Middle Country Public Library

What Middle Country Public Library does

Middle Country Public Library (MCPL) is a tax-funded public library district operating two state-of-the-art facilities in Centereach and Selden, New York, serving the Middle Country community of Suffolk County, Long Island. Established in the mid-1950s, MCPL operates an integrated portfolio of physical and digital services — physical lending through the IIIVega online catalog, digital content access via OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, Flipster, and research databases (Britannica, EBSCO, Brainfuse, TumbleBooks) — alongside specialized programming for early childhood (Family Place Libraries model, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, Nature Explorium outdoor learning space, Museum Corner interactive exhibits), K-12 students (Live Homework Help, Battle of the Books, Tween Scene), teens (Underground Media Studio, Island Idol festival, Green Teens, 100 Books Before Graduation), and adults/seniors (Miller Business Center, Local History/Genealogy, Literacy Center, Seed Library, free access to job/career resources). The library's business model is primarily funded by local tax revenue, supplemented by two affiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofits — Friends of the Middle Country Public Library (founded 1994, memberships $5-$100) and the Middle Country Library Foundation (founded 1997, raising ~$250,000/year in restricted funds including the $1M Hagedorn Endowment for Family Place Libraries established in 2002) — alongside modest fee-based services (printing, notary, fax, EV charging at $0.24/kWh, museum pass late/replacement fees), corporate sponsorships (Bank of America, TD Charitable, NY Community Bank Foundation, Suffolk County), and grant funding. The Centereach facility's recently renovated Adult Reading Room features an Innovation Space, podcast recording studio, quiet study room, group study rooms, MCPL Café, and Community Room with Hearing Loop; the Selden branch provides Adult and Children's Reading Rooms, meeting rooms, and a 24-hour drive-up return. MCPL is recognized as the national model for Family Place Libraries and was the first U.S. library to offer the Nature Explorium outdoor learning space, distributing this expertise through leadership and training to libraries across Long Island and the nation.

Name

Middle Country Public Library

Legal name

Middle Country Public Library

Website

https://mcplibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Middle Country Public Library is a tax-funded public library district operating two facilities in Centereach and Selden, NY, serving district residents with physical and digital lending, early childhood and teen programming, business and adult services, and is the national model for Family Place Libraries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAEAGAC

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYBPAIACAO

Public Libraries & Information Services

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

SECONDARYEDAAAFAA

Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Community & Public Education Programs (Libraries, Community Centers)

SECONDARYEDAEAGAF

Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

Keywords

• Public library services
• Early childhood literacy
• Community education programs
• Digital lending platforms
• Business resource center

Headquarters

HQ city

Centereach, NY

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding (Tax Revenue): As a public library, primary funding comes from local tax revenue supporting core operations, collections, and staff.
2. Friends of MCPL Membership & Book Sales: Friends of the Library organization raises funds through membership dues ($5-$100), book sales, annual garage sales, and fundraisers. Supports library programs including Island Idol, Middle Country Reads, and Adult Summer Reading Club.
3. MCL Foundation Grants: The Middle Country Library Foundation (501(c)(3)) raises approximately $250,000 per year in restricted funds from various sources to support Family Place Libraries, 2-1-1 Long Island Database, and Miller Business Resource Center. Received $1 million Hagedorn Endowment in 2002 for Family Place Libraries.
4. Fee-Based Services: Modest fees for specific services: printing, photocopying ($0.10 B&W, $1.00 color), fax ($0.50/page), notary ($1.00/signature), electric vehicle charging ($0.24/kWh), museum passes (late fees, replacement fees).
5. Sponsorships & Donations: Support from corporate sponsors including TD Charitable Foundation ($5,000 for Nature Explorium/Apple Festival), Bank of America ($10,000 Women's EXPO), New York Community Bank Foundation ($4,000 for Family Center), NatGen ($750 for Green Teens), ShopRite ($1,000 Island Idol), Suffolk County ($6,100 for MCPL Under the Stars).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Middle Country Public Library is a dual-branch public library system serving Centereach and Selden, NY, providing free physical and digital lending (books, eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, music, video), educational programming for all ages (early childhood, school-age, teen, adult), business and career resources through the Miller Business Center, and numerous community services including notary, passport acceptance, EV charging, museum passes, and a Library of Things for STEAM robotics. The library is the national model for Family Place Libraries and operates the first U.S. library Nature Explorium outdoor learning space.

