Gail Borden Public Library

What Gail Borden Public Library does

Gail Borden Public Library District is a tax-funded governmental library system organized under Illinois state law, serving the Elgin, Illinois area and surrounding Kane County communities. Founded in 1873 when Samuel and Alfred Church donated a building to Elgin Township in honor of their stepfather Gail Borden, the library has operated continuously for over 135 years. The library operates three physical locations: the 153,826 sq ft Main Library in downtown Elgin (opened 2003 at a construction cost of $29.8 million), the LEED Gold certified Rakow Branch (opened August 15, 2009, as the library's first branch in its history), and the South Elgin Branch (originally opened July 24, 2016 at 4,275 sq ft, expanded and reopened June 21, 2025 at 11,700 sq ft). The library serves a district population of 144,597 with 99,637 active cardholders, attracting approximately 1.2 million visitors annually and circulating 2.3 million items per year.

The library's core technology platform centers on the Aspen Discovery-powered catalog and a 24/7 eLibrary aggregating digital content through partnerships with Hoopla, cloudLibrary, Libby (OverDrive), Kanopy, PressReader, Freegal Music, BiblioBoard, AudioBookCloud, TumbleBook Library, TumbleMath, PebbleGo, LOTE4Kids, and Tutor.com. The Digital Media Lab (Studio 270) provides professional content creation tools including Apple iMacs, Canon cameras, greenscreen equipment, and Adobe Creative Suite 6, Final Cut Pro X, and Logic Pro Studio X software. Service delivery extends beyond physical branches through a Bookmobile on a two-week rotation, a TechKnow Mobile for technology assistance, home delivery services for residents with illness or disability, drive-up services, and a Library of Things circulating hotspots, Chromebooks, Rokus, and telescopes. The library holds the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation's highest honor for libraries.

The library operates under a tax-funded revenue model with district residents receiving free access to core services through local property taxes. Supplemental revenue derives from nominal transaction fees (wireless printing at $0.20 per page, replacement cards, non-resident contract cards priced by equalized assessed valuation), the affiliated Gail Borden Public Library Foundation (established 1993) which channels donations, planned giving, and proceeds from Gail's Sales (used books, games, and movies), and intergovernmental grants. The customer base spans six segments — general public, children (birth-12), teenagers (grades 6-12), older adults, educators, and the Spanish-speaking community — with services tailored to each including KidSpace, Studio 270, the Older Adult Services program, teacher resources, and multilingual collections in ten or more languages.

Name

Gail Borden Public Library

Legal name

Gail Borden Public Library District

Website

https://gailborden.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

1873

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Gail Borden Public Library District is a tax-funded public library system serving 144,597 residents across Elgin, Illinois and surrounding Kane County through three branches, mobile services, and a 24/7 digital eLibrary, offering books, media, educational programs, and community partnerships to diverse demographic segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (519), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

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), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital library access
• Children's literacy programs
• Community education classes
• Library circulation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Elgin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Library District Funding: As a public library district, Gail Borden Public Library is primarily funded through local property taxes from residents within the library district boundaries. This provides the core operating budget for all services, collections, and facilities.
2. Library Card and Service Fees: Nominal fees for services such as wireless printing ($0.20 per page), replacement card fees, and interlibrary loan fees when applicable. Non-resident card purchase options available for those outside the district.
3. Foundation Donations and Fundraising: The Gail Borden Public Library Foundation supports the library through donations, planned giving, and fundraising events. Proceeds from Gail's Sales (used books, games, movies) support library activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gail Borden Public Library District operates as a public library system serving Elgin and surrounding areas in Illinois with three physical branches, a Bookmobile, and a TechKnow Mobile. It provides free access to physical collections (books, DVDs, video games, Library of Things), digital content streaming, computer/technology access, educational programs for all ages, and ancillary services such as passport applications and license plate renewal. The library is funded primarily through local property taxes and supported by the affiliated Gail Borden Public Library Foundation.

