What Fayetteville Free Library does

The Fayetteville Free Library (FFL) is a chartered Free Association public library located at 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville, NY, serving Onondaga County residents. Established under the New York State Education Department, FFL operates as a nonprofit institution governed by a Board of Trustees and staffed by approximately 14 full-time and part-time employees across administration, IT/Makerspace, Adult Services, Youth Services, and Circulation. The library delivers free, open access to physical and digital books, media, and educational resources through the Polaris catalog system integrated with the Onondaga County Public Library network, with FFL cards valid at any public library in the county.

Core offerings span a wide service surface: physical and digital lending via Hoopla, OverDrive/Libby, and Kanopy; a Makerspace equipped with professional-grade fabrication tools (8 FlashForge Adventurer 5M 3D printers, Epilog laser cutter, Graphtec vinyl cutter, Cricut, Singer sewing machines, and design software including SolidWorks, SketchUp, Blender, Tinkercad, Inkscape, CorelDraw, and FlashPrint); tech tutoring through LiteracyCNY volunteers; free notary services; a Library of Things lending tools/instruments/passes; research databases (Ancestry Library, Britannica, Gale, NoveList Plus); language learning (Mango, Duolingo); online tutoring (Brainfuse); STEAM Summer Camps; room reservations; home delivery for eligible homebound patrons; and a local history archive dating to 1840. Dedicated programs serve Children, Teens, and Adults/Seniors with age-specific spaces, advisory boards, and event programming including the annual Fayetteville Art Festival.

FFL's business model is fundamentally a publicly funded, tax-based institution with supplemental revenue from donations, annual giving campaigns, and nominal usage fees (printing at $0.10–$0.30/page, 3D printing at $0.05/gram, faxing at $1/page, and STEAM Camp tuition at $65/session for grades 3–6, with STEAM Camp Jr. offered free). The library pursues community-led and event-driven go-to-market motions through in-person visits, online resources, home delivery, and partnerships with local schools, nonprofits, and businesses. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the institution does not pursue venture or institutional investment.

Name

Fayetteville Free Library

Legal name

Fayetteville Free Library

Website

https://fflib.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1906

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fayetteville Free Library is a chartered nonprofit public library in Fayetteville, NY, serving Onondaga County residents with free access to physical and digital media, a professional-grade Makerspace, STEAM camps, tutoring, and community programming, funded primarily by tax appropriations and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Educational Games & Kids/Families Game Studios (MPAFAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Game Development (Unity, Unreal, 2D/3D) (EDAMACAE), Children’s Activity & Practice Books (Workbooks, Puzzles, Handwriting) (EDAGAIAE)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community resource center
• Makerspace fabrication
• Digital media lending
• Educational programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Fayetteville, NY

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, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Funding (Tax-based): As a chartered Free Association Library in New York State, the primary funding comes from public funding/tax revenues. The library is governed by a Board of Trustees and operates as a nonprofit public institution.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Annual Giving Campaign, material donations for book sales, and special fundraising events. Donation examples: $15 for picture books, $60 for audiobooks, $100 for robots, $300 for concerts.
3. Printing and Reproduction Services: Minimal fees for printing ($0.10/page B&W, $0.30/page color), 3D printing ($0.05/gram), faxing ($1/page), and Makerspace materials. First 5 pages of B&W printing free per day.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Fayetteville Free Library (FFL) is a chartered public Free Association Library providing free access to physical and digital collections, educational programming, and community resources to Onondaga County residents. Core offerings include library card-based borrowing of books and media, a Makerspace with 3D printers and laser cutters, digital content lending via Hoopla, OverDrive/Libby, and Kanopy, tech tutoring, notary services, research databases, and age-specific programming for children, teens, and adults.

