Haugesund folkebibliotek

What Haugesund folkebibliotek does

Haugesund folkebibliotek is a public municipal library operated by Haugesund kommune in Rogaland, Norway, serving all Norwegian residents through universal free access. It operates a main library in central Haugesund plus a branch at Haraldsvang skole, coordinates a network of 12 municipal school libraries, and has been collecting local historical material since 1923 — giving it one of Norway's deepest local history collections, including more than 1,000 shelf meters of preserved shipping archives (Rederiarkivene) and local newspaper runs from the 1890s to 2015.

Its service portfolio spans physical lending, an extensive digital library (e-books and audiobooks via Biblio, film streaming via Filmoteket and Filmbib, global newspapers and magazines via PressReader, multilingual content via Verdensbiblioteket, adapted literature via Tibi, legal research via Lovdata Pro, and the national Nasjonalbiblioteket digital library), self-service access (Meråpent, 07:00–23:00), and a dense events and programming calendar including author visits, Sildajazz concerts, reading circles, Språkkafé language practice, Bokstart early literacy, BibloBaby, Pappatreff for new fathers, a podcast studio, a gaming room, a code club run by Kode59 volunteers, and a seed library. Core technology is the Bibliofil library management system from Biblioteksystemer for cataloging and circulation, with the Bibliofil mobile app and a national digital library card (nasjonalt lånekort) for patron access; the website runs on Libry Content CMS, Bookup handles room bookings, and privacy-friendly Plausible Analytics handles web telemetry.

The library is entirely publicly funded through the Haugesund kommune municipal budget under the Norwegian Library Act, with no commercial revenue model. The only fees are incidental: replacement library cards (NOK 40), late-return reminders (NOK 45–75), and material replacement plus a NOK 160 administrative fee. Strategic direction is governed by the Handlingsplan 2025-2029 and reported annually via Statusrapport, with documented progress on active borrower growth, communications, and children/youth focus.

Name

Haugesund folkebibliotek

Legal name

Haugesund folkebibliotek

Website

https://haugesundbibliotek.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Haugesund folkebibliotek is a public municipal library in Haugesund, Norway, providing free physical lending, a comprehensive digital library, events, and community programming to all Norwegian residents. It maintains a 100-year-old local history collection and coordinates 12 municipal school libraries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Library lending
• Community programs
• Digital library access
• Cultural events

Headquarters

HQ city

Haugesund

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Haugesund folkebibliotek is a public municipal library providing free lending of physical and digital media (books, films, audiobooks, newspapers, magazines), community programming (author visits, reading circles, language cafés, children's events), and venue rentals (Rabinowitz-salen event hall, meeting rooms, podcast studio, gaming room). It also offers self-service access from 07:00–23:00, interlibrary loans via Biblioteksøk, home delivery for patrons with health limitations, and specialized literacy programs (Bokstart, Sommerles, school library coordination across 12 schools).

