Indiana Library Federation

What Indiana Library Federation does

Indiana Library Federation (ILF) is a statewide nonprofit membership organization headquartered at 6510 Telecom Drive, Suite 200, Indianapolis, Indiana, representing public, school, academic, and special libraries across the state. With over 2,000 personal, institutional, trustee, and business affiliate members, ILF is the largest library organization in Indiana and operates around four strategic pillars: Advocacy, Professional Development, Awards & Recognition, and Member Services, with a DEIJA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice & Accessibility) commitment woven throughout. The organization provides legislative advocacy, an annual conference, continuing education programs yielding Library Education Units (LEUs), book award programs (Young Hoosier Book Award, Eliot Rosewater Book Award, Read Aloud Program), scholarships, and resource portals covering intellectual freedom, DEIJA, and mental health.

ILF's core products and services include tiered individual memberships ($40-$120 annually based on salary), institutional memberships for public libraries (dues set at 0.0006% of operating fund expenditures) and academic libraries ($100-$500 by enrollment), affiliate memberships for vendors ($100), and event-based revenue from conferences ($285-$405 per attendee), workshops ($55 per person), and the eight-week Management Cohort Series ($175). The organization operates three affiliated divisions—AISLE for school librarians, IALA for academic librarians, and IPLA for public library directors—and recently launched Crossroads: The Journal of Indiana Libraries, a peer-reviewed open-access scholarly journal co-published with academic library partners. Technology infrastructure is built on the MemberClicks membership management platform handling enrollment, renewals, profile management, and event registration.

ILF generates revenue primarily through recurring annual membership dues, supplemented by event registration, workshop tuition, conference sponsorship and exhibitor fees, and foundation grants including a Herbert Simon Family Foundation grant supporting 2026-2027 trustee and administrator training. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and membership-based, with self-serve website enrollment and direct outreach during annual renewal periods. Leadership includes Executive Director Kyle Hickman, Vice President Austin Stroud, and Advocacy Co-Chairs Vanessa Martin and Julie Wendorf. The organization employs 1-10 staff and operates with no parent company, no venture capital ownership, and no disclosed funding rounds.

Name

Indiana Library Federation

Legal name

Indiana Library Federation

Website

https://ilfonline.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Indiana Library Federation is a statewide nonprofit membership organization serving over 2,000 public, school, academic, and special library professionals across Indiana through legislative advocacy, professional development, conferences, scholarships, and member resource portals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Library Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK)

Keywords

• Library association services
• Professional development programs
• Legislative advocacy services
• Continuing education workshops
• Membership organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues collected from individuals (tiered by salary from $40-$120), students ($21 joint with ALA), retired/unemployed ($45), and affiliates ($100 for vendors). Institutional memberships for public and academic libraries based on operating expenditures or student enrollment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Indiana Library Federation (ILF) is a statewide nonprofit membership association that provides advocacy, professional development, conferences, continuing education, scholarships, awards, and resource programs to library professionals, trustees, and library institutions across Indiana. It sells individual, institutional, student, and affiliate memberships along with event registrations, training workshops, and specialized programs such as book awards and intellectual freedom initiatives.

Product overview

Indiana Library Federation is a statewide nonprofit organization representing public, school, academic, and special libraries throughout Indiana. It is the largest library organization in Indiana with over 2,000 personal, institutional, trustee, and business affiliate members. ILF functions as a professional association offering membership services, annual conferences, education and professional development programs (including LEU-eligible workshops and the Management Cohort Series), book awards (Young Hoosier Book Awards, Eliot Rosewater Book Award, Read Aloud Program), advocacy services, scholarships, awards recognition, and resource collections covering DEIJA, intellectual freedom, and mental health. The organization also publishes Crossroads: The Journal of Indiana Libraries in partnership with academic library associations. ILF operates affiliated divisions including AISLE for school librarians, IALA for academic librarians, and IPLA for public library directors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AISLE: Association of Indiana School Library Educators - an affiliation of ILF that promotes school library media centers and fosters professional growth
• IALA
• IPLA
• Indiana FREADOM to Read
• Crossroads: The Journal of Indiana Libraries

