What Idaho Commission for Libraries does

The Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) is a state government agency headquartered at 325 W State St., Boise, Idaho, established under the authority of the Idaho State Legislature and reporting through a Board of Library Commissioners. Its mission is to assist Idaho libraries in building the capacity to better serve their communities, serving public, academic, school, and special libraries throughout the state as well as all Idaho residents who use library services.

ICfL operates a portfolio of shared digital infrastructure that underpins statewide library service delivery. This includes the LiLI (Libraries in Idaho) consortium databases providing shared research access, the STACKS digital repository for institutional collections, the IDEA Idaho Digital E-Book Alliance for shared digital book collections, ShareIdaho for interlibrary loan and resource sharing, eBranch website hosting solutions for individual libraries, and the Talking Book Service for patrons with visual, physical, or print disabilities. Around this infrastructure, ICfL delivers programs for academic, school, youth, adult, and bicultural services, plus digital equity initiatives (Digital Access for All Idahoans Plan, Idaho Digital Skills), telehealth access, professional development (Continuing Education, LITT, SPLAT), and grant administration including E-Rate and broadband support.

The business model is fully public-sector: ICfL does not charge fees for its programs and services, and operations are funded through state appropriations from the Idaho State Legislature and federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), supplemented by individual and corporate contributions. The organization distributes services directly through its website, library locator, and statewide digital platforms to a captive audience of Idaho libraries and residents, with no commercial customer base.

Name

Idaho Commission for Libraries

Legal name

Idaho Commission for Libraries

Website

https://libraries.idaho.gov

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Idaho Commission for Libraries is a Boise-based state government agency that operates statewide digital library platforms and delivers programs, grants, and professional development to Idaho's public, academic, school, and special libraries and their residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210), Public Administration (92), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK), Literacy & Reading Intervention Technology (EDAJAMAF)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital resource access
• Library professional development
• Interlibrary resource sharing
• State library administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Boise

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) is a state government agency that assists Idaho libraries in building capacity to serve their communities. It delivers statewide digital platforms including LiLI research databases, STACKS digital repository, eBranch website solutions, ShareIdaho resource sharing, IDEA e-book alliance, and the Talking Book Service for visually impaired patrons, along with grants, continuing education, and digital equity programs.

Product overview

Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) operates as a state government agency providing a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services to build library capacity across Idaho. The organization offers a platform-plus-services model centered on shared digital infrastructure (LiLI databases, STACKS digital repository, eBranch website solutions) and resource sharing networks (ShareIdaho, From Our Shelves to Yours). Core programs include targeted services for academic, school, youth, and adult populations, complemented by digital equity initiatives (Digital Access for All Idahoans Plan, Idaho Digital Skills). Specialized offerings include the Talking Book Service for accessibility, Telehealth in Libraries for health access, and IDEA e-book alliance for digital content. Professional support services include Continuing Education, LITT discussion series, and the Library Knowledge Base. The organization also provides grants and funding assistance (monetary grants, E-Rate support) and operates ICfL Market for library materials procurement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LiLI (Libraries in Idaho) Statewide consortium providing shared research databases and digital resources to all Idaho libraries and residents.
• STACKS Digital Repository Digital repository service for preserving and providing access to Idaho library digital collections and institutional materials.
• eBranch Website Solutions Website hosting and solutions platform provided to Idaho libraries for their online presence.
• ShareIdaho Resource Sharing Resource sharing network enabling Idaho libraries to share materials and services across the state.
• IDEA Idaho Digital E-Book Alliance Statewide e-book consortium providing shared digital book collections to Idaho libraries.
• Talking Book Service Audiobook and accessible reading service for Idahoans with visual, physical, or print disabilities.
• From Our Shelves to Yours Library materials sharing program connecting Idaho library collections with patrons.
• ICfL Market Online marketplace for library support materials, supplies, and resources for Idaho libraries.
• Digital Access for All Idahoans Plan Statewide digital equity initiative to ensure all Idaho residents have access to digital resources and internet connectivity.
• Youth Services Comprehensive services and programs for youth including children and teen programming, early learning, and literacy initiatives.
• Adult Services Services and programs designed to support adult learners and patrons in Idaho libraries.
• Academic Libraries Program Program supporting academic libraries in Idaho, providing resources and professional development for academic library staff.
• School Libraries Program Support and resources for school libraries throughout Idaho, including professional development and curriculum materials.
• Telehealth in Libraries Program enabling libraries to serve as telehealth access points, connecting residents with healthcare services.
• Summer Learning Program Summer reading and learning program for youth, preventing summer learning loss through library engagement.
• Continuing Education Professional development and training opportunities for Idaho library staff and librarians.
• Idaho Digital Skills Digital literacy training program helping Idahoans develop essential technology skills.
• Library Locator Directory service helping Idaho residents find and locate libraries throughout the state.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Idaho Technology Authority (ITA)supportingTechnology or IntegrationITA establishes statewide IT and telecommunications policies, standards, and guidelines that ICfL follows for website design and web publishing standards under Policy P-5010 and Standard S-5120.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Washington State Library: Washington's state library operates as a division of the Secretary of State's office, providing library development, digital resources, and continuing education — directly comparable in scope and function to ICfL.
• State Library of Oregon: Oregon's state library agency provides statewide digital resources, library development, and talking book services to Oregon libraries — a directly comparable state-level peer to ICfL with similar mission, programs, and funding model.
• Wyoming State Library: Wyoming's state library agency provides library development, digital resources, and continuing education to Wyoming libraries — a closely comparable peer given similar population size and rural geography.
• Colorado State Library: Colorado's state library operates within the Department of Education, providing library development, continuing education, and statewide resource sharing — a directly comparable state agency peer.
• Montana State Library: Montana's state library provides digital resources, library development, and talking book services to Montana libraries — a directly comparable state-level peer with similar rural-state service challenges.
• Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records: Nevada's state library provides library development, digital resources, and talking book services — a directly comparable peer with similar small-state operating scale.
• Utah State Library: Utah's state library division provides library services, professional development, and digital resources to Utah libraries — directly comparable in mandate and program structure to ICfL.
• California State Library: California's state library agency administers statewide library services, literacy programs, and LSTA funding — a directly comparable peer operating at a much larger scale than ICfL but with the same core mandate.
• New Mexico State Library: New Mexico's state library provides statewide library services, professional development, and resource sharing — a directly comparable peer with similar mission and rural service focus.

Broad incumbents

• Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Texas's state library and archives commission is a larger, more established state library agency with broader archival and government records responsibilities, providing a comparable state-level operating model at much greater scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/idaho-commission-for-libraries

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Idaho Commission for Libraries