Product overview

Haugesund folkebibliotek operates as a public library system providing both physical and digital services. The digital library platform serves as the central hub for accessing e-books (via Biblio), audiobooks, streaming films (Filmoteket, Filmbib), digital newspapers (PressReader), multilingual content (Verdensbiblioteket), and accessible materials (Tibi). Physical services include traditional lending, inter-library loans (Biblioteksøk), reading circles, events, a gaming room, podcast studio, and self-service access (Meråpent). The library runs literacy campaigns including Sommerles and Les mer!, and offers specialized services for children (Bokstart, BibloBaby, Kodeklubb), schools (Skolebibliotek), and community integration (Språkkafé).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Digitalt bibliotek (Digital Library Platform) Umbrella platform providing access to e-books, audiobooks, streaming films, newspapers, magazines, and other digital resources, including Biblio, Filmoteket, Filmbib, PressReader, Verdensbiblioteket, Tibi, Lovdata Pro, and Nasjonalbibliotekets nettbibliotek.
• Bibliofil Mobile App Mobile application for accessing the digital library card, managing loans, reservations, and searching the catalog. Available on iOS and Android with Feide login for school users.
• Meråpent (Self-Service Library Access) Self-service library access from 07:00 to 23:00 daily. Patrons 15+ sign a contract and use library card + PIN at a card reader to access the library outside staffed hours. Available digitally for 18+ signup via ID-porten. Video-surveilled during self-service hours.
• Lesesirkler (Reading Circles) Reading circles including the general fiction reading circle 'Vi leser...' and the English fantasy circle 'Fantasy & Fables'. Led by librarians with books available for reservation.
• Litterært pusterom (Literary Breather) Shared reading group where a short story and poem are read aloud, followed by discussion. No preparation or literary expertise required. Based on the Shared Reading method.
• Språkkafé (Language Café) Weekly Norwegian language practice session where participants practice Norwegian through conversation, games, and activities. Includes a theater group (Språkkafeens teatergruppe) for advanced learners. Collaboration with Røde Kors Haugesund and Haugesund Teater.
• Podkaststudio (Podcast Studio) Recording studio available for loan with 4 microphones, Zoom recording unit/mixer, stands, pop filters. Free to use for library members with advance booking through Bookup. Requires an adult (18+) as responsible borrower.
• Gamingrom (Gaming Room) Gaming room with 5 gaming PCs and a Nintendo Switch, available during staffed hours. PC access requires age 9+. Maximum 60 minutes playtime per session, extendable by 10 minutes if no queue; maximum 90 minutes per day per borrower.
• Frøbibliotek (Seed Library) Seed lending library promoting sustainable gardening and local seed conservation. Users borrow seeds in spring, grow them, and return seeds in autumn. Developed in collaboration with Hagelaget i Haugesund.
• BibloBaby Informal gathering with songs, rhymes, and games for babies and their caregivers. Stimulates musicality, senses, and language development while providing social opportunities for parents.
• Skolebibliotek (School Library Coordination) Coordination services for 12 school libraries across Haugesund municipality, including guidance, a school library plan for quality improvement, and support for reading education, source criticism, and assignment writing.
• Bokstart og Lesekalenderen Early literacy program in collaboration with Helsestasjonen (health stations). Distributes Bokstart brochures and gift letters at 8-month and 2-year checkups, and Lesekalenderen at the 4-year checkup, to promote reading from infancy. Funded by Sparebankstiftelsen SR-bank.
• Lån av rom (Room Rental) Meeting room and event space rental including the 120-person Rabinowitz-salen (Rabinowitz Hall) with dedicated sound system, projector, and stage lighting, plus smaller rooms (LOTHE, Rederiarkivet, SALTVEIT) booked through Bookup. Prioritized for library's own programming.
• Kodeklubb (Code Club) Monthly coding and programming workshop for children 9 years and older, led by volunteers from local tech industry group Kode59. Open to all skill levels with no upper age limit.
• Pappatreff Weekly informal gathering for fathers on parental leave, held every Tuesday at 11:00. Includes activities on even weeks and free play on odd weeks. Organized in collaboration with Helsestasjonen (health station).
• Boken kommer (Home Delivery) Outreach service delivering books monthly (or by arrangement) to patrons who cannot visit the library due to health reasons. Book friends (bokvenner) deliver selected books to recipients' homes in collaboration with Haugesund Frivilligsentral.
• Arrangementer (Events Programming) Event programming including author visits, concerts (including Sildajazz performances), reading circles, language cafés, children's activities, and community gatherings. Features regular series like Friday lunch talks (Fredagslunsj).
• Les mer! podkasten (Podcast) Library podcast accompanying the 'Les mer!' reading motivation campaign, featuring interviews with reading role models about their reading habits and favorite books. Distributed via Spotify.
• Podkasten fra Haugesund Folkebibliotek (Podcast Channel) Podcast channel featuring literary discussions, event recordings, and library content including 'Den Lille Podkasten', 'Den lille klassiske', 'Musikkraddel', and '#På Scenen'. Distributed via Spotify.
• Digitalt nasjonalt lånekort (Digital National Library Card) Digital library card accessible via the Bibliofil app, usable at all Norwegian public libraries. Issued through registration at nb.bib.no with ID-porten login (BankID/MinID). Also enables self-service Meråpent access.
• Nyhetsbrev (Monthly Newsletter) Monthly email newsletter summarizing library program highlights and offerings, distributed via eepurl.com/hRH5nD.
• Biblioteksøk (Interlibrary Loan) National interlibrary search system (bibsok.no) enabling patrons to search catalogs of most Norwegian libraries and order books not available locally, with notification when ready for pickup at the local branch.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12 school libraries coordinated across the municipality
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Røde Kors HaugesundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Norwegian Language Café (Språkkafé), held weekly at the library. Røde Kors provides volunteers who help facilitate conversation practice for Norwegian language learners. The partnership supports integration of immigrants into Norwegian society through language practice and social connection.
• Hagelaget i HaugesundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Seed Library (Frøbibliotek). Hagelaget advises on seed selection, focusing on locally adapted seeds suited to the regional climate. The partnership supports the library's sustainability initiatives and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Helsestasjonen (Health Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-partner collaboration on Bokstart (early literacy) and Lesekalenderen (reading calendar). The health centre distributes Bokstart brochures and gift letters at 8-month and 2-year check-ups, and Lesekalenderen at the 4-year check-up. The library provides the physical books and reading materials.
• Kode59minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer group consisting of professionals from Haugesund's technology industry who run the Code Club (Kodeklubb) at the library. They bring real-world coding and programming expertise to teach children and adults on a monthly drop-in basis.
• Haugesund TeaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Språkkafé's Theatre Group (Språkkafeens teatergruppe), a weekly amateur theatre activity for adults with minority backgrounds. Haugesund Teater provides theatrical expertise and venue (kulturskolen) for the program.
• Haugesund FrivilligsentralcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the 'Boken kommer' home delivery service for patrons who cannot visit the library due to health reasons. Frivilligsentral provides volunteer 'book friends' (bokvenner) who deliver books to recipients' homes monthly.
• Haugesund LANkulturminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation that organizes the annual LAN@Biblioteket gaming event at Haugesund Folkebibliotek, typically held during the winter holiday break. They manage the gaming community event within the library's facilities.
• BiblioteksentralencoreTechnology or IntegrationDevelops and maintains the library's website (in collaboration with the library). Provides HTTPS security for the website. Also a provider of library materials and systems in the Norwegian library sector.
• Biblioteksystemer (Bibliofil)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvides the Bibliofil library management system (kjernesystem) used for all core library operations including patron management, cataloging, and circulation. Powers the Bibliofil app and Mine Sider/Mappa mi patron portal. Data processor agreement in place.
• Slekt og DataminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenealogy organization that holds monthly genealogy café (Slektskafé) sessions at the library, helping patrons with family history research. Sessions held at the library on various dates throughout the year.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Nasjonalbiblioteket (National Library of Norway): Norway's National Library, which operates Nasjonalbibliotekets nettbibliotek — directly integrated into Haugesund's digital stack. Acts as a national-level incumbent that municipal libraries depend on for digital content infrastructure.
• Deichman (Oslo Public Library): Norway's largest public library system, including the flagship Deichman Bjørvika and multiple branches. Same Bibliofil platform, but operates at significantly greater scale and budget with multiple specialized venues.

