DKPL
The DeKalb Public Library (DKPL) is a municipal public library serving approximately 44,000 residents in DeKalb, Illinois. Founded in 1893, it provides free access to 150,000+ physical items, multiple digital lending platforms, a makerspace, sound studio, and community programs funded primarily through property taxes and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1893
- HeadquartersIxelles, Belgium
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What DKPL does
The DeKalb Public Library (DKPL) is a municipal public library established in 1893 by the City Council of DeKalb, Illinois, and currently serving approximately 44,000 residents of DeKalb and surrounding areas. Operating from a 46,000+ square foot facility at 309 Oak Street — the historic Haish Memorial Library Building dedicated in 1931 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980 — the library functions as a civic hub providing free access to information, education, and cultural resources. The institution is governed by a 9-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Mayor of DeKalb and operated by approximately 49 staff (16 full-time and 33 part-time). It is a public-sector entity, not a venture-backed or publicly traded company.
DKPL's core offering centers on a 150,000+ item physical collection (books, CDs, DVDs, video games, periodicals) augmented by access to over 1,000,000 items via the PrairieCat interlibrary consortium across Illinois. Digital lending is delivered through multiple third-party platforms — Libby/Overdrive for e-books and audiobooks, Hoopla for streaming media, Biblioboard, TumbleBook Library, PressReader, and Kanopy — with library card authentication providing 24/7 access. Differentiated in-house offerings include the Library of Things lending program (Chromebooks, mobile hotspots, craft and home repair tools), STEM Kits for children, the 309 Creative Makerspace (Prusa 3D printers, Cricut vinyl cutters, 60-watt laser cutter), a professional Sound Studio, a media digitization station, and a 26-station KishHealth System public computer lab. Specialized services include Dolly Parton's Imagination Library mail-based book delivery for children birth-5, English language tutoring, exam proctoring, voter registration, free notary services, ADA accessibility services including home delivery, and Talking Book/Braille Service.
DKPL is funded primarily through municipal property tax revenue from DeKalb residents, supplemented by donations routed through the Friends of the DeKalb Public Library (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliated since 2005) and modest non-resident and corporate card fees. All core services are free; the library operates a fine-free policy on overdue materials. Customer segments span children (primary, birth through 5th grade), teens, adults, seniors, and businesses/nonprofits, with go-to-market executed through the physical location, digital platforms, community partnerships (School District 428, DeKalb and Afton Townships, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb County Community Foundation), and organic channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Flickr, email newsletter, website). Geographic scope is intentionally local — DeKalb city limits and adjacent townships — with no multi-state or international expansion posture.
DKPL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DKPL
- Legal name
- DeKalb Public Library
- Website
- https://dkpl.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1893
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The DeKalb Public Library (DKPL) is a municipal public library serving approximately 44,000 residents in DeKalb, Illinois. Founded in 1893, it provides free access to 150,000+ physical items, multiple digital lending platforms, a makerspace, sound studio, and community programs funded primarily through property taxes and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DKPL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Library & Learning Space Managed Operations (Circulation, Scheduling, Staffing) (EDAEALAL), Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF)
Keywords
Where DKPL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ixelles
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
DKPL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Public Funding (Tax Revenue): The library is funded primarily through tax revenues from residents and property owners within DeKalb's city limits. Residents within city limits are eligible for free library cards as they pay taxes to support the library.
- Donations and Friends Organization: The Friends of the DeKalb Public Library is a non-profit organization that raises money through book sales, membership fees, and donations. They fund various library programs and materials.
- Non-Resident Fee Cards: Residents of areas not served by a public library may obtain a card through payment of an annual fee based on the average cost to DeKalb taxpayers for library services.
