What Pacific Library Partnership does

Pacific Library Partnership (PLP) is a California cooperative library system established in 2009 through the consolidation of four regional library cooperatives: BALIS (Bay Area Library and Information System, est. 1983), PLS (Peninsula Library System, est. 1970), MOBAC (Monterey Bay Area Cooperative Library System, est. 1968), and SVLS (Silicon Valley Library System, est. 1975). Headquartered in San Mateo, California, PLP serves 43 member institutions — 35 public libraries and 8 academic libraries — spanning 8 counties across the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Coast (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Monterey). It is one of nine cooperative systems formed through a statewide effort led by the California State Library. PLP is governed by an Executive Committee of 8 Library Directors plus CEO Carol Frost, who also serves as Executive Director of the Peninsula Library System.

PLP's service portfolio bundles four categories of offerings. (1) Shared technology services, including the SimplyE open-source eBook platform (whose subscription costs PLP funds for member public libraries), Gale Cengage's Analytics on Demand, Bibliotheca CloudLibrary, Overdrive, Link+ inter-library resource sharing, CENIC broadband connectivity grants (1G-10G speeds), and physical lending of LulzBot Mini 3D printers. (2) Grant programs, comprising competitive Innovation and Technology Opportunity Grants (typically $12,000-$15,000 per award) and LSTA-funded system-wide initiatives such as the News Literacy Toolkit, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Training, and Cybersecurity for Youth Using Minecraft modules. (3) Professional development, including year-long Leadership Programs for Library Directors, Assistant Directors, and Mid-Managers, the annual October Future of Libraries conference, and Spring Workshops. (4) Logistics, notably inter-library delivery services enabling residents to return materials to any public library across the eight-county region. PLP operates no proprietary technology platform; it functions as a coordination and pass-through funding layer.

PLP's revenue is derived from California Library Services Act (CLSA) allocations, Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants administered through the California State Library, and member contributions. The only disclosed figure is $695,935 in CLSA funding for FY 2018/19 allocated for Communication and Delivery services. PLP is not venture-backed and operates as a non-commercial cooperative; its go-to-market is community-led, with services delivered directly to member libraries via annual Administrative Council meetings, the Executive Committee, and system-wide programs rather than through sales channels.

Name

Pacific Library Partnership

Legal name

Pacific Library Partnership

Website

https://plpinfo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pacific Library Partnership is a cooperative library system serving 43 public and academic libraries across 8 Bay Area and Central Coast counties. It coordinates shared technology services, LSTA-funded grant programs, inter-library delivery, and professional development for its member institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Library Consortium Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK), Academic & Research Library Operations (College/University Libraries) (EDAEAGAB)

Keywords

• Cooperative library system
• Library consortium services
• Library grant administration
• Staff development programs
• Interlibrary delivery services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Mateo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. California Library Services Act (CLSA) Funding: PLP receives CLSA funding as allocated by the California Library Services Board for Communication and Delivery services for public libraries. For FY 2018/19, PLP received $695,935 in CLSA funding.
2. LSTA Grants: PLP receives Library Services and Technology Act grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the California State Library for various initiatives including News Literacy Toolkit, Student Success Initiative, Cybersecurity Training, and other innovation projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pacific Library Partnership is a cooperative library system that coordinates shared services for 43 member libraries (35 public and 8 academic) across 8 Bay Area and Central Coast counties. Its core offerings include administration of California Library Services Act (CLSA) and Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding, Innovation and Technology Opportunity Grants, staff development programs including the annual Future of Libraries conference and leadership programs, interlibrary delivery services, and shared digital content platforms (SimplyE, Analytics on Demand, CENIC broadband).

Product overview

Pacific Library Partnership is a cooperative library system (consortium) rather than a commercial product company. It operates as a unified platform of services supporting 43 member libraries across eight Bay Area and Central Coast counties. The core portfolio includes: (1) Shared technology services such as Analytics on Demand, SimplyE eBook platform, 3D printer lending, CENIC broadband infrastructure, and inter-library delivery; (2) Grant programs including LSTA-funded initiatives (News Literacy Toolkit, Data Privacy Training, Cybersecurity using Minecraft) and competitive Innovation and Technology Opportunity Grants; (3) Professional development offerings including Leadership Programs for library executives, the annual Future of Libraries conference, and Staff Development Committee workshops; and (4) Educational toolkits and programs developed through LSTA funding for member libraries. PLP functions as a coordination body that aggregates purchasing power, facilitates resource sharing, and supports state-wide library initiatives rather than selling standalone products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cooperative Library System Services Regional cooperative system coordinating services for 43 libraries (35 public and 8 academic) across 8 Bay Area and Central Coast counties. Coordinates CLSA programs, research and development, collaborative programming, and collective resource sharing among member libraries.
• LSTA Grants Program
• Innovation and Technology Opportunity Grants Competitive grants awarded annually to PLP member libraries supporting innovation and technology initiatives. Awarded in two categories: Innovation and Technology Opportunity Grants (Category A) and Grant Replication Program (Category B), typically up to $12,000-$15,000 per award.
• Delivery Services Interlibrary delivery services enabling residents to return materials to any public library across eight Bay Area counties (Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Alameda, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Monterey). Supported by CLSA funding allocations.
• Leadership Programs Year-long intensive leadership program (January to December) for Library Directors, Assistant Directors, and Mid-Managers, focusing on problem-solving skills, understanding library environments, and strengthening professional networks.
• Staff Development Committee Programs Sponsored library staff development events including the annual Future of Libraries conference and Spring Workshop for all levels of library staff. Identifies training needs and builds staff knowledge in new and emerging areas.
• Future of Libraries Conference Annual October conference coordinated by PLP's Staff Development Committee, bringing together library workers from the Bay Area and beyond for timely topics affecting the profession. Hosted by San Francisco Public Library for over ten years.
• SimplyE eBook Platform Open-source mobile app developed by New York Public Library that aggregates eBook vendor content into a unified discovery and reading platform. PLP funds subscription costs for member public libraries.
• Analytics on Demand (AOD) Service allowing libraries to export patron data into Gale Cengage's Analytics on Demand product for market segmentation analysis, user behavior insights, patron profiles, eBook analytics, and visual business intelligence dashboards.
• CENIC Broadband Infrastructure Service Network connectivity service for PLP public libraries enabling them to join CENIC, a dedicated network for libraries and universities. Libraries can receive grant funds to upgrade network servers, routers, and infrastructure, connecting at speeds between 1G and 10G.
• Cybersecurity for Youth Using Minecraft LSTA-funded educational module teaching cybersecurity practices to youth using Minecraft, developed in collaboration with Palo Alto City Library. Includes downloadable toolkit and training resources for librarians to deliver youth programs covering network security, password protection, threat identification, data protection, and social engineering.
• Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Training California-specific training program for libraries on privacy and cybersecurity topics including privacy policy best practices, vendor data sharing, data privacy lifecycle, and train-the-trainer model. Developed in collaboration with LDH Consulting and Lyrasis consultants.
• NEWS Literacy Toolkit LSTA-funded toolkit helping librarians address media literacy with programming ideas, activities, infographics, and presentations covering changing media environment, fact vs. opinion, information evaluation, bias determination, and social media role.

