Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville

What Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville does

Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville is a non-profit public library founded on April 30, 1903, with funding from industrialist Andrew Carnegie and operating from a historic Italianate sandstone building at 124 N. Arch St. in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. It was the 13th Carnegie-commissioned library in the United States and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. The library serves Connellsville-area residents — children, teens, adults, job seekers, seniors, and genealogy researchers — through a mix of physical and digital resources including a 1M+ volume catalog accessed via the WAGGIN Network consortium of 17 libraries in Fayette, Greene, and Washington Counties, downloadable eBooks and audiobooks through OverDrive/Libby, Ancestry.com Library Edition, on-site computers and WiFi, an on-site local history museum, facility rentals, and children's and teen programming.

The library's technology stack is built entirely on third-party platforms: the Polaris integrated library system for catalog circulation, OverDrive/Libby for digital lending, Power Library for statewide electronic database access, Brainfuse JobNow and WinWay Resume for career services, and Gale Courses for workforce development. There is no proprietary technology, no AI/ML capability, and no mobile app. Patrons access the catalog via the WAGGIN online portal and can borrow across member libraries via shared inter-library loan.

Revenue is non-commercial. The library is funded primarily by Pennsylvania state aid, federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) pass-through funds administered by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, local tax appropriations, and charitable donations. Ancillary fee-for-service revenue streams — replacement cards ($2), printing/faxing/laminating ($0.25–$1 per page), inter-library loan fines ($1/day), and facility rentals (Board Room, Media Center, Auditorium) — are nominal. The library holds PA Forward Gold Star Library accreditation and operates with a small staff of approximately 5–8 employees and a board of directors.

Name

Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville

Legal name

Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville

Website

https://carnegiefreelib.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1903

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville is a non-profit public library founded in 1903, serving Connellsville, PA residents with books, digital content, computer access, genealogy resources, programming, and a local history museum via the WAGGIN 17-library consortium.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Museums (71211), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAEAGAC

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYBPAIACAO

Public Libraries & Information Services

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

SECONDARYBPAGAHAA

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAAAFAA

Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Community & Public Education Programs (Libraries, Community Centers)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community library programs
• Digital library resources
• Genealogy research services
• Library facility rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Connellsville

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: State funding through Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.
2. Facility Rental: Rental income from Board Room, Michael Prestia Media Center, and Auditorium spaces for community events, business meetings, and gatherings.
3. Memorials and Donations: Monetary donations to purchase books, support operating expenses, or fund renovation projects; memorial gifts to honor loved ones.
4. Fines and Fees: Replacement costs for lost/damaged materials, overdue inter-library loan fees ($1/day), photocopies (25¢/page), color copies ($1/page), faxing ($1/page), laminating ($1/page).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville is a nonprofit public library providing free library cards, access to physical and digital book collections (eBooks, audiobooks, music, movies), public computers and WiFi, genealogy and local history research resources, career services, children's and teen programming, a local history museum, museum passes, and rentable event spaces. The library serves Connellsville and surrounding Fayette, Greene, and Washington counties through its physical facility and participation in the 17-library WAGGIN consortium.

Product overview

Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville is a public library offering a unified suite of services centered on access to physical and digital collections, educational programs, and community resources. The core offerings include free library cards providing access to books, digital content (eBooks, audiobooks, music, movies), computer and WiFi access, genealogy and local history research via microfilm and Ancestry.com, career services through JobNow, and a local history museum. Additional programs include children's story times, teen book club, museum passes for regional attractions, and facility rentals (Board Room, Media Center, and Auditorium) for community events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Card Services
• Public Computer and WiFi Access
• Digital Content Services
• Genealogy and Local History Research On-site genealogy and local history research using Ancestry.com Library Edition and microfilm archives of The Connellsville Courier dating back to 1879, supported by a dedicated Genealogy & Local History Clerk.
• Career and Employment Services Resume assistance and career resources including JobNow (Brainfuse), WinWay resume software, and free printing on resume paper funded by a Fayette County Library System grant.
• Digital Device Assistance One-on-one patron assistance with smartphones, tablets, and computers to build technology literacy across age groups.
• Local History Museum On-site museum exhibit on the top floor of the library showcasing regional industrial and cultural history, including Coal & Coke Museum exhibits, B&O Railroad history, beehive coke ovens, and notable local figures.
• Children's Story Time Programs Weekly children's story time sessions, including Wednesday Story Time with Miss Judy and Thursday Story Time with Miss Roxanne, designed for early literacy development.
• Teen Book Club Monthly book club meeting held on the third Saturday from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. for teen patrons to build reading habits and community.
• Museum Pass Program Free checkout of museum passes for nine Western Pennsylvania museums through the Heinz History Center Affiliates Program, admitting up to two adults and six children per pass.
• Facility Rentals (Board Room, Michael Prestia Media Center, Auditorium) Rental of three on-site event spaces—Board Room (10-12 people), Michael Prestia Media Center (up to 20 people with AV and 9-panel video wall), and Auditorium (up to 150 people)—for community, business, and cultural events.
• Copy, Fax, and Laminating Services Photocopying, computer printing, faxing, and laminating services for patron document needs at unit prices (black-and-white copies 25¢/page, color copies $1/page, faxing $1/page, laminating $1/page).