- Corporate/Business Cards: Businesses or non-profit organizations with physical locations in DeKalb are eligible for corporate cards valid for one year.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Multi-year contract | Free DeKalb Resident Card |
| Subscription | Annual | Non-Resident Fee Card |
| Subscription | Annual | Corporate/Non-Profit Card |
| Freemium | Annual | Partnership Cards |
| Other | Monthly | Donations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
DKPL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DeKalb Public Library (DKPL) is a municipal public library in DeKalb, Illinois providing free access to a physical collection of 150,000+ books, CDs, DVDs, video games, and periodicals, plus digital lending of e-books, audiobooks, and streaming media through Libby, Hoopla, Biblioboard, TumbleBook, PressReader, Kanopy, and eReadIllinois. It operates specialized technology facilities including the 309 Creative makerspace (3D printers, laser cutter, vinyl cutters), a Sound Studio, and a Digitization Station, alongside community programs such as book clubs, STEM workshops, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, museum passes, voter registration, notary public, exam proctoring, and English language tutoring, all funded through municipal taxes and donations.
Product overview
DeKalb Public Library (DKPL) is a public library system serving the City of DeKalb, Illinois, with a collection of over 150,000 physical items. The library operates as a multi-service community hub offering both traditional and digital lending through multiple platforms. Physical collections include books, CDs, DVDs, video games, and periodicals. Digital services include eBook and eAudiobook lending via Libby (Overdrive), Hoopla, Biblioboard, TumbleBook Library, and PressReader. The library features specialized facilities including the 309 Creative makerspace (with 3D printers, vinyl cutters, laser cutter), a Sound Studio for recording, and a digitization station for converting old media. Additional services encompass the Library of Things (lending non-traditional items), STEM Kits for children, Museum and Attraction Passes, book clubs for all ages, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, meeting room reservations, notary services, exam proctoring, voter registration, and accessibility services. The library participates in the PrairieCat consortium for interlibrary loan access to over 1,000,000 items.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Physical Collection Lending Traditional library materials including books, CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, video games (Wii, Xbox, PlayStation), magazines, and periodicals available for in-person borrowing by DKPL cardholders, with over 150,000 physical items in the collection.
- Digital Lending (e-Books and e-Audiobooks) Free downloadable e-books and e-audiobooks available to DKPL cardholders through Libby (Overdrive), Hoopla, Biblioboard, TumbleBook Library, PressReader, Kanopy, and Palace Project/eReadIllinois with lending periods of 7, 14, or 21 days.
- Library of Things Lending program for non-traditional items including Chromebooks, mobile hotspots, gaming equipment, vinyl cutters, 3D printers, musical instruments, craft tools, and home repair equipment available for 3-week checkout to patrons 18+.
- STEM Kits Educational kits for children covering science experiments, robotics (Code & Go Robot Mouse, Makey Makey, Snap Circuits), mathematics, fossils, and nature exploration, available for checkout from the Children's Department.
- Museum and Attraction Passes Discounted or free admission passes to museums and attractions within an hour's drive of DeKalb, available through the Explore More Illinois pass reservation system and Museum Adventure Pass first-come, first-served program.
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Free monthly book mailing program that sends age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five living in DeKalb County, sponsored by community partners.
- 309 Creative Makerspace Makerspace facility equipped with Prusa i3 MK3S+, Prusa MINI+, and Prusa MK4 3D printers, Cricut Maker and Cricut Air Explore vinyl cutters, a 60-watt laser cutter, and related crafting equipment, with open hours including Tuesday evenings and Friday/Saturday mornings.
- Sound Studio Professional sound-resistant recording studio of approximately 80 square feet with a PC running Audacity and Reaper, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Audition, Media Encoder), Blue Yeti USB microphone, Yamaha keyboard, and webcam, requiring reservation and orientation.
- Digitization Station Equipment to convert slides, photographs, audio cassettes, and VHS tapes into digital files for preserving family memories and local history materials.
- KishHealth System Computer Lab Public computer lab with 26 high-speed internet computers and 4 offline computers with Microsoft Office software, plus printing, copying, and faxing services available to patrons with a valid library card.
- Remote Printing (Princh) Cloud-based wireless printing solution allowing patrons to send print jobs from mobile devices or laptops to the library printer using the Princh app or web portal.
- Book Clubs Various book discussion groups for adults (General Book Club, Senior Book Club, Suspense Book Club, Romance Book Club, Weird Wild and Wonderful Book Club), teens (Spine Crackers Graphic Novel Book Club), and children (Bookworm Barbs and Barb Book Club), typically meeting monthly.
