OhioNet
OhioNet is a 501(c)(3) statewide library consortium, founded in 1977, that serves 300+ member organizations representing 4,000+ Ohio libraries through collaborative eResource purchasing, training, consulting, technology services, and equipment discounts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersWesterville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What OhioNet does
OhioNet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit statewide library consortium founded in 1977 and headquartered in Westerville, Ohio. It serves as the only statewide membership organization in Ohio bringing together libraries of all types—public, academic, K-12, healthcare/special, and corporate—under one umbrella, currently encompassing more than 300 member organizations representing over 4,000 individual libraries and 30,000+ librarians and library staff. The organization is governed by a 12-person elected board of professional librarians and operates on a member-funded model.
OhioNet's core product surface is built around six service lines: (1) Consulting Services providing strategic planning and organizational development grounded in Appreciative Inquiry and human-centered design; (2) Training & Continuing Education, delivered via webinars, virtual workshops, in-person events, and a 75+ training on-demand library; (3) eResources, a collaborative purchasing program providing access to 500+ electronic resources, databases, and digital content at negotiated consortium pricing through the "Consortia Manager" license management platform; (4) Equipment & Supplies discounts via vendor partnerships with Staples, Janway, Kapco, Brodart, and Alibris; (5) Technology Services, which integrates with major Integrated Library Systems (Sierra, Evergreen, Symphony) and includes a long-standing Managed Proxy Service for remote access; and (6) the OhioNet Jobs Board plus the annual Ohio Library Employees Institute (OLEI) conference. Its underlying platform combines consortium management tooling, deep ILS integrations, and the managed proxy service that supports member remote-authentication workflows.
Revenue is generated primarily through tiered annual Membership Dues (prorated from July 1 to June 30, with rates scaled by each member organization's annual materials budget across six tiers from under $150,000 to over $2,000,001), supplemented by event/conference registration fees (e.g., OLEI at $200 member / $250 non-member), paid training and professional development programs, and transaction-based savings generated through eResource collaborative purchasing. OhioNet is not a venture-backed or publicly traded entity; it has no parent company, no subsidiaries, and operates as a going concern with 30 staff. Its go-to-market is a sales-led membership motion reaching libraries through its network, partner organizations (OhioLINK, OPLIN, INFOhio), events, and direct outreach.
OhioNet firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OhioNet
- Legal name
- OhioNet
- Website
- https://ohionet.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- OhioNet is a 501(c)(3) statewide library consortium, founded in 1977, that serves 300+ member organizations representing 4,000+ Ohio libraries through collaborative eResource purchasing, training, consulting, technology services, and equipment discounts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OhioNet industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Library Consortium Services
- NAICS
- Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910), Libraries and Archives (51921), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL)
Keywords
Where OhioNet is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Westerville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
OhioNet business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees tiered based on organization's materials budget, ranging from $0 to $2,000,001+ budgets. Prorated by month from July 1 to June 30.
- Event Registration Fees: Fees charged for conferences, workshops, and training events. Example: OLEI conference at $200 for members, $250 for non-members.
- Training and Professional Development: Continuing education webinars, virtual workshops, and in-person events for library staff
- eResource Collaborative Purchasing: Negotiated pricing for 500+ electronic resources, equipment, and supplies through consortium buying power
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | OLEI Conference - Member Rate |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | OLEI Conference - Non-Member Rate |
| Subscription | Annual | Membership by Materials Budget |
| Subscription | One-time | Webinar - Member |
| Subscription | One-time | Webinar - Non-Member |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
OhioNet product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OhioNet is a statewide library consortium that provides member libraries with consulting services, professional development training, collaborative procurement of electronic resources and supplies, and specialized technology support for library management systems. Members pay tiered annual dues based on materials budget and gain access to 500+ negotiated eResources, hundreds of hours of continuing education, and dedicated support for Sierra, Evergreen, and Symphony ILS platforms. The consortium also facilitates networking and cooperative programs across public, academic, K-12, and special libraries in Ohio.
Product overview
OhioNet is a statewide library consortium offering a unified membership platform that combines consulting services, training and continuing education, electronic resource procurement, equipment and supplies purchasing, technology services, and job board capabilities. The organization functions as a central hub connecting over 4,000 member libraries to share resources, negotiate pricing, and access professional development. Core offerings include Consulting Services for strategic planning and organizational development, Training & Continuing Education with on-demand access to 75+ trainings, eResources providing access to 500+ electronic resources through collaborative purchasing, Equipment & Supplies with vendor discounts, Technology Services supporting Sierra, Evergreen, and Symphony ILS platforms, the OhioNet Jobs Board for library career postings, and the Ohio Library Employees Institute (OLEI) annual conference.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Consulting Services Professional consulting services including organizational development, strategic planning, research and analysis, and workforce development to help member libraries achieve goals and improve performance. The practice is grounded in Appreciative Inquiry and Human-Centered Design methodologies, and is delivered by a team of former library directors.
- Training & Continuing Education Professional development for librarians and library staff delivered through hundreds of hours of webinars, virtual workshops, in-person events, and a 75+ on-demand training archive. Members access CE-eligible content; non-members pay per session.