Products and services

• ILF Membership Services Annual membership programs for individual librarians, institutional libraries (public and academic), trustees, students, and affiliate business partners, providing access to conferences, professional development, advocacy, and member resources.
• ILF Annual Conference Annual three-day statewide conference bringing together library professionals, staff, trustees, and partners for keynote speakers, professional development sessions, and exhibitor opportunities.
• Education and Professional Development (LEUs) Continuing education programs including workshops, cohorts, webinars, and Library Education Unit (LEU) eligible trainings covering management, budgeting, advocacy, and other library topics.
• Advocacy Services Legislative advocacy on behalf of Indiana libraries, including policy positions, legislative updates, Statehouse Day events, and collaboration with lawmakers on library funding and intellectual freedom.
• 2026 Budget Workshop Annual one-day workshop on library budget management led by Department of Local Government Finance staff and the ILF budget tactical team, eligible for LEUs.
• Management Cohort Series Eight-week live online program teaching management principles including emotional intelligence, team building, conflict resolution, change management, and project management for aspiring directors and middle management.
• ILF Awards and Scholarships Recognition programs honoring outstanding librarians, library staff, volunteers, and supporters, along with scholarships for library education and professional development including the Esther Schlundt Memorial Scholarship, Sue Marsh Weller Memorial Scholarship, and David Dickey Continuing Education Award.
• Young Hoosier Book Award Program Reading incentive program encouraging self-selected reading among elementary and middle school students in Indiana, with winners selected through student voting across Picture Books, Intermediate, and Middle Grade categories.
• Eliot Rosewater Book Award Annual book award program for Indiana high school readers promoting quality young adult literature.
• Mental Health Resources for Librarians Mental health support resources provided in partnership with Mental Health America of Indiana (MHAI) and Emberwood Center, including telehealth therapy, peer recovery support, and crisis intervention resources for library staff.
• Career Center Job board and career resources for library professionals, including job listings, interview preparation materials, graduate education guidance, and librarian certification information.
• Crossroads: The Journal of Indiana Libraries Peer-reviewed open access scholarly journal publishing Articles, Case Studies, Essays, and Practice Notes about library services in Indiana.

Quantifiable outcome

• Indiana libraries serve millions of residents annually with literacy, workforce development, technology access, and community resources
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Taft Public AffairscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerILF's contracted legislative advocates providing statehouse advocacy, bill tracking, and policy support. Taft Communications provides regular reports and maintains a bill tracking list for ILF members.
• Mental Health America of Indiana (MHAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership providing mental health resources, telehealth therapy, peer recovery support, and skills training for Indiana librarians and library staff.
• Emberwood CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through MHAI providing telehealth therapy, emotional support groups, and skills training for library professionals.
• Herbert Simon Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation grant supporting 2026-2027 Library Trustee & School Administrator training programs and resources.
• Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLGF staff contribute to ILF's annual Budget Workshop, providing expertise on property tax reform and budget requirements.
• Indiana Black Librarians Network (IBLN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in publishing Crossroads: The Journal of Indiana Libraries - a peer-reviewed open access scholarly journal.
• Academic Libraries of Indiana (ALI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in publishing Crossroads: The Journal of Indiana Libraries.
• Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in publishing Crossroads: The Journal of Indiana Libraries.
• Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndiana Chapter affiliation through IALA - IALA acts as the agent for ACRL's Indiana Chapter, a division of American Library Association.
• American Library Association (ALA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoint student membership program offering combined ILF and ALA membership. Also provides intellectual freedom resources, standards, and professional development through OIF and AASL.
• Hyatt Regency IndianapolisminorOthersVenue partner for ILF's 2026 Annual Conference in downtown Indianapolis.
• HedgesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining delivery partner for 2026-2027 Library Trustee & School Administrator In-Person Trainings.
• MemberClickscoreTechnology or IntegrationMembership management platform used for member profiles, registration, renewals, and event management.
• Indiana State LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing archived webinars, certifications, and career resources for Indiana librarians.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Library Association: National umbrella library association that ILF explicitly affiliates with (joint student membership, IALA acts as Indiana ACRL chapter) — a larger incumbent operating broadly across all 50 states in ILF's exact domain.
• Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA): National association of state library agency heads — adjacent to ILF in the library ecosystem and a natural peer for executive-level programming, though its members are state agencies rather than individual librarians.

Direct peers

• Ohio Library Council: Ohio's statewide library association providing legislative advocacy, professional development, and member services to public, school, and academic libraries — directly comparable structure and scope to ILF.
• Wisconsin Library Association: Statewide library membership organization in another neighboring Midwest state, providing advocacy, conferences, and awards — directly comparable to ILF in scope and operating model.
• Michigan Library Association: State-level library association serving Michigan's public, academic, school, and special libraries through advocacy, conferences, and continuing education — mirroring ILF's mission and operating model.
• Illinois Library Association: Statewide nonprofit membership association serving Illinois library professionals with advocacy, CE, conferences, and awards — the closest functional analog to ILF in a neighboring Midwest state.
• Minnesota Library Association: Midwest state library association offering advocacy, professional development, awards, and intellectual freedom resources — a structural peer serving a similar Midwestern public/school/academic library mix.

Regional players

• Pennsylvania Library Association: State library association serving Pennsylvania's library community through advocacy, conferences, and professional development — comparable functions and structure but operating in a different geographic region than ILF.
• New York Library Association: Large state-level library association operating in a different region from ILF but with comparable functions — advocacy, conferences, CE, awards — making it a relevant structural comparator.

Emerging players

• Urban Libraries Council: Membership organization focused specifically on urban public libraries with advocacy, leadership, and innovation programs — a segment-focused peer relevant to ILF's urban Indiana library members.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ilfonline
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/indiana-library-federation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries5 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 Indiana Library Federation