Product overview

Gail Borden Public Library District is a three-location public library system (Main Library, Rakow Branch, South Elgin Branch) offering comprehensive library services including physical and digital collections, technology services, and community programs. The core product portfolio includes the Library Catalog (powered by Aspen Discovery), the 24/7 eLibrary digital portal, and physical/digital collections spanning books, media, and specialized items. Key service products include KidSpace (children's services), Studio 270 (teen creative space), the Digital Media Lab (media creation), Technology Classes (adult education), and Older Adult Services. Digital content is delivered through multiple platforms including Hoopla (streaming), cloudLibrary/Libby (eBooks), Kanopy (video), PressReader (magazines), Tutor.com (homework help), TumbleBook Library/TumbleMath (children's digital books), PebbleGo (K-2 research), and LOTE4Kids (world language learning). The library also provides community-focused services like Passport Services, License Plate Renewal, Wireless Printing, Bookmobile, TechKnow Mobile, Home Services, and Room Reservations. A Library of Things circulates technology items including hotspots and Chromebooks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gail Borden Public Library Foundation: A nonprofit organization established in 1993 to provide resources and financial support to extend and improve library services and collections. The Foundation supports reading initiatives, exhibits, capital projects, and raises funds through book sales and donations.

Products and services

• Library Card (District Residents) Free library card providing district residents access to physical collections, digital resources, programs, and computer use within the Gail Borden Public Library District.
• Non-Resident Contract Card Annual subscription card for individuals outside the library district, with fee based on the equalized assessed valuation of residence, granting access to library services.
• Bookmobile Service Mobile library bus that brings the full range of library services to neighborhoods, apartment complexes, parks, and schools on a two-week rotation.
• TechKnow Mobile Mobile technology assistance vehicle offering circulating Wi-Fi hotspots, Chromebooks, print books, DVDs, and staff technology help at community locations.
• Home Delivery Service Free monthly delivery to district residents with temporary or permanent illness or disability who cannot visit the library.
• Media Dispenser (24/7 DVD and Game Dispenser) External self-service dispenser at the Rakow Branch operating 24/7, 365 days a year, allowing patrons to check out DVDs, Blu-rays, and video games.
• Wireless Printing Print from mobile devices, laptops, or home computers to any library location at $0.20 per page (black-and-white and color).
• Digital Media Lab Creative technology space with hardware including iMacs, DSLR cameras, camcorders, greenscreen, and software including Adobe Creative Suite and Final Cut Pro for video, music, and photo creation.
• Studio 270 Teen creative space at the Main Library with Macs, digital camera equipment, video game consoles, and multimedia creation tools for grades 6-12.
• KidSpace Children's area at the Main Library with developmentally appropriate toys, books in English and Spanish, and iPads for children from birth through 5th grade.
• Passport Services U.S. passport application acceptance by appointment, including photo services, available at the Main Library.
• License Plate Renewal Services Illinois license plate sticker renewal service allowing same-day pickup at the library.
• Room Reservations Study rooms and community rooms reservable up to a week in advance by library cardholders.
• Interlibrary Loan Service allowing patrons to borrow materials from other libraries through RAILS and LINKin Libraries consortium partnerships when items are not in the local collection.
• Tutor.com Live Homework Help Live online tutoring service for K-12 students, college students, and adults available 4pm-11pm daily in English and Spanish.
• Older Adult Services Programs and services for seniors including Device Advice, Memory Cafe, PhD Club, home delivery, and Life Enrichment volunteer programming at over 25 senior and developmental care communities.
• Technology Classes Technology education covering computer basics, Microsoft Office, cybersecurity, and special topics, available in-person and online through Niche Academy, Digital Learn, and GCF Learn Free.
• Summer Reading Program Annual reading challenge supporting literacy development and preventing summer learning loss, managed on the Beanstack platform.
• Battle of the Books Reading encouragement program for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students that promotes quality reading through competition.
• Library Catalog (Aspen Discovery) Online catalog for searching physical and digital collections, managing accounts, placing holds, and accessing MyAccount features, powered by Aspen Discovery.
• 24/7 eLibrary Round-the-clock digital resource portal offering ebooks, audiobooks, streaming video, music, magazines, and online databases through multiple integrated platforms.
• Library of Things Circulating collection of non-traditional items including hotspots, Chromebooks, Rokus, telescopes, and other technology items.
• World Language Collection Materials in multiple languages including Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Lao, Polish, Ukrainian, and Urdu, plus bilingual programs such as Go Bilingual.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.2 million annual visitors and 2.3 million items circulated