Others

• Biblioteksentralen: Core supplier of materials, library systems, and website infrastructure to Norwegian public libraries, including Haugesund folkebibliotek. Enabling technology and content provider rather than a competitor.

Direct peers

• Tromsø bibliotek: Public library serving Tromsø municipality in northern Norway. Comparable municipal library mandate and Bibliofil-based operations; useful for benchmarking services for diverse, geographically dispersed populations.
• Kristiansand folkebibliotek: Municipal public library in Kristiansand, Norway. Comparable scale and mandate, runs Bibliofil, Meråpent self-service, and similar community programs; relevant regional peer for benchmarking service breadth.
• Bergen offentlige bibliotek: Major Norwegian municipal public library serving Bergen. Runs the same Bibliofil infrastructure, Meråpent-style access, and community programming mix. Comparable in service model though larger in scale and population.
• Trondheim folkebibliotek: Public library serving Trondheim municipality. Same Bibliofil LMS, national library card integration, and equivalent programs (Bokstart, Språkkafé, Sommerles). Directly comparable in operating model and Norwegian public library context.
• Stavanger bibliotek: Public municipal library in neighboring Stavanger, Rogaland. Operates the same Bibliofil LMS, national library card system, and similar programming (Bokstart, Språkkafé, Sommerles). Directly comparable in mandate, scale tier, and service model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCT2wRq4Z-EFnPo2ui-ZKTMg
• Facebookfacebook.com/haugesundfolkebibliotek
• Instagraminstagram.com/haugbib
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/haugesund-folkebibliotek

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Haugesund folkebibliotek