Elizabethtown Public Library
Elizabethtown Public Library is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the Greater Elizabethtown Area of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, since 1925 with books, digital resources, fingerprinting, passport photos, a coffee-roasting social enterprise, and community programs for all ages.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1925
- HeadquartersElizabethtown, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Elizabethtown Public Library does
Elizabethtown Public Library is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit public library operating continuously since November 1925 from a single location at 10 South Market Street in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. It serves residents of the Greater Elizabethtown Area, including Elizabethtown Borough, Mount Joy, West Donegal, and Conoy Townships, with a horizontally segmented customer base spanning children, teens, adults, job seekers, and travelers. The library's core offering combines a physical and digital collection (books, audiobooks, eBooks via Libby, streaming video via Kanopy, and 60+ languages via Mango Languages) with fee-based support services including fingerprinting (IdentoGO partnership, ~1,000 monthly transactions), passport photos ($15), and print/copy/fax. Programming centers on the annual Summer Reading Program, the World Café cultural exploration series, the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten early literacy initiative, and community-coordinated events such as the Taste of Western Lancaster County fundraiser.
Revenue mechanics are diversified across municipal appropriations (~22% from local townships and boroughs), state and county funding (~17% combined from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Lancaster County), donations and ExtraGive giving (over $119,000 cumulative across more than 10 years), and self-generated earned income. The library runs two social enterprises: the Elizabethtown Coffee Company, which roasts beans on-site and offers specialty drinks, branded merchandise, and a 16-week Coffee Shares subscription coordinated with Lancaster Farm Fresh CSA pickup, and the Friends of the Library Bookstore, a volunteer-operated consignment shop twice-yearly book sales. The library is governed by a 7-9 member volunteer Board of Trustees under CEO Deborah Drury and operates within the Library System of Lancaster County consortium, which provides shared catalog, delivery, and research database infrastructure across independent public libraries in the county. February 2026 marked the suspension of passport acceptance services under Department of State action, a previously significant revenue stream now subject to pending restoration legislation.
Elizabethtown Public Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Elizabethtown Public Library
- Legal name
- Elizabethtown Public Library
- Website
- https://etownpubliclibrary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1925
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Elizabethtown Public Library is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the Greater Elizabethtown Area of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, since 1925 with books, digital resources, fingerprinting, passport photos, a coffee-roasting social enterprise, and community programs for all ages.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Elizabethtown Public Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (519210), 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 User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
Keywords
Where Elizabethtown Public Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Elizabethtown
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Elizabethtown Public Library 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
- Donations and Contributions: Primary funding source including annual appeal donations and contributions received throughout the year. Major donor recognition through ExtraGive event.
- Elizabethtown Coffee Company: Social enterprise coffee shop roasting beans on-site. All proceeds directly benefit library programs and services. Provides specialty beverages, whole bean sales, and branded merchandise.
- Passport Acceptance Services: Passport application acceptance services (currently suspended pending legislation). Previously generated significant revenue with hundreds of people applying annually.
- Friends of the Library Bookstore: Consignment bookstore operated by volunteers featuring gently used books and regional artisan works. Book sales held twice yearly.
- Government Funding: Approximately 17% from Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Lancaster County; approximately 22% from local municipalities (Elizabethtown Borough, Mount Joy, West Donegal, and Conoy Townships).
- Coffee Subscription (CSA): 16-week coffee subscription program offering full pound, half pound, and K-Cup compatible shares. Pickup coincides with CSA produce pickup at the library.
- Printing, Copying, and Faxing Services: Fee-based printing (15¢ B&W, 50¢ color), copying, and faxing services ($1 first page, 50¢ additional pages).
- Passport Photography: Passport photo service at $15 per person for new or renewal applications.
- Fingerprinting Services: FBI fingerprint background check services through IdentoGo partnership. Library receives a small fee per set of fingerprints collected.
- Taste of Western Lancaster County Event: Annual fundraising event featuring food and beverage vendors, live music. Proceeds benefit both the library and Elizabethtown Rotary Club.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Free library card for Lancaster County residents |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Printing services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Copy services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fax services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Passport photos |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Full Pound Coffee Share |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Half Pound Coffee Share |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | K-Cup Compatible Share |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Taste of Western Lancaster County tickets |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
Elizabethtown Public Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Elizabethtown Public Library provides free public library services to residents of the Greater Elizabethtown Area, including lending of physical and digital collections (books, movies, eBooks, audiobooks), research databases, public computer and WiFi access, and reference assistance. The library also delivers community educational programs (Summer Reading, World Café, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, storytimes), fee-based services (fingerprinting, passport photos, printing/copying/faxing), and operates a social enterprise coffee shop (Elizabethtown Coffee Company) whose proceeds support library operations.
