Upper Chichester Library

What Upper Chichester Library does

Upper Chichester Library is a non-profit community public library serving residents of Upper Chichester Township, Pennsylvania, and students in the Chichester School District. The library operates on a low-friction membership model — a $5 annual fee — supplemented by individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and minor service charges for printing and copying. Its user base is concentrated in the surrounding township, with programming and outreach oriented to families and school-age children.

The library's core offering combines physical collections (books, magazines, audiobooks) with digital lending via cloudLibrary, on-site WiFi, mobile printing through Princh, and an AWE Learning children's workstation. Operational technology is anchored by a ByWater Solutions integrated library system that manages catalog and circulation. Recent programmatic additions include STEM kits sourced from WEE Build and a hot spot rental program that extends the library's role into broadband access.

Revenue mechanics depend on a mix of small-ticket memberships, community donations, and corporate sponsorships. Notable recent supporters include Walmart ($2,000 donation) and the Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Memorial Fund (2025-2026 sponsorship). The library is pursuing a capital campaign to fund a new facility space, with operational leadership held by Library Director Terri Smedile, who assumed the role in 2023. The organization is small (estimated 1-10 employees) and operates as a community institution rather than a commercial enterprise.

Name

Upper Chichester Library

Legal name

Upper Chichester Library

Website

https://upperchichesterlibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Upper Chichester Library is a non-profit community public library in Pennsylvania serving township residents and Chichester School District students with books, digital lending, WiFi, mobile printing, and STEM programming, funded by $5 memberships, donations, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210), Libraries and Archives (51921), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

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), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community library programs
• Digital book lending
• Children literacy programs
• Educational resource center

Headquarters

HQ city

Delaware Water Gap

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: $5 annual membership fee required for access to library services including book borrowing, computer access, DVD rentals, and program participation
2. Service Fees: Fees for ancillary services including DVD rentals ($1/3 days), printing ($0.25 B&W, $1 color), faxing ($1/page), and scanning ($1/page)
3. Donations and Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors and individual donors contribute to library operations and programs; Walmart donated $2000; event sponsorship from Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Memorial Fund
4. Endowments: Memorial endowments provide ongoing financial support in remembrance of community members such as Jean Dorschu, Karl Dorschu, George Matuszewski, and others

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Upper Chichester Library operates an independent, nonprofit public community library providing physical and digital lending of books, CDs, DVDs, e-books, and audiobooks, along with public computer access, mobile printing, document services, and educational programming for all ages. Access is gated by a $5 annual membership fee, and operations are sustained by community donations, corporate sponsorships, and memorial endowments.

Product overview

Upper Chichester Library is a public community library offering a unified set of physical and digital lending services. The core offerings include the ByWater Solutions-powered online catalog, Cloud Library e-book and audiobook collection (50,000+ titles), physical book/CD/DVD borrowing, public computers, and early literacy stations. Supporting services include mobile printing via Princh, hotspot rentals, print/fax/scan services, and newspapers. The library also provides educational programming including storytimes, book clubs, STEM activities, arts and crafts, and teen-focused resources including test preparation materials. The $5 annual membership fee provides access to all core services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Catalog and Account Access Online catalog and account management system powered by ByWater Solutions, allowing members to browse, search, reserve, and manage their library accounts using their library card barcode.
• E-Book and Audiobook Digital Lending Collection Digital lending service via the cloudLibrary platform providing members free access to over 50,000 e-book and audiobook titles covering all ages and genres, accessed using a 14-digit library card barcode.
• Book and CD Borrowing Physical lending of print books, books on CD, and music CDs for 3-week periods to members, with a wide variety of selections for all ages.
• DVD Rentals Rental of DVD titles at $1 per title for 3 days; G-rated family movies are free for 3 days.
• Print, Fax, Copy, and Scan Services Walk-up document services for members priced at $0.25 per B&W page printed, $1.00 per color page printed, $1.00 per page faxed, and $1.00 per page scanned.
• Mobile Hotspot Rental Rental of portable WiFi hotspot devices provided by Mobile Beacon, giving patrons internet access they can use off-premises.
• Public Computer Access Five internet-ready Windows computers with Microsoft Office available for member use on the library premises.
• Early Literacy Stations Two AWE Early Literacy Stations for children ages 2-12 designed to support early reading development through interactive educational content.
• STEM Play-Kits Educational play kits (including Magnatiles and builder-style toys) donated by WEE Build for ages 0-12, available for free 3-week borrowing by members.
• Mobile Printing Remote printing service allowing patrons to print documents from any phone, tablet, or computer using the Princh platform, or color printing via eW Prints by emailing [email protected].
• Daily Newspaper Collection On-site access to daily newspapers including the Delaware County Daily Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times (Sunday edition).
• Children's Story Hours and Live Streamed Programs Recurring storytime sessions (Storytime with Miss Nancy, Books and Babies with Miss Sara, Storytime with Ms. Pam) plus Upper Chi Live streamed programming including Play on Music with Mr. Andrew, Art Parties with Teresa, and Crochet a Long with Hannah.
• Adult Book Club Monthly member book club meetings discussing selected titles such as Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeque Johnson.
• Wool Gatherings Craft Program Weekly Thursday gathering for yarn and fiber arts activities at the library.
• Summer Reading Program Seasonal summer reading program for children featuring events, activities, and access to Chichester School District Summer Reading books.
• Teen Educational Resources Teen-focused academic support including free SAT and PSAT practice tests, ACT test preparation, FAFSA application assistance, and Sallie Mae educational loan information.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50,000 e-book and audio book titles available

