Citizens Library
Citizens Library is a non-profit public library founded in 1870 in Washington, PA, serving as the District Center coordinating 20+ member libraries across Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties in Pennsylvania and serving 375,052+ residents with free borrowing, digital content, genealogy research, and community programming.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1870
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Citizens Library does
Citizens Library is a non-profit public library founded in 1870 by Dr. Francis J. LeMoyne in Washington, Pennsylvania, currently operating from a building dedicated in 1965 at 55 S College Street. The organization functions as the designated District Center for libraries across Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties, coordinating activities among 14 member libraries in Washington County, 2 in Greene County, and 4 in Fayette County, plus 6 affiliate libraries — collectively serving 375,052+ county residents. Core services include free library cards for county residents, book and digital content borrowing, inter-library loans via the WAGGIN Network shared catalog consortium, genealogy and local history research at the Dorothea and Henry H. Hood History Center, internet access, printing, and community programming across all age groups.
The technology stack is conventional for a public library system and includes the Polaris integrated library system, the WAGGIN shared online catalog (washlibs.org), the Libby/OverDrive digital lending platform for ebooks and audiobooks, and a portfolio of third-party databases including Ancestry Library Edition, POWER Library, Comics Plus, KnowledgeCity, ScienceFlix, Transparent Language Online, and Gale Virtual Reference Library. The Dorothea and Henry H. Hood History Center maintains specialized local history collections including newspapers dating from 1808 and city directories from 1899, integrated with external genealogy platforms such as FamilySearch, MyHeritage, and Find a Grave.
Citizens Library operates as a non-profit entity funded primarily through government appropriations from the state of Pennsylvania, Washington County, multiple townships (Amwell, Canton, North Franklin, South Strabane, South Franklin), the city of Washington, East Washington Borough, and the McGuffey School District. Supplementary revenue comes from patron donations, the Friends of the Library organization (200+ members, founded 1945), the volunteer-run CitiBooks used bookstore, memorial and honor gifts, and nominal service fees including $15 history search requests, $0.25-$0.50 printing, and $2 library card replacement. Governance rests with a Board of Directors (2024 composition includes David Franz as President, J. Bruce McDowell as Vice-President, Mike Jones as Secretary/Treasurer, and additional members). The organization employs 7 people and has achieved Gold Star Library status under the PA Forward Star Program administered by the Pennsylvania Library Association.
Citizens Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Citizens Library
- Legal name
- Citizens Library
- Website
- https://citlib.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1870
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Citizens Library is a non-profit public library founded in 1870 in Washington, PA, serving as the District Center coordinating 20+ member libraries across Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties in Pennsylvania and serving 375,052+ residents with free borrowing, digital content, genealogy research, and community programming.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Citizens Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)
Keywords
Where Citizens Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Citizens Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Government Funding: The library receives funding from the state of Pennsylvania, Washington County, multiple townships (Amwell, Canton, North Franklin, South Strabane, South Franklin), the city of Washington, East Washington Borough, school districts including McGuffey, and remaining boroughs and townships in the McGuffey School District.
- Donations and Memorial Gifts: Patrons and the Friends of the Library Organization contribute donations. Memorial and Honor gifts provide another stream where items are purchased in memory of loved ones and marked with gift plates.
- CitiBooks Bookstore Proceeds: The volunteer-run used bookstore at Citizens Library sells gently used books and donates all proceeds to the library. The store is operated by the Friends of the Library volunteers.
- Service Fees: Nominal fees for specific services including history search requests ($15), printing ($0.25 black & white, $0.50 color), and lost library card replacement ($2).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free library services for county residents |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Printing services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | History search requests |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Library card replacement |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Memorial and Honor donations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Citizens Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Citizens Library is a non-profit public library founded in 1870 that provides free borrowing, digital content access, genealogy and local history research, community programming, and printing services to residents of Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties in Pennsylvania. It also functions as the District Center coordinating services across 20+ member and affiliate libraries via the WAGGIN network consortium, while operating the volunteer-run CitiBooks used bookstore to raise funds.
Product overview
Citizens Library is a traditional public library system that operates as a District Center for libraries in Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1870, it provides core library services including physical and digital borrowing, internet access, and community programs. The organization functions as a consortium hub through the WAGGIN Network, coordinating inter-library loans across 20+ member libraries. Key services include the CitiBooks volunteer-run used bookstore, the Dorothea and Henry H. Hood History Center for genealogy and local history research, and digital content access via the Libby platform. The library also provides District Center services including professional consultation, continuing education, and technology assistance to member libraries, with support from the Friends of the Library organization.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CitiBooks: Used bookstore operated by Friends of the Library volunteers selling gently used books for all ages
Products and services
- Citizens Library
- WAGGIN Network
Quantifiable outcome
- 375,052+ county residents served across Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Citizens Library
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Citizens Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration14 records
Feature3 records
Citizens Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- WAGGIN Network (Washington Area Green Libraries)coreWAGGIN is a shared online catalog and consortium of public libraries in Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties. The network enables district-wide inter-library loans, resource sharing, and coordinated services across member libraries. Citizens Library serves as the District Center coordinating these activities.