- eResources Collaborative Purchasing Collaborative purchasing program providing member libraries with access to 500+ electronic resources, databases, and digital content at negotiated consortium pricing, with centralized license and subscription management through the proprietary Consortia Manager system.
- Equipment & Supplies Discount Program Discount program offering member libraries reduced pricing on library equipment and supplies—including barcode labels, patron cards, receipt printers, scanners, and headphones—through vendor partnerships with Staples, Janway, Kapco, Brodart, and Alibris.
- Technology Services Specialized technology support for Integrated Library Systems (ILS) including Sierra, Evergreen, and Symphony platforms, covering guidance and consulting, application and systems support, metadata management, and a long-standing managed proxy service for remote user access.
- OhioNet Jobs Board Library career and job board hosting postings for librarians and library staff positions across Ohio, with employer posting features and job seeker search and apply functionality.
- Ohio Library Employees Institute (OLEI) Conference Annual two-day conference for library employees focused on professional development and networking, particularly for support staff, with sessions on communication, customer service, programming, and emerging topics. Member rate $200; non-member rate $250; offers 11 CE hours.
Companies that use OhioNet
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
OhioNet technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
OhioNet partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ohio Private Academic Libraries (OPAL)coreOPAL was founded in 1998 with OhioNet as a consortium of private college and university libraries seeking to share resources, reduce costs, and gain access to new technologies. OhioNet provides technology expertise, training, and strategic guidance to OPAL members.
- Consortium of Ohio Libraries (COOL)minorOhioNet proudly supports COOL, a consortium of Ohio Libraries
- Portage Library ConsortiumminorOhioNet proudly supports Portage Library Consortium
- Business InsiderminorOhioNet announced partnership with Business Insider for eResource offerings
- INFOhiominorINFOhio is Ohio's preeminent K-12 digital content initiative. OhioNet collaborates with INFOhio on events and provides overview sessions at OLEI.
- OPLINminorOhio Public Library Information Network. OhioNet collaborates with OPLIN on training events and provides overview sessions.
- OhioLINKminorOhioLINK provides overview at OhioNet events including OLEI conference. Collaborates on library employee institute programming.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
OhioNet competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- LYRASIS: Large multi-state library consortium offering collaborative purchasing, technology, and preservation services; directly comparable in mission, membership model, and service mix to OhioNet but at much broader geographic scale.
- OhioLINK: Statewide academic library consortium in Ohio serving colleges and universities; OhioNet explicitly collaborates with OhioLINK on events and programming, making it the closest in-state peer.
- Bibliomation: Connecticut-based library consortium providing ILS support, training, and group purchasing; comparable in service mix and membership-driven operating model.
- OPLIN: Ohio Public Library Information Network; collaborates with OhioNet on training events and supports a near-identical base of Ohio public libraries.
- OPAL (Ohio Private Academic Libraries): Consortium of Ohio private college and university libraries co-founded with OhioNet in 1998; the two share resources, technology expertise, and a closely overlapping member base.
- Amigos Library Services: Nonprofit library consortium providing group purchasing, training, and technology support; offers the same core services as OhioNet across multiple states.
- INFOhio: Ohio's preeminent K-12 digital content initiative; collaborates with OhioNet on events and serves an overlapping segment of Ohio libraries.
- Consortium of Ohio Libraries (COOL): Consortium of Ohio Libraries that OhioNet 'proudly supports'; a peer organization serving overlapping Ohio library members with shared catalog and resource-sharing services.
- Portage Library Consortium: Ohio-based library consortium that OhioNet supports; an in-state peer sharing similar mission and member library profiles.
Regional players
- Califa Library Group: California-based library consortium offering group purchasing and training comparable to OhioNet's offerings; regional_PLAYER due to its distinct geography but highly similar operating model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
OhioNet social profiles
Digital presenceOhioNet financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OhioNet leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
OhioNet funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OhioNet 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 OhioNet
What does OhioNet do?
OhioNet is a statewide library consortium that provides member libraries with consulting services, professional development training, collaborative procurement of electronic resources and supplies, and specialized technology support for library management systems. Members pay tiered annual dues based on materials budget and gain access to 500+ negotiated eResources, hundreds of hours of continuing education, and dedicated support for Sierra, Evergreen, and Symphony ILS platforms. The consortium also facilitates networking and cooperative programs across public, academic, K-12, and special libraries in Ohio.
Is OhioNet a public or private company?
OhioNet is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was OhioNet founded?
OhioNet was founded in 1977. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is OhioNet based?
OhioNet is headquartered in Westerville, United States, in the North America region.
How does OhioNet make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are event Registration Fees, training and Professional Development and eResource Collaborative Purchasing.
Who are OhioNet's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are LYRASIS, OhioLINK, Bibliomation, OPLIN, OPAL (Ohio Private Academic Libraries), Amigos Library Services, INFOhio, Consortium of Ohio Libraries (COOL) and Portage Library Consortium. Califa Library Group is listed as a regional player.
Does OhioNet have an API?
No public API is recorded for OhioNet.
What industry is OhioNet in?
OhioNet's product category is Library Consortium Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAF, Libraries, Archives & Special Collections, with a secondary code of EDAEAGAF, Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing). Its NAICS code is 81392 and its SIC code is 8600.