Lakewood Public Library
Lakewood Public Library is a municipal public library system founded in 1916 in Lakewood, Ohio, operating two physical branches that provide free physical and digital collections, research databases, youth and adult programming, and interlibrary loan access to Ohio residents.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1916
- HeadquartersLakewood, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Lakewood Public Library does
Lakewood Public Library is a municipal public library system serving Lakewood, Ohio, founded on May 19, 1916, and operated under the governance of the City of Lakewood. The system operates two physical branches: the Main Library at 15425 Detroit Avenue (an original Carnegie library) and the Madison Branch at 13229 Madison Avenue in the historic Birdtown district, established in 1924 to serve the growing immigrant population. All Ohio residents can register for a free library card, granting access to physical collections, 550+ periodicals, digital lending, and research databases. The library maintains no commercial revenue model: it is primarily funded through municipal taxation, supplemented by donations via the Friends of Lakewood Public Library and the Lakewood Public Library Foundation, plus nominal fees from printing services (25 free pages per day, then 10 cents per page; $2 flash drives; $2 replacement cards).
The library's technology stack centers on a Sirsi-powered online catalog, integrated with Ohio Digital Library and Hoopla Digital for eBooks, audiobooks, movies, and music. Research offerings include EBSCOhost, JSTOR, World Book, NoveList (K-8 and Plus), Ancestry Library Edition, Fold3, HeritageQuest, Rosetta Stone, Gale Legal Forms, Chilton Library, and Ohio Web Library. Public computing facilities include Wi-Fi, Chromebooks for checkout, and mobile printing via Princh with Envisionware payment processing. Since 1973 — as the first library in Cuyahoga County to join OCLC — the library has contributed to WorldCat and leveraged the network for interlibrary loan access to materials across 26,000 institutions in 170 countries.
The library's product and service portfolio spans youth programming (early literacy, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, story times, homework help, teen services, adapted programs through Connecting for Kids), teacher services (Teacher Library Cards with extended loan terms, weekly courier delivery, classroom book sets), adult programming (book clubs, Lakewood Public Cinema, Meet the Author events, Lakewood Public Cinema, Adult Summer Reading Club), community programming (Front Porch Concert Series with LakewoodAlive, exhibits), and practical services (homebound delivery, test proctoring, meeting room reservations). All core services are free, positioning the library as a publicly funded community knowledge and culture platform rather than a commercial enterprise.
Lakewood Public Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lakewood Public Library
- Legal name
- Lakewood Public Library
- Website
- https://lakewoodpubliclibrary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1916
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Lakewood Public Library is a municipal public library system founded in 1916 in Lakewood, Ohio, operating two physical branches that provide free physical and digital collections, research databases, youth and adult programming, and interlibrary loan access to Ohio residents.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lakewood Public Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192), Educational Services (611)
- 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 User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)
Keywords
Where Lakewood Public Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lakewood
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Lakewood Public Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Public Funding: As a public library system, Lakewood Public Library is primarily funded through public taxation and government allocations at the local level. This covers core operations, staffing, collections, and programming.
- Donations and Endowments: Support through Friends of Lakewood Public Library (volunteer organization raising funds through book sales) and Lakewood Public Library Foundation (helps acquire resources for excellence in community service). Some programs supported by endowments such as the Doug and June Fisher Endowment supporting NoveList.
- Printing Fees: Printing services generate nominal revenue: 25 pages free per day, 10 cents per additional page. Flash drives sold for $2.00.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Daily | Free daily printing quota |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Flash drive purchase |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Library card replacement |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Lakewood Public Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lakewood Public Library provides free public library services to all Ohio residents through two physical branches, a 24/7 online catalog, and extensive digital lending. Its offerings span physical and digital collections (books, 550+ periodicals, eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music), research databases (EBSCOhost, JSTOR, Ancestry, HeritageQuest), youth and adult programming (story times, book clubs, summer reading clubs, adapted programs, author events), teacher courier services, homebound delivery, interlibrary loan through OCLC/WorldCat, and public computing and printing facilities.