Quantifiable outcome

• CLSA funding distributed to offset cost of delivery of materials among member libraries
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• California State Library - Statewide Online Homework HelpcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026PLP is issuing an RFP in partnership with the California State Library to provide real-time online tutoring service program for students in grades K-12 through California's local libraries. The tutoring service will be available from August 2026 through July 2027.
• LDH ConsultingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019PLP partnered with LDH Consulting for the Data Privacy Best Practices Training for Libraries project funded by LSTA grant. The project developed California-specific training on privacy-related topics and digital safety.
• LyrasisminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019PLP partnered with Lyrasis consultants for the Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Training for Libraries project. Lyrasis provided expertise for developing training materials and a train-the-trainer model.
• Palo Alto City LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Palo Alto City Library served as the lead agency in developing cybersecurity modules using Minecraft for youth. The project was funded by an LSTA grant and the library helped develop and test the module content.
• Common KnowledgeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017PLP partnered with consultants from Common Knowledge to create the News Literacy Toolkit. Common Knowledge helped curate content regarding news literacy for the Bay Area library community.
• California State LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPLP works cooperatively with the California State Library on LSTA grants and statewide initiatives including adult and early literacy, immigration, and veterans resources. PLP is one of nine cooperative systems formed through a statewide effort by the California State Library to consolidate library systems.
• California Libraries Learn (CALL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCALL is a joint project of the California State Library and California Library Association. PLP partners with CALL on the annual Future of Libraries conference and other professional development initiatives. CALL is supported by LSTA funds.
• California State Library - Sustainable California LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPLP is partnering with the California State Library on the statewide Sustainable California Libraries LSTA grant. PLP is seeking a Project Manager to work with the California State Library in planning, development, delivery, and evaluation of project activities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• San Joaquin Valley Library System: One of the nine California cooperative library systems, serving the San Joaquin Valley. Operates the same delivery, courier, and resource-sharing services to member libraries, making it a structural parallel to PLP.
• Inland Library System: One of the nine California cooperative library systems serving the Inland Empire region. Directly comparable cooperative structure, service portfolio, and member-driven governance model.
• Mountain Valley Library System: California cooperative library system covering Central Valley counties. Comparable to PLP in statutory role, membership mix of public and academic libraries, and delivery/grant/training service mix.
• Black Gold Cooperative Library System: California cooperative library system serving San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Provides the same suite of cooperative services to member public and academic libraries as PLP.
• North State Cooperative Library System: One of the nine California cooperative library systems, covering far Northern California. Provides the same statutory cooperative services (delivery, training, grants) under the California State Library framework as PLP.
• Santiago Library System: Another of the nine California cooperative library systems, serving Orange County and surrounding areas with consortium purchasing, training, and delivery services. Operates under the same California State Library framework as PLP.
• NorthNet Library System: One of the nine statutorily-designated California cooperative library systems, providing the same consortium services (grants, training, delivery, resource sharing) to its member libraries in Northern California. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and funding model to PLP.

Regional players

• Califa Library Group: California-based nonprofit library consortium that aggregates content, data, and professional development services for member libraries statewide. Comparable in mission and membership-driven model, but operates statewide rather than regionally.

Others

• LYRASIS: National nonprofit library technology and content organization that partners with PLP (e.g., on data privacy training) and serves as a peer/partner delivering training, content, and consulting services to libraries. Not a direct competitor but a parallel ecosystem participant.

Broad incumbents

• OCLC: Global library cooperative providing cataloging, interlibrary loan (WorldCat/WorldShare), and shared infrastructure to tens of thousands of libraries. Operates at vastly larger scale and offers overlapping resource-sharing and discovery services that complement (and sometimes substitute for) regional cooperative services like PLP's.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pacific-library-partnership

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Pacific Library Partnership