp, and Toeslagen. Staff help citizens with DigiD, tax returns, healthcare, social benefits, and more.
• Heiloo EnergieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeiloo Energie (local energy cooperative) holds a weekly helpdesk in the library on Tuesdays and Saturdays (11:00-15:00) as part of the Huis van Duurzaamheid (Sustainable Living Center), providing energy advice and information to residents.
• Stichting Vrienden van Bibliotheek HeiloocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 'Friends of the Library' foundation supports the library financially and programmatically. As a Cultural ANBI, donations are tax-deductible. The foundation publishes its own annual reports and policy plan (2022-2026) and recruits new 'Vrienden' (Friends) at €12.50/year.
• Bibliotheekservice Passend LezencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollaboration with Bibliotheekservice Passend Lezen provides 90,000 audiobooks and braille books for people with reading disabilities (visual impairment, dyslexia, or other limitations). Available at www.passendlezen.nl.
• OCLC / WISEcoreTechnology or IntegrationThe library operates on the WISE (OCLC) library management system, including the catalog (OPAC), member portal (Mijn Bibliotheek), and mobile app (Wise App). This is the core technology infrastructure for all library operations.
• Basisscholen Heiloo (Primary Schools)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with five primary schools in Heiloo for the writing project with author André Nuyens and leesconsulenten (reading consultants). Schools participate in collaborative reading and writing programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (OBA): Largest public library system in the Netherlands operating across multiple branches; directly comparable as a public library foundation (Stichting) offering lending, digital services, language learning, and civic programs, but at far greater scale and in a metropolitan context.
• Koninklijke Bibliotheek (KB): National library of the Netherlands providing the online Bibliotheek platform, e-book lending infrastructure, and policy leadership for Dutch public libraries; Heiloo operates as a distribution node within the KB-coordinated national system.

Emerging players

• OverDrive / Libby: Global digital lending platform widely used by public libraries for e-books and audiobooks; comparable to Heiloo's Online Bibliotheek service but operates on a commercial SaaS model rather than public-benefit structure.
• Stichting Lezen en Schrijven: Dutch national foundation focused on low literacy and Dutch language learning for adults; overlaps with Bibliotheek Heiloo's Taalhuis program addressing language barriers, digital literacy, and civic integration for non-native speakers.

Others

• OCLC (WorldCat / WISE): Global library cooperative providing the WISE library management system, WorldCat inter-library loan, and shared catalog infrastructure that Bibliotheek Heiloo depends on; not a direct competitor but a critical enabling/technology partner.
• Bibliotheca (Library Ideas): Global provider of library RFID, self-service, and digital lending technology solutions to public libraries; adjacent infrastructure provider rather than a direct peer, but supplies similar technology categories as OCLC WISE.
• Probiblio: Provincial library support organization for North Holland and Flevoland; provides shared services, hosting infrastructure (Mijn Bibliotheek portal linked from Heiloo), and strategic support to municipal libraries including Heiloo.

Direct peers

• Bibliotheekservice Passend Lezen: Dutch service organization providing accessible reading materials (90,000 audiobooks and braille books) for people with reading disabilities; directly partnered with Bibliotheek Heiloo and operates in the same inclusive-library service category.
• Bibliotheek Utrecht: Dutch public library serving a mid-sized municipality with similar multi-channel offerings (physical lending, digital platforms, Taalhuis, educational programming); operates in the same national bibliotheek.nl network and OCLC WISE ecosystem.
• Bibliotheek Rotterdam: Municipal public library offering comparable services including digital literacy, language learning, and government information points; co-member of the national library network and uses the same OCLC infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BiebHeiloo
• Instagraminstagram.com/biebheiloo
• TikToktiktok.com/@biebheiloo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bibliotheek-heilo

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Bibliotheek Heilo