Product overview
Lakewood Public Library is a public library system serving Lakewood, Ohio with two physical locations (Main Library and Madison Branch). The library offers a unified platform of services centered around physical and digital collections, research resources, educational programming, and community engagement. Core offerings include the online library catalog (Sirsi), ebooks and digital media through Ohio Digital Library and Hoopla, over 550 periodical subscriptions, extensive research databases (EBSCOhost, JSTOR, genealogical resources), and interlibrary loan services via OCLC/WorldCat. Youth services encompass early literacy programs, adapted programs for children with developmental concerns, school-age activities, teen programming, and summer reading clubs. Educational support includes homework help, teacher services with courier delivery, test proctoring, and computer/printing services including mobile printing via Princh. Community programming features adult events (book clubs, film screenings, author events), art exhibits, virtual event archives, and seasonal program guides. All services are accessible with a free library card available to Ohio residents.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Madison Branch: Second location of Lakewood Public Library, located at 13229 Madison Avenue in the historic Birdtown district.
Products and services
- Library Catalog Online catalog system enabling patrons to search and discover the library's physical and digital collections including books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, and digital media.
- eBooks & Digital Media Collection Digital lending service providing access to ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and music through partnerships with Ohio Digital Library and Hoopla Digital, accessible with a library card.
- Periodicals Collection Physical and digital periodical subscription service offering over 550 periodicals covering science, news, entertainment, home, health, and other subjects.
- Interlibrary Loan Resource-sharing service enabling patrons to request materials not in the library's collection, borrowing from other libraries through OCLC and WorldCat networks spanning 26,000 institutions in 170 countries.
- Research Databases Collection of online research resources including EBSCOhost, JSTOR, genealogical databases (Ancestry, Fold3, HeritageQuest), legal forms, career tools, small business resources, and academic encyclopedias.
- Computers & Printing Services Public computer access, Wi-Fi, Chromebook lending, mobile printing via Princh app and email, and traditional printing services at both library locations.
- Library Card Services Library card registration, online account management, material renewal, late fee policies, and replacement card services for patrons.
- Children & Youth Services Comprehensive youth programming including homework help, early literacy initiatives, story time programs, school-age activities, teen services, and the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program.
- Adapted Programs Specialized programs for families with children twelve years or younger who have developmental concerns, including music therapy, adapted playgroup, and sensory programs delivered in partnership with Connecting for Kids.
- Teacher Services Educational support services including teacher library cards, loan courier delivery service, classroom materials requests, and class sets for Lakewood educators.
- Meeting Room Reservations Reservation system for small group work rooms and meeting spaces available at both Main Library and Madison Branch.
- Test Proctoring Free test proctoring service for students available by appointment at the Main Library with a valid library card.
- Homebound Delivery Library material delivery service for Lakewood residents unable to leave their homes, maintaining community connection for homebound individuals.
- Adult Events Programming Adult programming including book clubs, Lakewood Public Cinema film screenings, literary programs, Meet the Author events, and various special interest programming.
- Adult Summer Reading Club Annual summer reading program for adults running May through August, with prize drawings for participants who track reading through Beanstack.
- Children's & Teen Summer Reading Club Annual summer reading program for children and teens from birth through 12th grade, with weekly prize drawings and rewards for reading progress.
- 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Early literacy program encouraging families to read 1,000 books to children before kindergarten, with progress tracking through Beanstack and milestone rewards.
Quantifiable outcome
- Access to virtually every book in the world through Interlibrary Loan program
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Lakewood Public Library
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Lakewood Public Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration29 records
Feature4 records
Lakewood Public Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ohio Digital LibrarycoreHundreds of Ohio libraries share electronic collections of eBooks and audiobooks. Lakewood Public Library contributes to and participates in this statewide digital resource sharing, allowing patrons access to expanded digital holdings beyond physical shelf space.
- Hoopla DigitalcoreHoopla Digital provides a robust collection of movies, TV shows, music albums, comics, eBooks and audiobooks to Lakewood Public Library patrons through the digital platform.
- OCLC (Online Computer Library Center)coreMember since 1973 - first library in Cuyahoga County to join. OCLC is a pioneering computerized resource-sharing system connecting 26,000 institutions in 170 countries. Contributes to WorldCat, the world's largest network of library content and services.
- Connecting for KidscorePartnership providing hands-on programs, education and support for families with children twelve years old or younger who have developmental concerns. Connecting for Kids serves all families including children with and without formal diagnoses.
- LakewoodAlivecoreCo-presenter of the Front Porch Concert Series - a free summer concert series held on the front steps of the Main Library. LakewoodAlive organizes the series while the Library hosts, promoting community entertainment and engagement.
