Clarendon Hills Public Library

What Clarendon Hills Public Library does

Clarendon Hills Public Library is a tax-supported municipal public library serving the incorporated residents of Clarendon Hills, Illinois, a small village in DuPage County. Founded in 1963 by over 100 community volunteers and formalized as a tax-supported institution by 1968 referendum, the library operates from a single building at 7 North Prospect Avenue with a small professional staff and volunteer support. Its core services include traditional lending of books, media, and digital content, supplemented by a differentiated Library of Things collection (hotspots, Kindles, projectors, gaming consoles, STEM kits), research databases, 3D printing, notary/proctoring services, and homebound delivery for residents unable to visit in person.

The library's technology platform is built on the SWAN (System Wide Automated Network) consortium ILS, which provides shared catalog, circulation, and patron management across member libraries including Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Indian Prairie, and Westmont. The SWAN Libraries+ mobile app enables 24/7 self-service access for catalog search, holds, and account management. Six outdoor pickup lockers extend physical service availability beyond building hours. Digital collections include eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, eMusic, and eMovies through platforms such as Hoopla, Flipster, and BiblioBoard. Programs span all age groups, including the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten early literacy initiative (via Beanstack), summer reading, book discussions, museum pass partnerships, and community events.

The business model is overwhelmingly tax-funded: 97% of revenue comes from property taxes. Secondary revenue streams include non-resident library cards ($275/year covering immediate family), meeting room rentals ($25 for up to 4 hours, $50 for 4-8 hours), 3D printing ($0.10/gram), copying/faxing services, donations, and commemorative brick purchases ($100). The institution adopted a fine-free policy for overdue items, signaling a mission-driven rather than revenue-driven operating posture. Customer segments are exclusively residential and geographically bounded, with unincorporated residents south of 55th Street redirected to Indian Prairie Public Library District. The library is governed by a Board of Trustees and supported by the Friends of the Clarendon Hills Public Library, a separate nonprofit.

Name

Clarendon Hills Public Library

Legal name

Clarendon Hills Public Library

Website

https://clarendonhillslibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Clarendon Hills Public Library is a tax-supported municipal library serving residents of Clarendon Hills, Illinois, with physical lending, digital collections, a Library of Things, SWAN consortium access, and community programs for all ages.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital lending
• Community programs
• Research databases
• Library of things

Headquarters

HQ city

Clarendon Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Property Tax Revenue: 97% of library revenue comes from property taxes, providing stable recurring funding for operations.
2. Non-Resident Library Cards: Residents outside incorporated Clarendon Hills who do not pay library taxes can purchase non-resident cards for $275 per year, covering immediate family.
3. Donations and Memorial Gifts: Monetary donations from the Friends of the Library, brick purchases ($100 each), and item sponsorship in memory/honor of individuals.
4. Meeting Room Rental: Fee-based meeting room rental: $25 for up to 4 hours, $50 for 4-8 hours. Available to local organizations and non-profits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Clarendon Hills Public Library is a municipal public library that lends physical and digital materials, provides access to research databases and technology services, and runs community programs for all ages. Its core offerings include book and media lending, a Library of Things specialty collection, digital content (eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, eMusic, eMovies), 3D printing, public computer and WiFi access, and meeting room rentals.