Product overview
Elizabethtown Public Library is an independent, nonprofit public library offering a comprehensive range of traditional and digital library services. The core offering centers on its physical and digital collection accessible through the Lancaster County shared catalog system. Digital services include Libby for eBooks/eAudioBooks, Kanopy for streaming video, Mango Languages for language learning, and various research databases (Flipster, Mometrix, MyHeritage) provided through the Lynx consortium and Power Library. Supporting services include public computer and WiFi access, print/copy/fax services, fingerprinting through IdentoGo, and passport photo services. Social enterprises include Elizabethtown Coffee Company (in-house roasted coffee with proceeds supporting the library) and the Friends of the Library Bookstore. Programming includes the annual Summer Reading Program, World Café cultural exploration, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten literacy initiative, and special events like the Taste of Western Lancaster County food festival. The library is celebrating its centennial in November 2025, having operated continuously since 1925.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Library Collection Physical and digital materials including books, movies, audiobooks, magazines, and downloadable media available for checkout through the shared Lancaster County library catalog. Available to all Lancaster County residents with a free library card.
- eBooks & eAudio (Libby) Digital books and audiobooks accessible through the Libby app, integrated with the Lancaster Libraries system for seamless borrowing and reading. Available to library card holders.
- Kanopy Streaming Video Streaming video service offering curated movies, TV shows, and documentaries accessible with a library card through the Kanopy platform.
- Mango Languages Online language learning platform offering instruction in over 60 languages, including Shakespearean English, accessible with a library card.
- Online Resources & Databases Collection of research databases including Flipster (magazines), Mometrix (test prep for 1,500+ exams), MyHeritage (genealogy), and other specialized resources provided through the Lynx library consortium.
- Public Computer & WiFi Access Computers available for 60-minute sessions (180 minutes daily maximum) and free public WiFi accessible throughout the building and parking lot 24/7.
- Print, Copy, and Fax Services Document printing (15¢ monochrome, 50¢ color), copying, scanning (50¢ per scan), and faxing ($1 first page, 50¢ additional) services.
- Fingerprinting Services FBI fingerprint background checks through IdentoGo partnership for employment, volunteering, and other clearance requirements. Offered Monday-Friday 10 AM-2 PM, Saturday 9 AM-2 PM.
- Passport Photo Services Passport photos taken for new and renewal applications at $15 per person. Note: Passport acceptance services suspended as of February 13, 2026.
- Elizabethtown Coffee Company In-house roasted coffee shop operating as a social enterprise. Offers whole bean, ground coffee, K-cup pods, specialty drinks, and merchandise. Proceeds support library operations. Also serves as a CSA pickup location.
- Friends of the Library Bookstore Volunteer-run bookstore featuring gently used books, works from regional artisans, and handcrafted items. Consignment program for local artists. Hosts book sales twice yearly.
- Summer Reading Program Annual 10-week reading incentive program running June-August with age-based reading logs, prizes, and themed activities for all ages from newborns to adults.
- World Café Program Year-long exploration program selecting monthly destinations (regions, countries, bodies of water) featuring themed drinks, cultural education, and a passport tracking system with prize opportunities.
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Early literacy program encouraging families to read 1,000 books with children from birth to kindergarten. Features tracking sheets, milestones, and rewards including an apple on the literacy tree.
- Storytime Programs Age-specific story programs including Baby Time (newborn-17 months), Toddler Time (18-36 months), and Family Storytime for preschoolers and families, featuring stories, rhymes, songs, and crafts.
- Taste of Western Lancaster County Annual food and beverage tasting event bringing together regional vendors, breweries, wineries, and restaurants. Proceeds benefit the library and Elizabethtown Rotary Club. Held annually on the first Friday of February.
- Reference & Research Services Research assistance available in person, by phone, or through Power Library's live chat service. Includes access to non-fiction collections and online databases.
- Library Cards Free library cards for Lancaster County residents valid for 3 years. Pennsylvania residents with Access Pennsylvania cards receive free cards valid for 1 year. Non-residents pay $25 annually (waived for Elizabethtown College students).
- Coffee Subscription (CSA-style coffee shares) 16-week coffee subscription offering full pound, half pound, and K-Cup compatible shares. Orders placed via square.site shop with pickup at the library on Thursdays 3pm-7pm.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $119,000 raised through ExtraGive community giving over 10+ years
Companies that use Elizabethtown Public Library
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Elizabethtown Public Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature3 records
Elizabethtown Public Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Library System of Lancaster County (LSLC)coreCollaborative network of independent public libraries in Lancaster County sharing one catalog, card holder database, and delivery services. Enables materials from any county library to be delivered to Elizabethtown. Uses county and commonwealth funds to provide physical and digital item delivery, shared online research databases, museum pass program, and coordinated Summer Reading programs.
- Lancaster Farm Fresh CooperativecoreLocal cooperative connecting Lancaster County farmers with consumers. Library serves as a pickup location for CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares. Thursday pickup 3pm-7pm, coordinated with coffee subscription pickup.
- IdentoGocoreFBI-authorized channel for electronic fingerprint submission. Library provides physical location for fingerprinting services for employment, volunteer, and licensing background checks. Uses UEID registration system for appointment management.
