Ohio Public Library Information Network

What Ohio Public Library Information Network does

Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) is an independent Ohio state agency established in 1995 under Ohio Revised Code Section 3375.65 that provides broadband internet connectivity, research database access, website hosting, SMS notifications, internet filtering, and cybersecurity services to all 251 independent public library systems in Ohio. Its technology stack is built on Z39.50 protocol, EZProxy middleware for remote authentication, pazpar2 federated search via OpenTranslators, and custom JavaScript interfaces, with infrastructure housed at the State of Ohio Computer Center (SOCC) and connected through the OARnet backbone. Core products include the Ohio Web Library federated search (covering $4M+ in cooperatively purchased databases with OhioLINK and INFOhio), Managed Branch Connection broadband service ($750-$2,000 per branch per year), Webkits website hosting (over 100 library sites), SMS Gateway (18M messages to 500K unique numbers across 210 libraries), Cisco Umbrella DNS filtering, Northstar Digital Literacy, and security awareness training. OPLIN does not sell to libraries directly in the conventional commercial sense; it is funded primarily through state appropriations from Ohio's Public Library Fund, federal E-Rate reimbursements (approximately one-third of revenue), and IMLS LSTA grants, with only ~10% of the budget consumed by administrative costs because fiscal and HR services are provided by the parent State Library of Ohio. Fee-based services (Webkits, managed branch connections) are secondary revenue streams layered on top of the state-funded core. The customer base is captive and mandate-defined — all Ohio public libraries — and the 8-person staff operates from a single office in Columbus, Ohio.

Name

Ohio Public Library Information Network

Legal name

Ohio Public Library Information Network

Website

https://oplin.ohio.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

OPLIN is an Ohio state agency, established in 1995, that delivers broadband connectivity, research databases, and technology services to all 251 Ohio public library systems from a centralized infrastructure at the State of Ohio Computer Center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Network Services

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Municipal & Community Broadband Networks (HDAIACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Business/Enterprise ISPs (Dedicated Internet Access) (HDAIADAB)

Keywords

• Library network services
• Research database access
• Public library technology
• Federated search platform
• Library broadband connectivity

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. State Government Funding: OPLIN receives primary funding from the State of Ohio, originally from General Revenue Fund and later from the Public Library Fund. Funding is determined through biennial budget legislation (HB66, HB215, etc.).
2. E-Rate Subsidies: Federal E-Rate program funding that subsidizes telecommunications and internet services for eligible libraries, representing approximately one-third of OPLIN's revenue.
3. Libraries Connect Ohio Database Grants: Funding from Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) LSTA grants awarded by the State Library of Ohio for shared database subscriptions.
4. Managed Branch Connection Fees: Fees charged to libraries for broadband connectivity services — $2,000 per branch per year for 1Gbps fiber or $750 per year for business class 1Gbps download tier.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

OPLIN provides broadband internet connectivity, research database subscriptions through the Ohio Web Library federated search, and a suite of technology support services (website hosting, SMS notifications, internet filtering, co-location, digital literacy training) to Ohio's 251 public library systems. Services are delivered via state-funded infrastructure including the State of Ohio Computer Center (SOCC) and OARnet backbone, with EZProxy authentication and pazpar2 middleware enabling federated access to $4 million+ in annually licensed database content.

Product overview

OPLIN (Ohio Public Library Information Network) provides a platform of interconnected technology services to Ohio's 251 public library systems. The core offerings include broadband internet connectivity (with Managed Branch Connection for library branches), research database subscriptions through the Ohio Web Library federated search, and co-location services at the State of Ohio Computer Center. These are complemented by add-on modules including Webkits website hosting, SMS notification services, Cisco Umbrella internet filtering, Northstar Digital Literacy training, security awareness programs, website audits, database authentication support, and E-Rate consulting. The Ohio Web Library federated search serves as a key discovery interface, pulling from multiple commercial databases via Z39.50 protocol and OpenTranslators, with authentication handled through EZProxy. Services are funded through a combination of state appropriations, E-Rate refunds, and grants, with approximately 10% of budget used for administrative costs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ohio Web Library: A communal collection of databases purchased in cooperation with OhioLINK and INFOhio, with additional funds from IMLS LSTA grant awarded by State Library of Ohio. The total cost of this extensive collection tops $4 million annually.
• Webkits
• Find-A-Library
• Northstar Digital Literacy
• SMS Notifications