Product overview

Fayetteville Free Library is a community public library offering a unified service model combining physical and digital resource access. The core offerings include library card-based borrowing of physical materials (books, DVDs, CDs, video games) through the Polaris catalog system, digital media lending via Hoopla, OverDrive/Libby, and Kanopy, and specialized services such as a Makerspace with 3D printing/laser cutting equipment, tech tutoring, notary services, and a Library of Things lending program. Supporting services include research databases (Ancestry, Britannica, Gale), language learning platforms (Mango, Duolingo), online tutoring (Brainfuse), summer reading programs, STEAM camps, room reservations, home delivery for eligible patrons, and local history archives. The library serves all ages through dedicated Kids, Teens, and Adults programming, with events like the annual Fayetteville Art Festival and book clubs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Card & Catalog Access Free library cards for Onondaga County residents providing access to physical materials, holds, renewals, and the Polaris online catalog system for browsing and managing library accounts.
• Makerspace Self-led fabrication and making space equipped with 8 FlashForge Adventurer 5M 3D printers, Epilog Laser cutter, Graphtec vinyl cutter, Cricut machines, Singer sewing machines, button maker, laminator, and design software (SolidWorks, SketchUp, Blender, Tinkercad, Inkscape, CorelDraw, FlashPrint). Available to library cardholders with material fees for finished items.
• Digital Media Lending Digital content lending platform offering eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, streaming movies/TV, music albums, and online courses through partnerships with Hoopla, OverDrive/Libby, and Kanopy. Includes access limits per card.
• Tech Tutoring One-on-one technology help appointments covering desktop/laptop/tablet/smartphone use, email, WiFi, Microsoft Office/Google Suite, job applications, social media, and library digital services. Provided by trained Digital Literacy Volunteers in 45-minute sessions.
• Notary Services Free notary public service for car/truck sales, mortgage closing documents, title transfers, deeds, school/college forms, health physicals, medical directives, affidavits, and travel permission.
• Print, Copy, Scan Services Wireless printing ($0.10/page B&W, $0.30/page color with first 5 pages free), copying, scanning to email/flash drive (free), and faxing ($1/page). Includes ePrintIt wireless portal.
• Library of Things Loan program for tools, musical instruments, STEM education items, museum/zoo/park passes, and digitization equipment including robots (Bee Bots, Dash & Dot), guitars, VHS-to-digital converters, and Empire Passes.
• Home Delivery Service Contactless material delivery service for eligible residents including seniors over 65, new parents, and those with short or long-term illness or disability in the service area.
• Local History Collection Local history archive including photographs, documents, microfilmed newspapers (1840-present), Fayetteville Schools yearbooks, archives of local organizations, and digitization services. Includes Arts & Crafts Memorial Collection.
• Room Reservations Meeting room booking service with 2-hour time limit, 2 reservations per week maximum, and up to 2 months advance booking. Laptop and projector available for Community Rooms A, B, and AB.
• Databases & Research Tools Access to research databases including Ancestry Library Edition, Britannica (Academic, School, Escolar), Gale databases (OneFile, in Context, Academic OneFile, specialized databases), NoveList Plus, BookBrowse, LinkedIn Learning, and 50+ specialized databases covering genealogy, science, and more.
• Language Learning Platforms Language learning access via Mango Languages (75+ languages) and Duolingo (30+ languages), with downloadable lessons for offline access via web browser and mobile apps.
• Brainfuse Online Tutoring Live online tutoring platform providing homework help, writing assistance, skill building, and language learning help, plus resume assistance and career resources for adult learners.
• STEAM Camps Summer camps for students entering grades 1-6 featuring robotics, engineering, coding, and hands-on STEM activities. STEAM Camp Jr. (grades 1-2) is free; STEAM Camp (grades 3-6) is $65 per session.
• Summer Reading Challenge Annual reading incentive program with weekly prize pickups and raffle entries tracked through the Beanstack app or paper logs, running from July 6 to August 16.
• Book Clubs Monthly book club offerings including the FFL Meet the Author Book Club with live author Q&A (75+ authors engaged) and Well Read Wednesday Book Club for discussing bestsellers.
• 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Early literacy program encouraging families to read 1000 books before kindergarten with tracking via Beanstack app or paper forms and milestone prizes.
• Youth Services (Kids & Teens) Age-specific programming including storytimes, Children's Room with 6,000+ picture books, Teen Space with computer lab, Teen Advisory Board, and volunteer opportunities for school-age youth.
• Personalized Reading Lists Custom book recommendation service where librarians create personalized book lists or bundles based on patron interests, reading level, and genre preferences.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75+ authors connected with community through virtual author visits
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration33 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Operation Northern ComfortminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2024Staff member Laurel Flanagan serves as chair of this 100% volunteer nonprofit founded in 2005. Library serves as collection point for hurricane relief supplies. Organization has completed 67 service trips.
• LiteracyCNY Digital Literacy VolunteerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2024Partnership with LiteracyCNY provides 45-minute one-on-one tech tutoring appointments through trained Digital Literacy Volunteers, helping patrons with devices, email, WiFi, job applications, and software skills.
• Lauren Ruffrage (Speech-Language Pathologist)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 July 2023Partners with Lauren Ruffrage, M.S. CCC SLP, a Speech-Language Pathologist and Feeding Specialist, to facilitate the New Parents & Caregivers Series. Provides expert guidance on early childhood development topics including feeding, pelvic floor health, and car seat safety.
• SECNY FCU (Financial Literacy Center)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SECNY FCU and Banzai to provide Financial Literacy Center with in-depth lessons on retirement, savings, loans, and financial topics, plus calculators and virtual coaching.
• Arts & Crafts Society of Central New York (ACSCNY)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Arts & Crafts Memorial Collection honoring Mary Ann Smith and Bruce Manwaring. Society contributed a Harvey Ellis-style bookcase to house the collection in the Reading Room.
• Local Schools and School DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReaches new audiences by hosting free classes, providing library tours, school visits, class programs, and customized educational sessions for local preschool through high school programs.
• Local Businesses and NonprofitscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnerships with small businesses and nonprofits for event sponsorship, Summer Reading program support, and community event co-hosting including the Fayetteville Art Festival.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• New York Public Library: One of the largest public library systems in the US, offering free books, digital lending, research databases, classes, and programming. Operates broadly in the same space with overlapping capabilities but at far greater scale and geographic reach than FFL.
• Chicago Public Library: Major urban public library system with free access to books, digital media, learning platforms, and STEAM programming including maker-oriented initiatives. Comparable service mix at substantially larger scale and broader geographic reach than FFL.
• Brooklyn Public Library: Large NYC-area public library system delivering free borrowing, digital media, educational programming, and community services. Overlaps substantively with FFL's offerings but serves a much larger and more diverse urban population.

