Bibliotheek Waterland

Name

Bibliotheek Waterland

Legal name

Stichting Openbare Bibliotheek Waterland

Website

https://bibliotheekwaterland.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

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), Audio Learning Content (Podcasts, Audiobooks, Listening Programs) (EDAGALAM), Media Center & Audiovisual Lending Operations (Equipment Checkout, Production Support) (EDAEAGAG)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Book lending subscriptions
• Digital library access
• Community education programs
• Language literacy support

Headquarters

HQ city

Purmerend

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership subscriptions: Annual membership fees ranging from free (youth under 18) to €73.50 (Top subscription). Includes automatic collection discount option. Revenue from recurring subscription model.
2. Late fees: €0.30 per item per day late fee for overdue materials (max €5 per item). Not charged for Top/Youth subscriptions.
3. Printing and copying: A4 black/white €0.10, A4 color €0.50, A3 black/white €0.20, A3 color €1.00. Scanning is free.
4. BiebApp rental income: €2.00 per item borrowed through BiebApp for non-members who don't have subscription
5. Interlibrary loan fees: €0.50 per reservation outside Bibliotheek Waterland network, €5.00 per WorldCat Discovery request for scientific books
6. Donations and Friend memberships: 'Friend of the Library' annual fee of €15.00 plus one-time donations. ANBI status enables tax-deductible giving.
7. Fines and renewals: €0.50 per item renewal for certain subscription types. Late fees and administrative charges.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bibliotheek Waterland is a non-profit public library foundation operating 16 locations across the Waterland region in the Netherlands, providing book and media lending, digital library access (e-books, audiobooks), online learning courses, language and literacy programs, and community services including home delivery, study booths, and digital government assistance. The organization runs on an annual membership subscription model supplemented by public funding, and serves general residents, children, non-native speakers, elderly, and homebound individuals.

Product overview

Bibliotheek Waterland operates as a public library system with 9 physical branches and multiple service points across the Waterland region (Purmerend, Volendam, Edam, Beemster, Landsmeer, Monnickendam, Marken, Broek in Waterland, and Ilpendam). The organization offers a multi-tiered subscription model (Basis, Top, Jeugd, Instap, Zomerabonnement) providing access to physical book and media lending, digital services (Online Bibliotheek for e-books and audiobooks), online learning platforms (Soofos and SkillsTown), and community programs (NL Plein for language learning, CoderDojo for coding, VoorleesExpress for literacy). The digital portfolio includes the BiebApp for non-member borrowing, the Wise App for account management, and the LuisterBieb app for audiobooks. Supporting services include Speel-o-theek (toy library), studiecabines (study booths), computer facilities with printing services, Boekendienst aan Huis (home delivery), and IDO (digital government assistance). A new Digiplein program (launching September 2026) will consolidate digital skills training and assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OntdekLAB: Digital discovery lab offering technology activities including CoderDojo, robotics, and digital workshops for children and adults
• NL plein
• Speel-o-theek
• Digiplein
• VoorleesExpress / DoorleesExpress

Products and services

• Basis Abonnement
• Top Abonnement
• Jeugd Abonnement
• Online Bibliotheek (E-books & Luisterboeken)
• BiebApp
• Online Cursussen (Soofos & SkillsTown)
• Speel-o-theek

Quantifiable outcome

• Free library membership for all youth under 18 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SoofoscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Online course platform partnership providing members with access to 150+ courses covering cooking, movement, nutrition, language, health, and sustainability topics. Courses available through library member login credentials.
• SkillsTowncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Online learning platform partnership providing courses on digital skills, AI skills, online safety, communication, and leadership. Accessible through library member login.
• Clup WelzijncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelfare organization partner for NL plein language and digital inclusion programs. Collaborates on digital government services support and social welfare initiatives.
• Gilde PurmerendcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization providing digital literacy support and computer training (Orde op je computer program). Partners on Digiplein initiatives.
• Koninklijke Bibliotheek (KB)coreTechnology or IntegrationNational library organization enabling access to Online Bibliotheek services including e-books, audiobooks, and digital magazines. Provides technical integration through probiblio systems.
• ProbibliocoreTechnology or IntegrationLibrary services organization providing OCLC Wise system, BiebApp platform, and other library technology infrastructure.
• Gemeente PurmerendcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary municipality partner supporting library operations and community programs including NL plein, Oudercafé, and Digiplein.
• Gemeente Edam-VolendamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipality partner for library services and community programs including NL plein locations.
• Gemeente LandsmeercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipality partner for library services and community programs including NL plein.
• Gemeente WaterlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipality partner for library services in the Waterland region including Monnickendam.
• Werkcentrum Zaanstreek-WaterlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployment center partnership offering walk-in consultation hours in Bibliotheek Purmerend for job seekers and career development support.
• CoderDojo FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal coding education network affiliation enabling monthly CoderDojo programming in OntdekLAB for children aged 5-17.
• Stichting Lezen & SchrijvencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational literacy foundation partner collaborating on language learning programs and awareness for low-literacy adults.
• Vluchtelingenwerk NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRefugee support organization partner for NL plein programming supporting Ukrainian refugees and other newcomers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bibliotheek Utrecht: Central Netherlands public library with comparable multi-tier subscription model, digital lending, language programs, and community-embedded service points.
• Bibliotheek Amsterdam: The largest public library system in the Netherlands, operating multiple branches across Amsterdam with similar subscription tiers, digital lending, and community programming. Directly comparable operating model scaled to a major city.
• Bibliotheek Rotterdam: Major Dutch public library serving the Rotterdam region with comparable subscription structure, e-book lending via Online Bibliotheek, and community education programs including NL plein.
• DOK Delft: Innovative Dutch public library known for combining traditional lending with extensive maker spaces, learning labs, and community programming. Comparable concept-of-the-future library model.
• Bibliotheek Den Haag: Public library system serving The Hague with similar multi-branch structure, NL plein-equivalent programs, digital lending, and home delivery services for elderly residents.

Others

• Probiblio: Regional support organization providing OCLC Wise library management systems, BiebApp, and other technology infrastructure to Bibliotheek Waterland and other Dutch libraries. Enabling ecosystem partner.

Broad incumbents

• Koninklijke Bibliotheek (KB): The national library of the Netherlands, providing Online Bibliotheek infrastructure, policy framework, and coordination for the public library sector. Functions as both peer and infrastructure provider.
• New York Public Library: Large international peer demonstrating the scale potential of public library systems and offering comparable digital lending, community programming, and educational partnerships as structural models.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@bibliotheekwaterland
• Facebookfacebook.com/bibliotheekwaterland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bibliotheek-waterland
• Instagraminstagram.com/bibliotheekwaterland

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Waterland