What Stark Library does

Stark Library (legal name Stark County District Library) is a public library system and political subdivision of the State of Ohio, organized under Ohio Revised Code and serving Stark County, Ohio. Founded in 1884 and headquartered at 1020 Market Ave. N, Canton, the system operates 10 branch locations plus mobile bookmobiles, 24/7 self-service lockers, and a books-by-mail program for homebound patrons, and is currently executing a Re|imagine initiative to build a new Main Library Campus. Under CEO and Executive Director Mary Ellen Icaza (since 2018), the library is governed by a Board of Trustees and staffed by 183 employees across branches and administrative functions.

The library's service portfolio spans physical and digital collections (books, audiobooks, movies, music, magazines), a Maker Studio offering 3D printing, laser cutting, and fabrication services, a Library of Things lending program, passport and notary services, genealogy and family history research, technology training, and free tutoring through K-3 Homework Help. Its technology backbone is the BiblioCommons platform, which powers the unified catalog, event management, user accounts, and digital content delivery, with additional integration into the SearchOhio and OhioLINK consortiums for statewide interlibrary loan. Flagship community programs include the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library affiliate (serving over 10,000 local children with monthly free books), the Speaking of Books author series, Summer Challenge, and partnership-based services such as Ohio Means Jobs career support and Direction Home Medicare counseling.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through local property tax levies and government appropriations rather than user fees — library cards are free for any Ohio resident who lives, works, or attends school in the service area, with only nominal fees for replacement materials, printing, and Maker Studio services and a $100 annual fee for out-of-state cards. The Stark Library Foundation and Friends of the Library chapters provide supplementary fundraising. Customer segments span all Stark County residents across age cohorts (early learners through older adults) plus educators, job seekers, entrepreneurs, and genealogists, with marketing delivered through the website, email newsletter, Instagram, blog content, community events, and partner organizations.

Name

Stark Library

Legal name

Stark County District Library

Website

https://starklibrary.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Stark Library is a public library district serving Stark County, Ohio through 10 branches, bookmobiles, and digital platforms, offering books, media, Maker Studio, job help, and literacy programs funded primarily by local tax levies.

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-Miscellaneous Business Services (7380)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community education programs
• Digital lending platform
• Maker space access
• Genealogy research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Canton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding and Tax Support: As a public library system, Stark Library operates primarily through local tax revenues and government funding rather than direct user fees

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Stark Library provides free public library services to Stark County, Ohio residents through 10 branch locations, mobile bookmobiles, 24/7 lockers, and digital platforms. Core offerings include physical and digital lending collections (books, audiobooks, movies, music, magazines), subscription research databases, Maker Studio fabrication services, Library of Things loans, early literacy programs, technology training, and community-focused services such as passport acceptance, notary, genealogy research, and meeting room rentals.

Product overview

Stark Library is a public library system serving Stark County, Ohio with 10 branch locations, bookmobiles, and comprehensive digital services. The portfolio includes physical and digital collections for borrowing (books, audiobooks, movies, music, magazines), maker/fabrication services (Maker Studio with 3D printing and other equipment), technology lending (Internet2Go hotspots, Library of Things), educational programs (homework help, technology training, genealogy services), special collections (Adventure Packs, museum passes), and community outreach (bookmobiles, Books by Mail, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library). The BiblioCommons-powered catalog integrates with SearchOhio/OhioLINK for interlibrary loan, while digital resources include databases for career development, language learning, automotive repair, legal forms, and genealogy research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physical Library Collections Physical books, audiobooks, movies, music, magazines, newspapers, graphic novels, and other materials available for borrowing across 10 branch locations and bookmobiles, serving Stark County residents.
• Digital Collections and Downloads E-books, e-audiobooks, digital magazines, streaming video, and downloadable content accessible through the library's catalog and Stream & Download platform, available to library card holders.
• Research Databases and Online Resources Subscription databases including LinkedIn Learning, Ancestry Library Edition, Consumer Reports, Mango Languages, Chilton Auto Repair, Legal Forms, and newspaper archives accessible with a library card.
• Maker Studio Fabrication services including 3D printing, laser cutting, vinyl cutting, button making, laminating, poster printing, and DVD/CD services available at the Main Library location.
• Library of Things Collection of loanable items including tools, equipment, and specialty items that patrons can borrow for home use, expanding access beyond traditional media.
• Bookmobiles and Mobile Services Mobile library services that bring books, movies, music, and programming to underserved neighborhoods, schools, and community events throughout Stark County.
• Museum and Adventure Passes Free or discounted passes to local museums, attractions, and parks including Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, allowing patrons to access cultural experiences.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Early literacy program that provides free age-appropriate books monthly to children from birth to age five, with over 10,000 Stark County children enrolled.
• Speaking of Books Author Series Author speaking series featuring notable authors including Mitch Albom, Josh Peck, and Joan Lunden, bringing literary programming to the community.
• Internet2Go Mobile internet hotspot lending program providing patrons without home internet access the ability to borrow portable Wi-Fi devices.
• Passport Services Acceptance of passport applications and photo services at the Main Library location, providing convenient government services for the community.
• Notary Services Free notary services available at library locations for patrons needing documents notarized.
• Genealogy and Family History Services Research assistance, Ancestry Library Edition access, military records, and Stark Memory digital archive for genealogical research and family history exploration.
• Technology Training Computer classes, technology workshops, and individual assistance helping patrons develop digital literacy skills including internet and software training.
• Homework Help
• Meeting and Study Rooms Reservable rooms at library locations for community groups, educational activities, and civic events with varying capacities.
• Books by Mail Free mail delivery service for homebound patrons who cannot visit library locations, selecting materials based on reading interests.
• 24/7 Library Lockers Secure outdoor lockers allowing patrons to pick up and return library materials outside regular business hours.