Product overview

Clarendon Hills Public Library offers a comprehensive suite of library services encompassing physical and digital collections, technology offerings, and community programs. The core offering includes traditional library materials (books, magazines, DVDs, CDs) available for borrowing, supplemented by the Library of Things specialty lending program for non-traditional items. Digital services are delivered through the SWAN Catalog platform and SWAN Libraries + mobile app, providing access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, eMusic, and eMovies. The library provides research databases through partnerships with vendors including EBSCO, Ancestry.com, and Morningstar. Technology services include public computers, free WiFi, 3D printing, scanning, faxing, and pickup lockers for after-hours holds. Community programs include museum pass partnerships, study and meeting room reservations, proctoring, notary services, seed library, homebound delivery, and personalized reading recommendations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library of Things A specialty lending collection offering non-traditional library items for checkout to adult CHPL cardholders, including technology devices (Kindles, hotspots, projectors, gaming consoles), hobby equipment, STEM learning kits, and activity backpacks.
• Digital Collection Access to electronic media including eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines (Flipster), eMusic (Hoopla), and eMovies, available through the library's digital platform for CHPL cardholders.
• Library Mobile App (SWAN Libraries+) Mobile application providing real-time access to the library catalog and account features including search, holds placement, and account information management for CHPL cardholders on iOS and Android.
• Research Databases Subscription-based online research resources including academic journals (Academic Search Complete), business databases (Business Source Complete), genealogical records (Ancestry.com Library Edition), health resources, investment research (Morningstar), test preparation (LearningExpress Library), language learning (Transparent Language Online), and tutoring services (Tutor.com).
• 3D Printing Service 3D printing service using a Flash Forge Adventurer 3 printer. Patrons submit .stl design files; library staff prints objects up to 6 inches in various colors. Pricing is $0.10/gram. Available to CHPL cardholders only, limited to one job per patron per month.
• Pickup Locker Service Six outdoor lockers for after-hours pickup of held library materials. Items remain available for 7 days. Patrons unlock using the last four digits of their library card barcode.
• Interlibrary Loan Free service for CHPL cardholders to borrow materials from other Illinois libraries or out-of-state when not available through the SWAN catalog or electronic resources.
• Museum Pass Program Partnership program providing CHPL cardholders discounted or free admission to area cultural destinations including Brookfield Zoo, Naper Settlement, and Chicago Botanic Garden through Museum Adventure Pass and Explore More Illinois.
• BiblioBoard (Locally Created Content) Digital platform enabling community members to create and share their own content including photos, documents, audio, and video. The library has posted a Library History collection through this platform.
• Meeting Room Rental Fee-based meeting room rental for Clarendon Hills organizations and non-profits. $25 for up to 4 hours and $50 for 4-8 hours. Available for non-commercial use.
• Homebound Delivery Service Monthly delivery of library materials to residents 18+ who are temporarily or permanently confined to home due to illness, age, or disability and live in incorporated Clarendon Hills with a valid library card.
• Library Card Free library card for Clarendon Hills residents providing full borrowing privileges, digital collection access, and reciprocal borrowing through the SWAN consortium. Non-resident cards are $275/year covering immediate family.
• Faxing Service Pay-per-page faxing service. $1.50 for first page, $1.00 per additional page for continental US faxes. Free to receive faxes.
• Copying and Scanning Service Coin-operated copying and printing service. $0.10 per page black and white; $0.50 per page color. $0.10 per page printing from computers or wireless.
• Notary and Proctoring Services Free notary services and proctoring for CHPL cardholders including exam monitoring and document certification.
• Remembrance Garden Brick Program Donation-based program where contributors pay $100 for a 4 x 8 inch inscribed brick placed in the Remembrance Garden path in front of the library. Over 150 bricks have been placed.
• Children's Programs and Early Literacy Programs for children including summer reading, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, story times, Read to the Dogs, STEM resources, and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library partnership.

Quantifiable outcome

• Fine-free policy eliminates late fee revenue but 97% of revenue from property taxes makes this sustainable
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SWAN Library NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationSWAN (System Wide Automated Network) is the library consortium providing shared catalog, circulation, and patron management systems. Enables reciprocal borrowing with member libraries including Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Indian Prairie, and Westmont.
• Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAILS is a library system serving northern and central Illinois libraries. Provides job board access and system-wide resource sharing and support services.
• LVIS (Libraries Very Interested in Sharing)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterlibrary loan network for reciprocal lending of materials between member libraries. CHPL lends freely to reciprocating libraries but restricts lending of reference and new materials.
• Museum Adventure PassminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProgram providing free or discounted passes to Brookfield Zoo, Naper Settlement, Chicago Botanic Garden, Cantigny Park, and other participating museums. Passes available to CHPL cardholders.
• Explore More IllinoisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFree service providing participating museums and attractions throughout Illinois. Some offer free passes, others discounted admission. Includes Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Chicago Children's Museum, and The Morton Arboretum.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly literacy program providing free books to children from birth until they begin school. CHPL partners to promote and administer the program locally.
• Friends of the Clarendon Hills Public LibrarycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit organization funding library programs, services, and special events. Provides initial funding for Seed Library. Holds quarterly meetings and plant/book sales. President: Anne Kozak ([email protected]).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Woodridge Public Library: Nearby DuPage County municipal library with similar tax-supported model and suburban Chicago community focus. Comparable in scale and service offerings to Clarendon Hills.
• Westmont Public Library: SWAN consortium peer serving Westmont, Illinois. Comparable small suburban public library with similar municipal funding and programming orientation.
• Darien Public Library District: DuPage County library district serving a similar suburban Chicago population. Comparable in scale, funding model, and core service offerings.
• La Grange Public Library: Nearby western suburb public library serving a similar affluent residential community with comparable property tax funding and program offerings.
• Indian Prairie Public Library District: SWAN consortium member that directly competes for Clarendon Hills postal addresses south of 55th Street. Similar suburban Illinois public library with overlapping service area and comparable offerings.
• Lisle Library District: Adjacent DuPage County library district with comparable suburban service area and tax-funded operating model. Direct peer in size and program mix.
• Downers Grove Public Library: SWAN member library serving nearby Downers Grove with similar municipal funding model, collection scale, and community programming focus. Provides reciprocal borrowing access to CHPL cardholders.
• Hinsdale Public Library: Adjacent DuPage County municipal library and fellow SWAN consortium member offering reciprocal borrowing. Operates as a direct peer with similar size, tax-funded model, and suburban Chicago resident base.

Others

• Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS): Illinois regional library system that provides resource sharing, job board, and support services to CHPL and other member libraries. Ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.

Regional players

• Brookfield Public Library: Cook County suburban library operating in a comparable municipal context but in a different county from Clarendon Hills. Similar size and tax-supported funding model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CHLibrary
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRGHE1QfN7J2M9XtwqKiWhw/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/Clarendon-Hills-Library-129414063743033
• Instagraminstagram.com/chplibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clarendon-hills-public-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Clarendon Hills Public Library