- Meeting Spaces Reservable rooms including Adult Study Rooms, Bilder Family Meeting Room, Great Reading Room, Nancy D. Castle Collaboration Studio, Story Time & Activity Room, Teen Study Rooms, and Yusunas/Zimmerman Meeting Rooms available for community use.
- Voter Registration On-site voter registration services provided by trained library registrars, available walk-in or by appointment for DeKalb residents.
- Notary Public Free notarization services for most documents by appointment with library notaries on staff, available to DKPL cardholders.
- Exam Proctoring Limited exam proctoring services for online students and distance learners, requiring one-week advance reservation with library staff.
- English Language Tutoring Free one-on-one English language tutoring for adults covering conversation, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, coordinated through the library reference staff.
- Accessibility Services ADA-compliant services including large-type materials, Talking Book and Braille Service, home delivery for patrons with disabilities, ASL interpretation, and assistive technology (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver).
- PrairieCat Consortium Membership Library consortium membership providing DKPL patrons access to over 1,000,000 items from participating Illinois libraries through the shared catalog and interlibrary loan system.
- Friends of the Library Book Sales Semi-annual used book sales held in spring and fall featuring thousands of donated books, CDs, DVDs, and jigsaw puzzles, with year-round used items available on library shelves.
Quantifiable outcome
- Free monthly books for all DeKalb County children under 5 through Imagination Library partnership
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use DKPL
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
DKPL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration13 records
Feature5 records
DKPL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Dolly Parton's Imagination LibrarycoreLiteracy program partnership that mails free age-appropriate books monthly to children from birth to age 5 who live in DeKalb County. Sponsors include Friends of DKPL, Lehan's, BASICS DeKalb County, Altrusa International DeKalb County IL, and DeKalb County Community Foundation.
- DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership (DCNP)coreMembership-based program of the DeKalb County Community Foundation that works to increase capacity of nonprofit organizations through trainings, programming, resources, and professional development opportunities.
- DeKalb County Community FoundationcorePhilanthropic organization that partners with DKPL to support community initiatives including Dolly Parton's Imagination Library sponsorship.
- Friends of the DeKalb Public LibrarycoreNon-profit organization founded in 2005 that raises money through book sales, memberships, and donations. Has donated thousands of dollars for books, materials, and programs. Sponsors Imagination Library and various library programs.
- DeKalb Community School District 428coreSchool partnership providing free library cards to students and staff members. Cards are valid until the individual is no longer affiliated with the school district.
- DeKalb Chamber of CommerceminorProvides resources for businesses, advocates for business needs, and offers networking opportunities. Listed as a community resource on DKPL website.
- PrairieCat Library ConsortiumcoreLibrary consortium that shares resources among many Illinois libraries. DKPL patrons can borrow from and request items from other participating libraries. Handles hold notifications and interlibrary loans.
- Overdrive/LibbycoreDigital platform providing e-books and e-audiobooks to DKPL patrons. Lending periods of 7, 14, or 21 days with hold placement capabilities.
- HooplacoreDigital media service allowing patrons to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, e-books, comics, and TV shows with no waiting for immediate streaming or download.
- Explore More IllinoisminorProgram providing DKPL cardholders with discounts on admission, parking, or purchases at museums and attractions within an hour's drive of DeKalb.
- Museum Adventure PassminorPass program providing free or discounted admission to participating museums and attractions. Limited passes available first-come, first-served with one pass per family every seven days.
- DeKalb TownshipminorTownship partnership providing free library cards to DeKalb Township residents through township application process.
- Afton TownshipminorPartnership beginning August 1, 2026 providing free library cards to Afton Township residents with 60115 zip code.
- Lehan'sminorLocal business sponsor of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program in DeKalb County.
- BASICS DeKalb CountyminorCommunity organization sponsor of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program.
- Altrusa International DeKalb County ILminorService club sponsor of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program.
- Northern Illinois UniversityminorPartnership providing courtesy library cards for NIU students and faculty to access DKPL resources. NIU Founders Memorial Library provides reciprocal access.
- Gilder Lehrman Institute of American HistoryminorProvider of 'Becoming the United States' exhibit on display at DKPL from August 14 to September 11, 2026 as part of America 250 celebration.