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration26 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hoopla (by Midwest Tape)coreTechnology or IntegrationDigital media partnership providing access to thousands of movies, music CDs, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and television programs through the Hoopla platform. Library cardholders can stream or download content on their devices.
• cloudLibrary (By Bibliotheca)coreTechnology or IntegrationeBook and eAudiobook platform partnership allowing users to browse, borrow, and read digital content across devices with automatic synchronization.
• Libby (By OverDrive)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Evanston Public Library as a partner library on Libby, expanding reading options for Gail Borden cardholders. Borrow ebooks and audiobooks to read on phones, tablets, or send to Kindle.
• KanopycoreTechnology or IntegrationOn-demand video streaming service featuring independent, international, classic, and documentary films from Criterion Collection, The Great Courses, PBS, and thousands of independent filmmakers.
• PressReadercoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital magazine and newspaper platform providing access to over 7,000 publications from 160+ countries with unlimited reading and daily new content.
• Tutor.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationLive homework help service connecting students K-12, college students, and adults with tutors for subjects including math, science, English, social studies, essay review, GED preparation, career services, and citizenship preparation. Available in English and Spanish.
• RAILS Library SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe library participates in the RAILS (Reaching Across Illinois Libraries) Reciprocal Borrowing Program, allowing residents to borrow materials from other public library districts in which they do not live or pay taxes.
• Elgin Partnership for Early Learning (EPEL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership developing the Getting Ready for Kindergarten Calendar, a tool offering activities to enhance school readiness skills. Partners include United Way of Elgin and library staff.
• AgeGuideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArea Agency on Aging partnership supporting older adult services and programming in the community.
• AgeOptionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting dementia-friendly initiatives and resources for older adults in the community.
• Dementia Friendly Elgin AreaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative initiative supporting individuals with cognitive impairment and their care partners through programming like the Elgin Memory Cafe.
• Elgin Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership providing workforce development resources and career services support for district residents.
• Illinois workNetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState workforce development partnership providing job search resources, training opportunities, and employment services.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Naperville Public Library: Large Illinois public library district serving a similarly affluent and growing suburban population. Operates multiple branches with extensive digital, maker, and programming offerings — directly comparable to Gail Borden's service portfolio.
• Evanston Public Library: Named mutual partner library on the Libby/OverDrive platform. Comparable Illinois urban-suburban library offering similar digital content, programming, and a similar service-area demographic profile.
• Arlington Heights Memorial Library: Award-winning Illinois suburban library with comparable digital breadth, programming, and community partnerships; comparable in population served and operating structure.
• Schaumburg Township District Library: Illinois township library district serving a comparably sized suburban community (~145K residents) with similar service breadth, technology offerings, and tax-funded operating model. Closest functional peer to Gail Borden in scale and operating structure.
• Skokie Public Library: Highly-rated Illinois suburban library known for strong digital content and community programming. Comparable scale and award-winning operating profile.

Broad incumbents

• Brooklyn Public Library: National innovation leader among public libraries in digital services, mobile outreach (Bookmobile), and multilingual programming. Useful innovation benchmark even though larger in scale.
• Hennepin County Library: Large suburban-urban Minnesota library system serving a comparable demographic mix with award-winning digital and outreach programs (Bookmobile, maker spaces). Comparable in innovation profile.
• Indianapolis Public Library: Mid-size urban library system serving a similar population scale with extensive digital and community programming; comparable in operating structure and innovation profile.
• Chicago Public Library: Major urban Illinois library system with broader geographic reach and the largest municipal scale in Illinois. Useful as a benchmark for digital breadth, programming scale, and capital reinvestment models.

Others

• Aspen Discovery (Bibliotheca): Vendor partner powering the library's catalog and account-management system. Adjacent ecosystem player enabling Gail Borden's digital discovery experience rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC8AhpSpvmX32QsGUwYiJMZA
• Facebookfacebook.com/gailbordenpubliclibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/gailbordenlibrary
• Xx.com/gailbrdnlibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gailbordenlibrary

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Gail Borden Public Library