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dolly Parton's Imagination LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStark Library serves as the local affiliate for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, providing free age-appropriate books monthly to over 10,000 Stark County children from birth until age five. This program is a flagship community literacy initiative.
• Ohio Means JobscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership connecting job seekers and entrepreneurs with employment resources, career services, and business development support through the library system.
• SearchOhio & OhioLINKcoreTechnology or IntegrationResource sharing consortium allowing Stark Library patrons to access materials from libraries across Ohio through interlibrary loan services.
• BiblioCommonscoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatform provider powering Stark Library's website, catalog, event management, user accounts, and digital content services.
• Direction HomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedicare assistance program providing expert guidance on coverage and costs through library-based counseling sessions.
• Friends of the Library (Lake Community Branch)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVolunteer organization supporting library programs through book sales, fundraising, sponsorships, and community financial support.
• Stark Library FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit foundation providing fundraising, grant support, and financial resources for library programs and services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cleveland Public Library: Ohio urban public library system with a long-established multi-branch footprint, special collections, and strong digital and genealogy services — comparable in mission and Ohio-specific funding environment.
• Toledo Lucas County Public Library: Northwest Ohio county library system offering branches, bookmobile services, and digital resources to Lucas County. Comparable to Stark Library in geography, Rust-Belt demographic context, and Ohio levy funding model.
• Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County: Major Ohio metropolitan/county library system offering branches, maker spaces, digital lending, and community programming under the same Ohio Revised Code governance structure as Stark Library.
• Dayton Metro Library: Ohio metropolitan library system with multi-branch operations, maker programs, and community partnerships funded through local tax levies. Comparable scale and operating model to Stark Library.
• Columbus Metropolitan Library: Ohio metropolitan public library system with a similar multi-branch, multi-channel service model including maker spaces, digital collections, and community programming. Direct operational peer in the same state funding and governance framework.
• Akron-Summit County Public Library: Northeast Ohio county library system serving Summit County with branches, mobile services, and digital resources. Closest geographic peer to Stark Library with comparable scale and county-wide service mandate.
• Cuyahoga County Public Library: Large Ohio-based county public library system serving Cuyahoga County with multiple branches, bookmobile services, and digital lending. Highly comparable in mission, funding model (Ohio property tax levies), and service mix to Stark Library.
• MidPointe Library System: Ohio regional library system serving multiple counties west of Stark with branches, digital services, and consortium participation. Comparable community-led library operating model in the same state.

Broad incumbents

• New York Public Library: Larger US public library system with extensive branches, special collections, and educational programming. A broader incumbent peer that offers the same core library services but at materially greater scale and geographic breadth than Stark Library.
• Chicago Public Library: Major US municipal public library system with broad programming, maker spaces, digital lending, and community partnerships. Comparable in service breadth but operates at significantly larger scale as a broad incumbent peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/starklibrary

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Stark Library