- EBSCO Information ServicescoreProvides access to multiple research databases including Academic Search Elite, Business Source Elite, Consumer Health Complete, NoveList, and LearningExpress Library.
- ProQuest (Ancestry Library Edition)coreProvides in-library access to genealogical research tools covering worldwide censuses, vital records, immigration records, family histories, military records, and more.
- DeKalb County History CenterminorCreated March 1, 2018 as partnership between Sycamore History Museum and Joiner History Room. DKPL refers patrons for larger local history collection.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DKPL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Fountaindale Public Library District: Illinois public library district with comparable makerspace (3D printers, laser cutters, recording studios), digital collections, and community programming. A relevant Midwest peer for facilities and innovation programming.
- Naperville Public Library: Suburban Illinois public library with a comparable makerspace (3D printing, laser cutting), digital media lab, and broad community programming. Demonstrates a scalable version of DKPL's service model.
- Aurora Public Library (Illinois): Illinois public library system serving a larger nearby city with comparable offerings including 3D printing, makerspace equipment, and digital lending via Libby/Hoopla. Comparable to DKPL in operational model, though at a larger scale.
- Carnegie-Stout Public Library: Mid-sized municipal public library in the Midwest offering a comparable mix of traditional collections, makerspace services, and digital lending. Similar in scale and programming philosophy to DKPL.
- Gail Borden Public Library District: Illinois public library district offering makerspace facilities (including 3D printers and recording studios), digital lending, and STEM programming — closely comparable to DKPL's 309 Creative and Sound Studio offerings.
Direct peers
- Sycamore Public Library: Neighboring public library in DeKalb County, IL. Operates a similar small-city public library model serving a comparable population with traditional collections, digital services, and community programs — the most direct geographic peer.
Others
- Overdrive / Libby: Digital lending platform that DKPL integrates with via Libby for e-books and audiobooks. Not a peer in the traditional sense but a critical infrastructure provider for the library's digital services.
- Hoopla Digital: Digital media platform integrated with DKPL for instant streaming of music, audiobooks, video, and comics. A key ecosystem partner rather than a peer, but directly comparable to one of DKPL's core service offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Chicago Public Library: Large municipal library system with CPL Maker Lab, digital media labs, and YouMedia teen spaces. Broadly comparable to DKPL's makerspace and youth programming, but at vastly greater scale and city-wide footprint.
- New York Public Library: Iconic large-scale public library offering extensive makerspace programs, digital lending, and community spaces. Comparable only in service categories at vastly larger scale — useful as a benchmark for program sophistication.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
DKPL social profiles
Digital presenceDKPL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DKPL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
DKPL subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
DKPL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DKPL 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 DKPL
What does DKPL do?
DeKalb Public Library (DKPL) is a municipal public library in DeKalb, Illinois providing free access to a physical collection of 150,000+ books, CDs, DVDs, video games, and periodicals, plus digital lending of e-books, audiobooks, and streaming media through Libby, Hoopla, Biblioboard, TumbleBook, PressReader, Kanopy, and eReadIllinois. It operates specialized technology facilities including the 309 Creative makerspace (3D printers, laser cutter, vinyl cutters), a Sound Studio, and a Digitization Station, alongside community programs such as book clubs, STEM workshops, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, museum passes, voter registration, notary public, exam proctoring, and English language tutoring, all funded through municipal taxes and donations.
Is DKPL a public or private company?
DKPL is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was DKPL founded?
DKPL was founded in 1893. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DKPL based?
DKPL is headquartered in Ixelles, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does DKPL make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Public Funding (Tax Revenue) is the primary driver. The others are donations and Friends Organization, non-Resident Fee Cards and corporate/Business Cards.
Who are DKPL's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Fountaindale Public Library District, Naperville Public Library, Aurora Public Library (Illinois), Carnegie-Stout Public Library and Gail Borden Public Library District. Sycamore Public Library is listed as a direct peer. Others are Overdrive / Libby and Hoopla Digital. Broad incumbents are Chicago Public Library and New York Public Library.
Does DKPL have an API?
No public API is recorded for DKPL.
What industry is DKPL in?
DKPL's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management, with a secondary code of EDAEALAL, Library & Learning Space Managed Operations (Circulation, Scheduling, Staffing). Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 8200.