Product overview

Middle Country Public Library (MCPL) is a dual-branch public library system serving Centereach and Selden, NY. The library offers a comprehensive portfolio of physical and digital services organized around community learning, early childhood development, teen engagement, adult services, and community resources. Core offerings include traditional library lending through the online catalog, digital content access via OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, and Flipster, and extensive databases for children and adults. The library provides specialized programs such as Family Place Libraries, the Nature Explorium, Museum Corner, and Library of Things with educational technology loans. Youth services include reading programs (1000 Books Before Kindergarten, 100 Books Before Graduation, Summer Reading Club), homework help, and maker spaces. The renovated Centereach facility features an Innovation Space, podcast recording studio, and the MCPL Café. Business support is provided through the Miller Business Center, while community services include notary, passport acceptance, EV charging, home delivery for homebound patrons, and Spanish language outreach. The library also maintains affiliations with FamilySearch for genealogy research and administers the 2-1-1 Long Island database.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Miller Business Center: Business support services and resources for entrepreneurs and business professionals.
• Family Place Libraries
• Nature Explorium
• MCPL Café
• The Museum Corner

Products and services

• Library Catalog Online catalog for searching and borrowing physical materials including books, DVDs, and other media, as well as registering for library programs. Available to MCPL cardholders.
• eBooks & Downloads Digital content platform providing access to eBooks, audiobooks, music, magazines, and video downloads through OverDrive, Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, and Flipster. Free for MCPL cardholders.
• Family Place Libraries Family-centered library services and community coalition model supporting families with early childhood resources, parent support, and parent education. MCPL serves as the national model.
• Family Center Family support services provided by a Family Service League social worker offering counseling and community resource connections for district families.
• 1000 Books Before Kindergarten National early literacy initiative encouraging parents to read 1,000 books to children before starting kindergarten, with rewards at milestones.
• 100 Books Before Graduation Teen reading challenge program where participants in grades 6-12 are challenged to read 100 books before high school graduation.
• Summer Reading Club Annual summer reading program with reading logs, raffle tickets, and prizes for children, teens, and adults.
• Live Homework Help Free online homework assistance from real tutors in math, science, English, and social studies, available daily 10AM-11PM in English and Spanish for grades K-12.
• Underground Media Studio Teen media production facility featuring equipment for video production, podcast recording, and creative media projects, available to teens in grades 6-12.
• Innovation Space Maker space within the Centereach Adult Reading Room featuring technology equipment, collaboration areas, and creative tools including 3D printing.
• Podcast Recording Studio Professional podcast recording facility available for patron and staff podcast production within the renovated Centereach building.
• MCPL Podcast Library podcast featuring discussions on upcoming programs, book recommendations, and community stories available on podcast apps and YouTube.
• Library of Things - Educational Collection Loanable technology and educational items including coding robots (Bee-Bot, Ozobot, Sphero, Dash & Dot, Cozmo), coding kits (littleBits, Snap Circuits, MaKey MaKey), Osmo games, Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit, Piper Raspberry Pi Computer Kit, and musical instruments for Youth Services patrons.
• Nature Explorium First-in-the-nation outdoor learning space for children and families connecting literacy, learning, and nature appreciation through hands-on activities at the library.
• Museum Corner Interactive exhibit space in the Children's Department featuring rotating hands-on exhibits and programs for children and families. Current exhibit: Let's Eat! Farm to Table.
• Passport Services Acceptance of passport applications for U.S. passports at the Centereach library.
• Notary Services Notary public services available at Customer Service areas for document notarization at $1.00 per signature. Available at Centereach (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm) and Selden (Wednesdays 1:30pm-4:30pm).
• Electric Vehicle Charging ChargePoint electric vehicle charging stations available at Centereach and Selden locations at $0.24 per kWh. Requires ChargePoint account and app/card.
• Mailbox Library and Home Delivery Homebound patron services providing library material delivery via US Mail and extended loan periods for residents with physical disabilities preventing library visits.
• Miller Business Center Business resource center providing support for small businesses and entrepreneurs with management, growth strategies, and healthy profit margins resources. Serves the Middle Country community with information, programs, and services for business success.
• Literacy Center Adult literacy services and programs supporting English language learners and adults seeking to improve reading and writing skills.
• Seed Library Program allowing patrons to borrow seeds for growing vegetables and flowers, promoting gardening and sustainability.
• Sensory Nook Sensory-friendly space for children with sensory processing needs, available by reservation.
• MCPL Café On-site café offering coffee, espresso drinks, tea, hot chocolate, and bakery items from local vendor Tend Coffee and JeJoJo Bagels at the Centereach location.
• Discount Tickets to Local Attractions Discounted admission tickets to local attractions including Adventureland, The Adventure Park, American Museum of Natural History, Long Island Aquarium, and Splish Splash.
• 2-1-1 Long Island Database Free online directory of health, human services, and education agencies and programs on Long Island coordinated and supported by MCPL.
• FamilySearch Affiliate Library Affiliation with FamilySearch.org providing access to worldwide digitized genealogical records and family history resources, supplementing in-library genealogy research.
• Local History Collection Local history resources and archival materials documenting the history of the Middle Country community.
• Free Lunch for Kids @ MCPL Free summer lunch program for children ages 18 and younger provided through partnership with Long Island Cares during summer months.
• Museum Passes Circulating museum passes to area attractions via the MuseumKey reservation system, free for MCPL cardholders. $10 late fee and $25 non-refundable replacement fee for lost passes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving as national model for Family Place Libraries
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sprouts Healthy Communities FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Funding partner for the Museum Corner's Let's Eat! Farm to Table exhibit focusing on healthy eating and food education for children and families.
• Middle Country Library Foundation (MCL Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997501(c)(3) foundation raising approximately $250,000 per year in restricted funds to support Family Place Libraries, 2-1-1 Long Island Database, and Miller Business Resource Center. Governs regional and national initiatives and provides training for widespread implementation.
• Friends of the Middle Country Public LibrarycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 1994501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to foster closer relations between library and community, support library functions, and encourage benefactions. Supports Island Idol, Middle Country Reads, Mujeres Latinas, International Museum Day, Adult Summer Reading Club. Raises funds through book sales, garage sales, and membership dues.
• Miller Business CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness resource center serving the Middle Country community with information, programs, and services for business success. Provides resources for both large and small businesses including management, growth strategies, and healthy profit margins.
• Family Place LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCPL serves as the national model for Family Place Libraries, developed to be a community center for literacy, early childhood education, parent support, and community information. MCPL provides leadership and training for libraries implementing this model across the nation.
• Dimensions Educational Research Foundation / Long Island Nature Collaborative for Kids (LINCK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership to develop the Nature Explorium, the first outdoor learning space at a U.S. library connecting literacy, learning, and nature appreciation as a regular part of the library visit.
• 2-1-1 Long Island DatabasecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree online directory of health, human services, and education agencies and programs on Long Island. MCPL coordinates and supports this regional resource database.
• Family Service LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial worker partnership providing family support services through the Family Center at MCPL, offering family counseling and connection to community resources.
• Long Island CaresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide Free Lunch for Kids @ MCPL during summer months for children ages 18 and younger, addressing nutritional gaps in the community.
• Long Island ReadsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIsland-wide reading initiative (established 2002) sponsored by Nassau Library System and Suffolk County Public Libraries. Annual joint book selection with related events and discussions.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Regional players

