Kasson Public Library

What Kasson Public Library does

Kasson Public Library is a single-location municipal public library serving the residents of Kasson, Mantorville, and surrounding areas in Dodge County, Minnesota, with a service-area population of approximately 12,012. Established in 1899 by ten civic-minded residents donating ten books and formalized as an official public library in 1910, it has operated continuously for 68+ years and moved to its current purpose-built facility at 607 1st Street NW in 2016. The library operates with a five-person staff led by Library Director David Greenfield and is supported by the Friends of the Kasson Public Library volunteer organization.

The library's core offering is a blended physical and digital collection plus a suite of community services. Physical assets include books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, 11 public computer stations, free WiFi, a 3D printer, a low-vision reading table, a community meeting room, and a children's makerspace. Digital services run through the SELCO regional system — LibDiscovery catalog, Libby/Overdrive eBooks and eAudiobooks, the Aspen LIDA mobile app, plus research databases such as ELM, Consumer Reports, and the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub. Specialized services include exam proctoring, a delivery service, book kits with puppets, the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten early-literacy program, and an annual Summer Reading Program. In 2026 the library added Tonies audio players and adopted a fine-free policy.

The library is a tax-funded nonprofit municipal entity; it does not sell services or generate commercial revenue. Funding derives from City of Kasson and Dodge County municipal appropriations, supplemented by grants (Dollar General Literacy Foundation, SELCO and MN's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund) and minimal fee income from printing, copying, fax, and lost/damaged materials. Go-to-market is community-led: free membership to all residents, programming marketed through Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, email newsletters, and a community calendar, with operational partnerships spanning 4H, Dodge County Master Gardeners, STEAM Learning Station, Kasson-Mantorville Community Education, Prairie Meadows Senior Living, and the University of Minnesota Libraries.

Name

Kasson Public Library

Legal name

Kasson Public Library

Website

https://kasson.lib.mn.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kasson Public Library is a municipal public library serving approximately 12,012 residents of Kasson, Mantorville, and surrounding Dodge County, Minnesota, offering free physical and digital collections, children's programming, makerspace, and community meeting space through a five-person staff and SELCO regional membership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Library & Education Audiobook Distribution (Public Libraries, Schools, Academic) (MPAJAIAE)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital lending
• Community programming
• Library catalog access
• Interlibrary loan

Headquarters

HQ city

Kasson

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, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Municipal Funding: Primarily funded through city of Kasson municipal taxes and Dodge County. The library moved to its present location in 2016 indicating ongoing municipal investment.
2. Grants and Donations: Receives grants from organizations like Dollar General Literacy Foundation (2026 summer reading grant), and support from SELCO and MN's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund for programming.
3. Fee-based Services: Minimal fees for printing ($0.25/page black and white), photocopying ($0.25/page), fax ($0.75/page), lost or damaged materials at replacement cost. Library is now Fine Free with no late/overdue fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kasson Public Library is a municipal public library offering free access to physical collections (books, audiobooks, music CDs, DVDs) and digital lending (eBooks, eAudiobooks via Libby/Overdrive), along with 11 public computer stations, free WiFi, a Makerspace, 3D printing, exam proctoring, and community programming for all ages. Library services are free to residents of Kasson, Mantorville, and surrounding Dodge County areas, with membership in the SELCO regional library system expanding access to 88 affiliated libraries.

Product overview

Kasson Public Library is a single-location public library offering a unified mix of physical and digital resources. Core offerings include physical collections (books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs), 11 public computer stations, free WiFi, community meeting space, makerspace, and specialized services like low-vision reading equipment, 3D printing, exam proctoring, and delivery services. Digital services include Libby/Overdrive eBook/eAudiobook lending, mobile app access (Aspen LIDA), and access to research databases. Children's programming features the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten initiative, book kits with puppets, and summer reading programs. The library is part of the SELCO regional system, providing access to 88 affiliated libraries. Recent additions include Tonies audio systems and fine-free policies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Friends of the Kasson Public Library: An active group of volunteers promoting public library programs and assisting in the improvement of library services. Holds quarterly meetings and three book sales yearly to support the library.

