OCPL

Name

OCPL

Legal name

OC Public Libraries

Website

https://ocpl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1921

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210), Libraries and Archives (51921), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAGAJAL

OER Repositories, Discovery & Metadata Services

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Textbooks

SECONDARYEDAFACAJ

Open Educational Resources (OER) & Curriculum Repositories

Education/Education Technology (EdTech) & Digital Learning/Digital Curriculum, Courseware & Interactive Learning Content

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community literacy programs
• Digital lending platform
• Library branch network
• Educational resources

Headquarters

HQ city

PARIS

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Tax Funding: As a county government agency, OC Public Libraries is primarily funded through Orange County tax revenues, providing free services to all residents
2. Lost and Damaged Item Fines: While late fines were eliminated in November 2021, the library still collects fines for lost or damaged items
3. Grant Funding: Federal and state grants including NEA Big Read ($15,000), California State Library Sustainable Libraries grant ($75,000), and California Department of Aging grants

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

OC Public Libraries (OCPL) is a free public library system operated by Orange County Government, California, founded in 1921, that lends physical books and media, provides digital content (e-books, audiobooks, streaming video, music), and delivers community programming through 29 branches plus a satellite location. It also offers non-traditional lending such as a Seed Library, Library of Things, mobile hotspots, and California State Parks passes, paired with literacy services (OC READ, Career Online High School) and tools for local history preservation (OC Memory Lab).

Product overview

OC Public Libraries (OCPL) is a public library system operating 29 branches plus a satellite location, providing access to over 1.7 million physical and digital materials. The core offering combines a unified catalog platform (catalog.ocpl.org) with integrated digital resources including Libby by OverDrive for eBooks/audiobooks, KanopyPlus for streaming video, Freegal for music, and Blackstone Unlimited eAudiobooks. Patrons access services via physical library cards or eCards for digital access, with mobile support through the MyOCPL App. The service portfolio spans literacy programs (OC READ, Career Online High School), community resources (Library of Things, Discover and Go, CA State Parks Passes, Seed Library), digital preservation (OC Memory Lab), technology access (Hotspot Lending, Internet Access Initiative), and enrichment programming (Summer Reading via Beanstack, A Slice of Literary Orange author series, Lunch at the Library, Regulation Station sensory programs). Services operate on a fine-free model following elimination of late fines in November 2021.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OC Public Libraries Branch Network Physical library branches across Orange County, California, where residents can borrow books and media, access public computers, and attend community programs. Free to use for Orange County residents.
• Online Catalog Web-based catalog that allows Orange County residents to search the library's collection of books, media, and digital content, place holds, and manage their account.
• eCard Digital library card allowing Orange County residents to register online and access digital resources, including e-books, audiobooks, and databases, without visiting a physical branch.
• Libby by OverDrive App-based digital lending platform that allows OCPL cardholders to borrow e-books, audiobooks, and digital magazines on mobile devices and computers.
• KanopyPlus Streaming video platform providing OCPL cardholders free access to films, documentaries, and educational video content.
• Freegal Music streaming and download platform giving OCPL cardholders free access to a library of songs and albums.
• Blackstone Unlimited eAudiobooks Unlimited digital audiobook lending service for OCPL cardholders, with no waitlists on titles in the collection.
• MyOCPL App Mobile app that lets OCPL cardholders manage their library account, search the catalog, place holds, and access digital resources from a smartphone or tablet.
• OC Memory Lab Walk-in digitization lab where patrons can preserve local history and personal memories by converting analog media (photos, documents, audio, video) to digital formats.
• Cloud Printing Print-from-anywhere service that allows patrons to upload documents online and pick up printed pages at any OCPL branch for $0.15 per page.
• Career Online High School Online accredited high school completion program that allows Orange County adults aged 19 and older to earn an official high school diploma and career certificate at no cost through the library.
• OC READ Adult literacy program providing free tutoring, reading instruction, and learning resources to adults in Orange County who want to improve their reading and literacy skills.
• Library of Things Lending collection of non-book items such as games, tools, and household equipment that OCPL cardholders can borrow with their library card.
• Beanstack Reading Challenges Online platform that hosts OCPL's reading challenges, including the Summer Reading Challenge, allowing patrons to track reading and earn badges and prizes.
• Discover and Go Pass program that gives OCPL cardholders free or discounted admission to local museums, cultural attractions, and parks in the region.
• California State Parks Passes Library lending program that allows OCPL cardholders to borrow free day-use passes for California State Parks.
• Books by Mail Mail-order library service that ships physical library materials directly to the homes of Orange County residents who cannot easily visit a branch.
• Hotspot Lending / Internet Access Initiative Lending program that lets OCPL cardholders borrow mobile Wi-Fi hotspots to provide home internet access, addressing the digital divide in Orange County.
• Seed Library Lending collection at select OCPL branches where patrons can borrow seeds for flowers, vegetables, and herbs to grow at home and return saved seeds.
• A Slice of Literary Orange Author talk and literary event series organized by OCPL featuring local and notable authors for Orange County readers.
• Lunch at the Library Summer meal program that provides free lunches for children at OCPL branches in combination with reading and enrichment activities.
• Regulation Station Specialized sensory-friendly space and services at OCPL branches designed to support neurodivergent patrons, families, and individuals who benefit from a calming environment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200% increase in returned library materials after eliminating late fines
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• UC Master Gardeners of CaliforniaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2025Partnership for Seed Library pilot program gardening workshops at multiple branches including herb growing, vegetable gardens, and succulent planting
• Mysterious Galaxy BookstoreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2025Bookstore partnership providing books for purchase at author events including R.L. Stine appearance
• Orange County Office on AgingmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2025Partnership with Orange County Office on Aging for One County, One Book community reading program, funded in part through a grant from California Department of Aging
• Samueli FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2024Samueli Foundation funded the ¡Oh Sí! bilingual English/Spanish marketing campaign targeting Spanish-speaking communities with messages about free library services
• OC Waste & RecyclingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 April 2024Earth Day partnership with OC Waste & Recycling for environmental-themed programming and education
• LibraryromobileminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2021Partnership to launch inaugural Orange County Poet Laureate Programs bringing poetry programming to the community
• National Endowment for the Arts / Arts MidwestmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2020NEA Big Read partnership providing $15,000 grant for community reading program featuring Lab Girl by Hope Jahren with S.T.E.A.M. activities
• California State LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia State Library provides funding and support for Lunch at the Library summer meal program and other initiatives through state grants including the Sustainable California Libraries grant ($75,000)
• Friends of Library OrganizationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of Friends of Library organizations at multiple branches (Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, El Toro, Laguna Beach, Los Alamitos, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Villa Park) providing volunteer support, fundraising, and community advocacy
• California State ParksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership to offer free State Parks vehicle-day use passes available for circulation at all library branches