Products and services

• Internet Services Provides broadband internet access, DNS services, internet filtering, and network testing services to Ohio public libraries, including circuit upgrades to 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps bandwidth.
• Research Databases (Ohio Web Library) Federated search of commercial online databases including newspaper, magazine articles, encyclopedias, and reference resources. Database collection is jointly purchased with OhioLINK and INFOhio, with additional IMLS LSTA grant funding, totaling over $4 million annually.
• Managed Branch Connection Broadband connectivity service providing 1 Gbps download speeds on providers' business class networks for library branches at $2,000 per year. Includes reduced admin burden (no monthly bills, no E-Rate paperwork), better technical support, and increased cybersecurity by bringing branches within OPLIN's IP address space.
• Co-Location Service

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• State Library of OhiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 1997OPLIN is an independent agency within the State Library of Ohio. The State Library provides fiscal and employee services to OPLIN, allowing only 10% of OPLIN's budget to be used for administrative costs. OPLIN's Board is appointed by the State Library Board.
• Ohio Office of Information TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationOPLIN contracts with the Ohio Office of Information Technology for network management assistance. OIT provides infrastructure services including diagnostic lines and technical support for the statewide network.
• Libraries Connect Ohio (OhioLINK and INFOhio)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative database purchasing partnership including OhioLINK (academic libraries) and INFOhio (school libraries), with additional funding from IMLS LSTA grants. The combined purchasing power enables $4 million+ annual database subscriptions.
• OARnetcoreTechnology or IntegrationOhio Academic Resources Network provides network backbone infrastructure. OARnet is upgrading its capacity and has donated 100G line cards to OPLIN to support increased bandwidth needs.
• State of Ohio Computer Center (SOCC)coreTechnology or IntegrationOPLIN's core network hub is housed at the State of Ohio Computer Center, providing Tier III-rated data center facilities and redundancy for OPLIN's network infrastructure.
• CyberOhiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOhio's cybersecurity initiative that provides funding and resources for local government entities including libraries. OPLIN participates in CyberOhio grant programs for cybersecurity software, services, and YubiKey distribution.
• SpectrumcoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary telecommunications provider for OPLIN's network circuits. Spectrum provides the underlying fiber infrastructure for many library connections. OPLIN is negotiating settlements for retroactive pricing changes.
• Broadband OhiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState broadband initiative that is covering costs for Northstar Digital Literacy statewide. OPLIN worked with Broadband Ohio on the statewide digital literacy education platform RFP.
• Ohio Library Council (OLC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional association for public librarians in Ohio. OLC was instrumental in OPLIN's creation and the two organizations often partner to improve library services. OPLIN participates in OLC conventions and events.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• INFOhio: Ohio's K-12 school library network and OPLIN's Libraries Connect Ohio co-purchaser. Comparable state-funded aggregator delivering research databases and technology services to Ohio schools — same statutory-environment model with a different vertical.
• NC LIVE: North Carolina's statewide library electronic resources consortium that collectively procures databases and digital content for North Carolina public and academic libraries. Directly comparable content-aggregation model funded through state appropriations.
• Califa Library Group: California multitype library consortium offering shared electronic content, training, and group purchasing to member libraries. Comparable content-aggregation and consortium-negotiation model, though operating across a much larger and more diverse membership.
• Lyrasis: Large multi-state library and cultural heritage collaborative providing technology, content, and preservation services to libraries, archives, and museums. Comparable as a non-profit library technology aggregator, though at greater scale and geographic breadth than OPLIN.
• Minitex: Minnesota's multitype library network providing resource sharing, database access, and technology infrastructure to libraries statewide. Structurally analogous as a state-supported library technology and content consortium serving public, academic, and special libraries.
• OhioLINK: Ohio's academic library consortium and OPLIN's direct partner in Libraries Connect Ohio. Operates a comparable state-level model of aggregated technology, database, and broadband services for member libraries in Ohio, though focused on higher education rather than public libraries.
• MOREnet: Missouri's research and education network providing broadband, internet filtering, and technology services to libraries, schools, and government entities. Closely comparable model of state-level broadband aggregation and E-Rate-funded internet delivery for community institutions.
• Bibliomation: Connecticut library cooperative providing shared automation, networking, and technology services to member public libraries. Comparable cooperative model delivering centralized technology infrastructure to a defined set of public library customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@oplinlibraries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oplinlibraries

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Ohio Public Library Information Network