- Power LibrarycoreStatewide Pennsylvania library resource providing 24/7 access to electronic databases, digital collections, and live chat reference services. Funded by LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) funds and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Rotary Club of ElizabethtownflagshipAnnual Taste of Western Lancaster County event co-hosted with library. Proceeds benefit both library programs and Rotary service projects. Rotary originally championed the 1961 library building campaign.
- Friends of Elizabethtown Public LibraryflagshipVolunteer organization running the bookstore inside the library, hosting book sales, and beautification efforts. Founded by volunteers who support the library financially and operationally.
- Elizabethtown CollegeminorStudents receive free annual library cards with valid student ID, supporting educational mission of the library.
- Masonic VillageminorProvides shuttle service from Masonic Village parking to library during holiday train display event in December.
- Local Food and Beverage VendorsminorTaste of Western Lancaster County event features dozens of local restaurants, breweries, wineries including Black Gryphon, McCleary's Public House, Tröegs Independent Brewing, Nissley Vineyards, and 25+ other vendors.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Elizabethtown Public Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Free Library of Philadelphia: Major independent public library system serving Philadelphia and surrounding Pennsylvania counties. Comparable as a Pennsylvania-based independent public library reliant on a mix of municipal, state, and private-donor funding similar to Elizabethtown's structure.
Emerging players
- Darien Library: Renowned small-town independent public library in Connecticut, frequently cited as an innovator in non-traditional programming and facility design. Comparable as an independent nonprofit that has pushed beyond traditional library services into community-hub models similar to Elizabethtown's coffee/social-enterprise approach.
- Anythink Libraries: Colorado-based library district known for rebrand-driven community engagement and innovative programming. Comparable as an independent public library system that has successfully expanded beyond traditional lending into community hub services.
Direct peers
- Ephrata Public Library: Another LSLC consortium member in Lancaster County serving a similar small-town population. Direct peer in operating model, funding mix, and program offerings.
- Manheim Township Public Library: Independent nonprofit public library in Lancaster County that is part of the same Library System of Lancaster County consortium. Directly comparable in scale, governance structure, and shared catalog/service delivery.
- Brentwood Public Library: Independent nonprofit public library of comparable small-community scale. Comparable as a 501(c)(3) governed by a volunteer board, serving a similar municipal funding mix and program portfolio.
- Lancaster Public Library: The largest public library in Lancaster County and a fellow LSLC consortium member. Directly comparable as an independent nonprofit public library serving the same county population with overlapping collections, programs, and the shared catalog system.
- Lititz Public Library: Independent nonprofit public library and LSLC consortium member in Lititz, PA. Direct peer comparable in size, governance, and community-oriented programming.
Broad incumbents
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Independent nonprofit library system serving Pittsburgh with broad programming, fundraising, and community-services portfolio. Comparable as an independently governed nonprofit public library that operates multiple locations and has substantial fundraising infrastructure similar in spirit to Elizabethtown's donor-driven model.
- Hennepin County Library: Large Minnesota library system recognized for innovation and digital-service breadth. Comparable in delivering Libby, Kanopy-style digital services through county-level consortium infrastructure analogous to the LSLC partnership Elizabethtown uses.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Elizabethtown Public Library social profiles
Digital presenceElizabethtown Public Library compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Elizabethtown Public Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Elizabethtown Public Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Elizabethtown Public Library subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Elizabethtown Public Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Elizabethtown Public 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 Elizabethtown Public Library
What does Elizabethtown Public Library do?
Elizabethtown Public Library provides free public library services to residents of the Greater Elizabethtown Area, including lending of physical and digital collections (books, movies, eBooks, audiobooks), research databases, public computer and WiFi access, and reference assistance. The library also delivers community educational programs (Summer Reading, World Café, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, storytimes), fee-based services (fingerprinting, passport photos, printing/copying/faxing), and operates a social enterprise coffee shop (Elizabethtown Coffee Company) whose proceeds support library operations.
Is Elizabethtown Public Library a public or private company?
Elizabethtown Public Library is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Elizabethtown Public Library founded?
Elizabethtown Public Library was founded in 1925. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Elizabethtown Public Library based?
Elizabethtown Public Library is headquartered in Elizabethtown, United States, in the North America region.
How does Elizabethtown Public Library make money?
Ten revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are elizabethtown Coffee Company, passport Acceptance Services, friends of the Library Bookstore, government Funding, coffee Subscription (CSA), printing, Copying, and Faxing Services, passport Photography, fingerprinting Services and taste of Western Lancaster County Event.
Who are Elizabethtown Public Library's main competitors?
Free Library of Philadelphia is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Darien Library and Anythink Libraries. Direct peers are Ephrata Public Library, Manheim Township Public Library, Brentwood Public Library, Lancaster Public Library and Lititz Public Library. Broad incumbents are Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Hennepin County Library.
Does Elizabethtown Public Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Elizabethtown Public Library.
What industry is Elizabethtown Public Library in?
Elizabethtown Public Library'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 EDAEAGAL, Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support). Its NAICS code is 519210 and its SIC code is 8200.