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• San Francisco Public Library: A major California municipal public library system offering a similar mix of digital resources, community programming, and lending services. Comparable to OCPL in service breadth and innovative programming focus.
• San Diego County Library: A California county library system serving unincorporated areas and several municipalities. Comparable to OCPL in service model, funding structure (county tax based), and breadth of digital resources and community programming.
• King County Library System: A large county library system serving Washington's most populous county. Comparable to OCPL as a county-government-operated library system with extensive digital resources, community programming, and similar funding mechanisms.
• Hennepin County Library: A large county library system in Minnesota serving Hennepin County. Comparable to OCPL in scale of operations, digital resource offerings, and community-focused programming.
• LA County Library: The largest county public library system in California, operating dozens of branches across Los Angeles County. Directly comparable to OCPL as a county-government-operated library system serving Southern California with similar services, digital resources, and community programming.
• Contra Costa County Library: A California county library system serving Contra Costa County. Directly comparable to OCPL in operating model, funding structure (county tax), and breadth of digital and in-person services.

Broad incumbents

• New York Public Library: One of the largest public library systems in the United States, operating across Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Comparable to OCPL in scale of digital resources, community programming, and innovative lending programs (Library of Things analogues).
• Seattle Public Library: A major municipal public library system serving Seattle. Comparable to OCPL in digital service offerings, community programming focus, and innovative service models such as Library of Things.
• Chicago Public Library: A major municipal public library system serving Chicago. Comparable to OCPL in offering extensive digital resources, community programming, and innovative initiatives such as Seed Libraries and Maker Spaces.
• Brooklyn Public Library: A major metropolitan public library system serving Brooklyn, NY. Comparable to OCPL in offering traditional lending, digital resources, community programming, and literacy services to a diverse urban population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ocpublib
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/OCPublicLibraries
• Facebookfacebook.com/ocpubliclibraries
• Instagraminstagram.com/ocpubliclibraries
• Pinterestpinterest.com/ocplca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ocpl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 OCPL