- Cuyahoga Arts & CultureminorEncore sponsor of the Front Porch Concert Series, supporting arts programming at the Library through cultural funding.
- Northlake ManagementminorTitle sponsor of the Front Porch Concert Series, providing major funding for the free summer concert series.
- EBSCOhostcoreProvides access to thousands of magazines, newspapers and peer-reviewed journals through Ohio Web Library. Used for casual reading and scholarly research.
- JSTORcoreProvides access to over twelve million journal articles, books, images, and primary sources in humanities, arts, sciences, social sciences and business. Available from home or within the Library.
- League of Women Voters - Lakewood ChapterminorCollaborated on 'Dealing With Disinformation in a Democracy' event addressing important issues of disinformation in democratic society and how citizens can discern and protect themselves from misinformation.
- NOPECminorEncore sponsor of the Front Porch Concert Series.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lakewood Public Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Akron-Summit County Public Library: Regional public library system serving Akron and Summit County, Ohio. Comparable municipal funding model, multi-branch operations, and integration with Ohio Digital Library and statewide digital infrastructure.
- Dayton Metro Library: Regional Ohio library system serving Montgomery County with comparable municipal governance and statewide digital participation, though at larger geographic and budget scale.
- Columbus Metropolitan Library: Large Ohio metropolitan public library system serving Franklin County. Comparable service offerings and statewide digital participation, but at materially larger scale and budget.
- Cleveland Public Library: Larger urban public library system serving Cleveland, Ohio. Operates a multi-branch system with deep collections and serves as the statewide research reference. Directly comparable as a municipal Ohio public library serving an adjacent urban community.
Direct peers
- Cuyahoga County Public Library: County-wide public library system operating 27 branches across Cuyahoga County, including several in the Lakewood area. Most direct functional peer — competes for the same residents' attention and shares OCLC and statewide digital infrastructure.
- Westlake Porter Public Library: Suburban Cleveland-area public library serving Westlake, Ohio. Similar municipal scale, programming breadth, and Cuyahoga County operational context to Lakewood.
- Rocky River Public Library: Adjacent suburban Cleveland-area public library of similar size serving Rocky River, Ohio. Closely comparable footprint, hours, and program mix for a small-city Ohio public library.
- Shaker Heights Public Library: Inner-ring Cleveland suburb public library of similar municipal size. Comparable programs, community partnerships, and small-system operating model.
Others
- OCLC (Online Computer Library Center): Library cooperative and technology provider that operates WorldCat and resource-sharing infrastructure. Lakewood has been a member since 1973; OCLC is the underlying platform enabling much of Lakewood's interlibrary loan and cataloging capability.
- Ohio Digital Library (Ohio Library and Information Network / OhioNET): Statewide consortium of Ohio libraries sharing eBook and audiobook collections. Lakewood is a participating member; this is the platform enabling statewide digital lending for Lakewood patrons.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Lakewood Public Library social profiles
Digital presenceLakewood Public Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lakewood Public Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Lakewood Public Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lakewood 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 Lakewood Public Library
What does Lakewood Public Library do?
Lakewood Public Library provides free public library services to all Ohio residents through two physical branches, a 24/7 online catalog, and extensive digital lending. Its offerings span physical and digital collections (books, 550+ periodicals, eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music), research databases (EBSCOhost, JSTOR, Ancestry, HeritageQuest), youth and adult programming (story times, book clubs, summer reading clubs, adapted programs, author events), teacher courier services, homebound delivery, interlibrary loan through OCLC/WorldCat, and public computing and printing facilities.
Is Lakewood Public Library a public or private company?
Lakewood Public Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Lakewood Public Library founded?
Lakewood Public Library was founded in 1916. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lakewood Public Library based?
Lakewood Public Library is headquartered in Lakewood, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lakewood Public Library make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Public Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Endowments and printing Fees.
Who are Lakewood Public Library's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Akron-Summit County Public Library, Dayton Metro Library, Columbus Metropolitan Library and Cleveland Public Library. Direct peers are Cuyahoga County Public Library, Westlake Porter Public Library, Rocky River Public Library and Shaker Heights Public Library. Others are OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) and Ohio Digital Library (Ohio Library and Information Network / OhioNET).
Does Lakewood Public Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lakewood Public Library.
What industry is Lakewood Public Library in?
Lakewood 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 BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services. Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 8200.