- PA Forward Star ProgramcoreCitizens Library participates in the PA Forward Star Program administered by the Pennsylvania Library Association. The library has achieved Gold Star status, demonstrating excellence in providing library services that advance literacy, education, and community engagement.
- Washington County Historical SocietyminorReferral partnership for detailed genealogy requests such as family history and tax records. History Center refers patrons with complex genealogical needs to the Historical Society for specialized research assistance.
- Libby/OverDrivecoreCitizens Library provides OverDrive (e-content) through the Libby app, enabling patrons to borrow free ebooks, digital audiobooks, and magazines. The library manages the contract, site, content, and district-wide coordination.
- Budd Baer Subaru (ScienceFlix Donor)minorBudd Baer Subaru donated ScienceFlix database through their Share the Love Campaign, providing access to over 50 complete units of study with 8,000+ science-related assets.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Citizens Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Pennsylvania-based public library system serving Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Directly comparable as a regional public library with similar offerings (book lending, digital content, community programs) operating under the same state-level Pennsylvania library framework.
- Free Library of Philadelphia: Large public library system in Pennsylvania serving Philadelphia with similar core services (borrowing, digital lending, community programs, District Center-like coordination). Directly comparable as a Pennsylvania public library with shared funding context and consortia overlap.
Emerging players
- Hoopla Digital: Digital content lending platform for libraries offering ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and TV. Comparable as an emerging digital distribution peer to OverDrive/Libby in the library e-content space.
Others
- OverDrive (Libby): Digital lending platform powering the Libby app used by Citizens Library for ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines. A key technology vendor peer shaping the library's digital distribution strategy.
- OCLC: Global library cooperative providing cataloging, inter-library loan (WorldCat), and resource sharing services. Citizens Library directly integrates with OCLC for out-of-state inter-library loans, making OCLC a critical infrastructure peer.
- Bibliotheca (now part of Axiell): Library technology provider offering integrated library systems (ILS), RFID, and self-service solutions. Comparable as a vendor peer in the library technology stack Citizens Library operates within (Polaris ILS, etc.).
- Gale (Cengage): Provider of research databases including Gale Virtual Reference Library used by Citizens Library. Comparable as a content/database vendor enabling library research services.
- Polaris Library Systems (Innovative Interfaces): Provider of the Polaris ILS (Integrated Library System) used by Citizens Library and the WAGGIN consortium. Direct technology infrastructure peer powering the library's catalog and circulation.
Regional players
- Lycoming County Library System: Pennsylvania county-level public library system with similar District Center/coordinating structure across Lycoming County. Comparable as a regional PA public library peer operating under the same state framework.
- PA Power Library: Pennsylvania state-funded digital resource portal providing databases (Transparent Language, MyHeritage, etc.) to PA residents. Comparable as a Pennsylvania-specific information services ecosystem peer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Citizens Library social profiles
Digital presenceCitizens Library compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Citizens Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Citizens Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Citizens Library subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Citizens Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Citizens Library 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 Citizens Library
What does Citizens Library do?
Citizens Library is a non-profit public library founded in 1870 that provides free borrowing, digital content access, genealogy and local history research, community programming, and printing services to residents of Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties in Pennsylvania. It also functions as the District Center coordinating services across 20+ member and affiliate libraries via the WAGGIN network consortium, while operating the volunteer-run CitiBooks used bookstore to raise funds.
Is Citizens Library a public or private company?
Citizens Library is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Citizens Library founded?
Citizens Library was founded in 1870. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Citizens Library based?
Citizens Library is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Citizens Library make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Memorial Gifts, citiBooks Bookstore Proceeds and service Fees.
Who are Citizens Library's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Free Library of Philadelphia. Hoopla Digital is listed as an emerging player. Others are OverDrive (Libby), OCLC, Bibliotheca (now part of Axiell), Gale (Cengage) and Polaris Library Systems (Innovative Interfaces). Regional players are Lycoming County Library System and PA Power Library.
Does Citizens Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Citizens Library.
What industry is Citizens Library in?
Citizens Library's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services, with a secondary code of EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management. Its NAICS code is 51921.