Direct peers

• Salt Lake City Public Library: Urban public library system operating a MakerSpace with 3D printers and design tools. Comparable on free-access model, Makerspace offerings, and broad STEAM/creative programming for a community of all ages.
• Hennepin County Library: Large suburban/county public library system known for its MakerSpaces and creative learning labs across branches. Comparable on community-librarianship model and depth of fabrication/STEAM programming, though operating at larger geographic scale.
• Chattanooga Public Library: Public library operating the well-known 4th Floor makerspace with 3D printers, laser cutters, and creative tools. Highly comparable as a community library that has built a distinct Makerspace/STEAM identity similar to FFL.
• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Community-focused public library system offering a Hive MakerSpace and STEAM education programming. Directly comparable on free public service model, hands-on maker offerings, and library-as-community-hub positioning.
• Westport Library: Community public library of comparable scale known for innovation and a flagship Makerspace. Directly comparable on mission, free-access model, and emphasis on creative fabrication and STEAM programming for residents.

Others

• Mango Languages: Commercial language-learning platform integrated into FFL's digital offerings (75+ languages via web and mobile). Functions as an enabling vendor rather than a direct competitor, illustrating the broader ed-tech ecosystem FFL depends on for digital programming.
• OverDrive: Digital content lending platform (Libby app) that powers eBook, eAudiobook, and eMagazine borrowing for FFL cardholders via the Onondaga County Public Library system. An infrastructure/enabling partner in the library's digital service stack rather than a competing institution.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/fayettevillelib?lang=en
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfUxtQnHP2VgiltM-5tSqTQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/fayfreelibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/fayettevillelib
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fayetteville-free-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 Fayetteville Free Library