Named customers2 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

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Chichester Rotary ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Rotary chapter supports the library through community service and promotion. Members meet Wednesdays at 7am at Creekside Village.
• Chichester Business AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness association supports local businesses and residents in Upper and Lower Chichester, including promoting library services to the community.
• Dever ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal architectural firm that has provided design services as a sponsor/donor to the library.
• Boates Brothers General ContractingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal general contracting company listed as a sponsor supporting the library.
• Memorial Presbyterian ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for library events including magician performances; provides community space for programming.
• WEE BuildminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated STEM kits for ages 0-12 that can be borrowed at no cost for 3-week increments, supporting early childhood education.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Major Pennsylvania public library system serving Pittsburgh with 19+ locations. Same product category (community library services, programming, digital lending) at vastly greater scale; provides benchmarks for funding, hours, and program breadth.
• Delaware County Library System: The county-wide cooperative library system under which Upper Chichester and peer Delaware County libraries coordinate. Provides shared services, interlibrary loan, and e-resource access that defines the operational backdrop for all Delaware County public libraries including UCL.
• Free Library of Philadelphia: Major Philadelphia public library system with 50+ branches. Operates the same core services (lending, digital, programming, community education) at much larger scale, making it the regional incumbent whose operating hours and breadth set the competitive baseline UCL must contend with.

Direct peers

• Chester Public Library: Independent public library serving Chester, Delaware County, PA. Comparable as a community-scale nonprofit library operating physical and digital lending plus programming for an underserved local population.
• Springfield Township Library (Delaware County): Public library serving Springfield Township in Delaware County, PA. Comparable suburban Philadelphia township library model, similar funding mix of municipal support and fundraising, similar patron demographics.
• Ridley Township Public Library: Single-site public library serving Ridley Township in Delaware County, PA. Highly comparable scale and operations: small staff, donor-funded, serves a contiguous suburban community in the same county.
• Marcus Hook Public Library: Small independent public library serving Marcus Hook borough in Delaware County, PA. Comparable footprint, donor-funded revenue model, and community library function in an adjacent Delaware County municipality.
• Lower Chichester Free Public Library: Neighboring small public library to Lower Chichester Township in Delaware County, PA. Closely comparable scale, funding model (independent nonprofit), service offering, and catchment profile — the most direct demographic mirror to UCL.
• Aston Public Library: Small, independent public library in Aston Township, Delaware County, PA. Directly comparable as a single-location, township-level nonprofit public library serving a similar suburban Philadelphia community with similar service mix (book lending, programs, community space).

Emerging players

• Internet Archive: Digital library and archive offering free access to ebooks, audiobooks, and other media online. Adjacent to UCL's mission of providing free community access to information and digital lending — represents the longer-term digital alternative that complements or competes with public-library digital lending platforms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/upperchichesterlibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/upper-chichester-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Upper Chichester Library