• Nassau Library System: Regional library cooperative for Nassau County, Long Island, co-sponsor of Long Island Reads with Suffolk County. Comparable to MCPL as a regional library-system operator serving Long Island communities.
• Suffolk Cooperative Library System: Cooperative library system serving Suffolk County, Long Island, providing shared digital resources (Flipster, OverDrive) and coordinated services to MCPL's neighboring libraries. Directly comparable as a regional library ecosystem player.

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Public Library: Large public library system with maker labs, innovation spaces, and a YOUmedia teen learning model. Comparable to MCPL's Innovation Space and youth programming, but at significantly larger scale.
• Queens Public Library: Public library system serving the Queens borough in NYC. Comparable public library with community programming, business/job seeker resources, and multilingual services across multiple branches.
• New York Public Library: Largest public library system in the U.S. serving NYC. Comparable as a public library with broad programming, though vastly larger scale and not focused on small-district community innovation models.
• Brooklyn Public Library: Large urban public library system serving Brooklyn borough. Comparable as a public library with branch network, programming, and digital services, though at a much larger scale.
• Free Library of Philadelphia: Large public library system serving Philadelphia with extensive programming, makerspaces, and community partnerships. Comparable to MCPL through its community engagement and innovative programming model.

Direct peers

• Cleveland Public Library: Urban public library known for its entrepreneurship center (CPL@COSE) and small business support. Comparable to MCPL through its Miller Business Center-style business resource model and national recognition for innovative services.
• Hennepin County Library: Minnesota public library system nationally recognized for innovative services and community-centered programming. Comparable to MCPL as a mid-sized suburban library system known for service innovation and model exports.

Emerging players

• Family Place Libraries: National early-childhood library service model for which MCPL serves as the national model. MCPL is both a parent organization and operator, but Family Place Libraries as an entity is the direct peer in the early-childhood library-services category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/middlecountrylibrary
• YouTubeyoutube.com/MiddleCountryPublicLibrary
• Facebookfacebook.com/middlecountrylibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/middlecountrypl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/middle-country-public-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Middle Country Public Library