Products and services

• Physical Library Collection Physical books, audiobooks, music CDs, and DVDs available for checkout with standard loan periods, available to all library cardholders in the Kasson-Mantorville service area.
• Public Computer Access Six adult, three teen, and two children's computer stations for patron use with printing services at $0.25 per page, providing broadband internet access to bridge the local digital divide.
• Wireless Internet Free wireless internet access available throughout the library building for patrons.
• Community Room Meeting space available to non-profit, educational, and civic groups for gatherings with advance application required.
• Low Vision Reading Table Vision-assistive equipment that enlarges text onto a large monitor screen for visually impaired patrons.
• Printing, Photocopying & Fax Services Black and white printing and photocopying at $0.25 per page and fax services at $0.75 per page for patrons.
• 3D Printing Public 3D printing service available with the library's 3D printer, governed by a published usage policy.
• Book Clubs Five adult book clubs meeting monthly with independent book selections and rotating leadership for community members.
• 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Early literacy program encouraging parents to read 1,000 books to children before kindergarten with prize milestones.
• KM Yearbook Project Digitized local yearbooks from 1950 to 2017 available for public access, preserving Kasson-Mantorville community history.
• Delivery Service Library materials delivery service to patrons with documented policies and an application process.
• Exam Proctoring Exam proctoring service for students and professionals with scheduled appointments at the library.
• SELCO Libraries Mobile App Mobile application for accessing the library catalog, managing checkouts, holds, and reading history. Available for Apple and Android devices.
• Book Kits with Puppets Children's reading kits combining books with puppets and plush characters that correspond to story themes.
• Makerspace Creative Makerspace area hosting workshops including Lego building sessions and STEAM learning activities.
• Summer Reading Program Annual summer reading initiative with logs and prizes encouraging continued reading during summer months.
• eBooks & eAudiobooks (Libby/Overdrive) Digital content lending platform providing free eBooks and eAudiobooks for download via the Libby app.
• Database Access Free research databases including ELM, Consumer Reports, Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub, AskMN, genealogy resources, and academic search tools.
• Tonies Audio System Audio storytelling checkout system for children, with a 14-day loan period allowing 1 Toniebox and up to 10 Tonies per household.

Quantifiable outcome

• Service area covers approximately 12,012 residents

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SELCO Regional Library SystemcoreTechnology or IntegrationKasson Public Library is a member of the SELCO regional library system. Members have access to items and materials from all 88 public and school libraries in the SELCO system. The library became fully automated in 1987 by joining SELCO. The system provides the library catalog (LibDiscovery), Libby/Overdrive digital lending, mobile app, and online resources.
• Friends of the Kasson Public LibrarycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorActive volunteer group promoting library programs and assisting in improvement of library services. Holds quarterly meetings and three book sales yearly to support the library. Annual membership helps support reading enrichment programs for young people. Website: fotkpl.com, Email: [email protected]
• University of Minnesota LibrariesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSELCO partnered with University of Minnesota Libraries to provide the Seedswomen of Minneapolis exhibit at the library from May 26 to June 18.
• Friends of the Library (Book Sale)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDonated items not needed by the library are given to Friends of the Library for their quarterly book sales.
• The Jolly PopsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusical performance group providing entertainment at Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party, courtesy of SELCO and MN's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
• 4H StudentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvide animal experiences at library events such as the Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party.
• Prairie Meadows Senior LivingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free food at library events such as the Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party.
• Dodge County Master GardenersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides garden-related programming at the library including presentations on starting gardens, fairy gardens, community gardens, and healing through nature.
• STEAM Learning StationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with library to provide makerspace programming including Lego Maker Events in the library's makerspace.
• Kasson-Mantorville Community EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partner in the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program with Kasson Public Library.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Dodge Center Public Library: Very small public library serving Dodge Center, MN — within Dodge County alongside Kasson. Comparable as a municipal public library serving an overlapping small-town service area.
• Rochester Public Library: The largest public library in the SELCO regional system, also serving southeastern Minnesota. Directly comparable as a public library member of the same SELCO consortium, sharing the LibDiscovery catalog, Libby/Overdrive digital lending, and interlibrary loan network.
• Byron Public Library: Small public library in the Rochester metro area and SELCO region. Highly comparable as a small, single-location public library serving a similarly modest population in the same regional library system.
• Owatonna Public Library: Small-to-mid-sized public library in southern Minnesota serving a comparable small-city population. Comparable as a free, municipally funded public library offering physical and digital collections, children's programming, and community meeting space.
• Faribault Public Library: Municipal public library serving a similar-sized southern Minnesota community. Directly comparable as a free public library offering physical collections, digital lending, children's and adult programming, and community-room services.
• Stewartville Public Library: Small municipal public library in Olmsted County, also a SELCO member. Comparable as a similarly sized single-location public library serving a small southeastern Minnesota community.
• Mantorville Public Library: Small public library in Mantorville, MN, within Dodge County. Directly comparable as a tiny municipal public library serving a small population in the same region as Kasson.

Others

• Minnesota Department of Education — State Library Services: The Minnesota state library agency that supports public libraries statewide, including interlibrary programs like ELM and MNLINK that Kasson integrates with. Comparable as the broader state-level support ecosystem for small Minnesota public libraries.
• OverDrive / Libby: Digital lending platform provider powering Kasson's eBook and eAudiobook distribution. Comparable as the primary technology vendor enabling the library's digital collection, and as the de facto standard across U.S. public libraries.
• SELCO (Southeastern Libraries Cooperating): The regional multi-type library cooperative of which Kasson is a member. Comparable as the infrastructure provider — shared catalog (LibDiscovery), digital lending, mobile app, and interlibrary delivery — that defines much of Kasson's service capability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KassonLibrary
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCOonsArEjuFTM2JtJkX9cgw
• Facebookfacebook.com/OfficialKassonPublicLibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/kassonpubliclibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kasson-public-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Kasson Public Library