Quantifiable outcome

• Access to over 1 million volumes through 17-library consortium
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WAGGIN NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationShared online catalog consortium of 17 public libraries in Fayette, Greene, and Washington Counties, Pennsylvania. Enables inter-library borrowing, holds, renewals, reading history, and to-read lists across member libraries. Also provides access to downloadable eBooks, audiobooks, and Gale Courses for workforce development.
• Heinz History Center Affiliates ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership allowing patrons to check out museum passes for Western Pennsylvania museums, admitting up to 2 adults and 6 children per pass. Includes 9 museum sites: Bushy Run Battlefield, Captain William Vicary Mansion, Depreciation Lands Museum, Duncan & Miller Glass Museum, Gibson House Manor, Harmony Museum, Heinz History Center, Historic Fort Steuben, and others. Virtual kits available for each location.
• Fayette County Library SystemcoreOthersGrant provider for WinWay resume software including free printing on resume paper, supporting patron job search and career development services.
• U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)coreOthersFederal funding agency providing Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds administered through Pennsylvania's state library programs.
• Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth LibrariescoreOthersState agency administering LSTA funds and Library Access funds, providing operational support and oversight for the library as a state-funded institution.
• Greater Connellsville Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership through Career Corner Facebook page managed by Chamber to help community members seeking employment access job resources and opportunities.
• Power LibrarycoreTechnology or IntegrationStatewide digital library resources including Kids Power Library, PA Chat (real-time reference chat service), and electronic databases accessible through library card.
• Ancestry.com (Library Edition)coreTechnology or IntegrationGenealogy research database available on-site at library for patrons researching family history and local records.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Power Library (Pennsylvania): Statewide Pennsylvania digital library network providing databases, chat reference, and electronic resources to PA public libraries including Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville. Comparable as an enabling infrastructure partner within the same ecosystem.
• OverDrive (Libby): Digital content platform that powers the library's eBook/audiobook lending and is integrated through the WAGGIN catalog. Comparable as a core technology/infrastructure provider enabling the library's digital service layer.
• Pennsylvania Library Association: State-level industry association that administers the PA Forward Star Program accreditation held by this library. Comparable as the governing/advocacy body for the industry segment in which the library operates.
• Heinz History Center: Western Pennsylvania history museum operating the Affiliates museum-pass program used by this library. Comparable as a regional cultural-heritage institution partnered with the library to deliver museum access to patrons.
• Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh: Network of Carnegie-endowed museums in Pittsburgh (art, natural history, science, Andy Warhol). Comparable as a fellow Carnegie-philanthropy institution sharing brand heritage and operating in the same Western Pennsylvania cultural ecosystem.
• Brainfuse / JobNow: Vendor providing the JobNow career-assistance platform that the library uses for resume help and online tutoring. Comparable as a service partner that the library resells/brands to patrons.

Direct peers

• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Another Andrew Carnegie-funded public library in Pennsylvania operating multiple branches with similar public-library service offerings (catalog lending, programming, digital access). Directly comparable as a Carnegie-heritage public library serving a Pennsylvania community.
• Fayette County Library System: County-level library system of which this library is a member; provides grant funding (e.g., WinWay resume software) and operates sibling public libraries in the same geography. Directly comparable as a peer public library serving the same county footprint.

Broad incumbents

• New York Public Library: Major U.S. public library system with historic branches, programming, and museum-style exhibits (including the Polonsky Exhibition). Comparable as an established public library brand with cultural-heritage positioning, though at vastly larger scale.
• Free Library of Philadelphia: Large urban public library system in Pennsylvania delivering the same core services (catalog lending, children's programming, digital content, community programming) at much greater scale. Comparable as a Pennsylvania public library peer in the same operating environment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CarnegiFreeLib
• Facebookfacebook.com/CarnegieConnellsville
• Instagraminstagram.com/carnegiefreelibrary
• Pinterestpinterest.com/carnegiefreelib
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carnegie-free-library-of-connellsville

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville