Killingworth Library

What Killingworth Library does

Killingworth Library is a non-profit community public library serving Killingworth, Connecticut. Founded in 1964 and operating with 1–10 employees, it provides physical book lending, digital lending, programming, and community resources to local residents. Beyond traditional lending, the library has expanded into specialized service lines including a Library of Things (non-book item lending, associated with Suzanne Auer Walsh), a Tech Time Booking service, a museum pass program, a Digital Library of Local Artisans, and an 'Ask Tammy' reference service.

Its technology stack is largely vendor- and consortium-supplied rather than built in-house. The library runs its catalog through Biblio.org (hosted by the Bibliomation consortium), publishes its web presence on WordPress, and integrates with multiple third-party digital platforms including Hoopla, OverDrive/Libby, Palace (for e-books and audiobooks), and Mango Languages. Bibliomation membership provides shared cataloging, circulation, and IT infrastructure across Connecticut member libraries, reducing the library's in-house technology burden.

The library's revenue model is characteristic of a small-town American public library: it is primarily funded through municipal appropriations from the Town of Killingworth, supplemented by donations, fundraising events, and minor user-paid fees such as overdue fines, printing/copying charges, and museum pass rentals. It is governed as a public-benefit institution rather than a commercial entity, and serves the full Killingworth resident base as its customer set with no pricing tier or revenue concentration mechanics in a traditional commercial sense.

Name

Killingworth Library

Legal name

Killingworth Library Association

Website

https://killingworthlibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Killingworth Library is a non-profit community public library founded in 1964 in Killingworth, Connecticut, serving local residents with physical and digital lending, programming, and a growing suite of community services including a Library of Things and digital-literacy support.

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)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community library programs
• Digital lending platform
• Children's library programming
• Reference and research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Killingworth

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Municipal/Public Funding: As a public library, the Killingworth Library is primarily funded through municipal tax revenues and public funding sources. The library was established in 1964 and has been continuously operating as a community resource.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The library accepts charitable donations and conducts fundraising activities including an annual book sale, Friends Circle volunteer organization, and planned giving/endowment programs.
3. Fines and Fees: The library generates minor revenue through overdue fines and fees for library services such as room reservations, printing, and replacement cards.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Killingworth Library is a nonprofit community public library that lends physical and digital materials, including books, audiobooks, DVDs, and a "Library of Things" collection, to residents of Killingworth, Connecticut. It offers digital lending through Hoopla, Libby/OverDrive, and the Palace Project, plus reference services, museum passes, room reservations, and a range of book clubs and children's programs for all ages.

Product overview

The Killingworth Library operates as a traditional public library offering a unified set of physical and digital lending services. Its core offerings center on the Biblio.org-powered card catalog for physical materials (books, audiobooks, DVDs), complemented by three digital content platforms—Hoopla, Libby/OverDrive, and The Palace Project—for ebooks, eAudiobooks, music, and video. The library also provides specialty collections including the Suzanne Auer Walsh Library of Things (loanable non-book items) and museum passes, plus patron services such as room reservations, Tech Time technology assistance appointments, and reference services via the 'Ask Tammy' program. Supporting programs include book clubs (Mystery, Tuesday, and Homeschool variants for multiple age groups), children's programming, and the Digital Library of Local Artisans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Biblio.org Online Catalog Online catalog for browsing the library's physical collection of books, audiobooks, and DVDs, with patron login for account management, holds, and renewals.
• Hoopla Digital Content Digital lending platform providing ebooks, eAudiobooks, music, and video titles with simultaneous-use access for library card holders.
• Libby / OverDrive Digital Lending Digital ebook and audiobook lending service through the Libby app, including bonus borrows collections and the Big Library Read national initiative.
• The Palace Project Additional digital library platform offering ebook and digital content access to patrons through the Palace app.
• Suzanne Auer Walsh Library of Things Catalog of loanable non-traditional items beyond books and media that patrons can check out from the library.
• Museum Passes Loanable passes providing free or discounted admission to regional museums and cultural institutions for library patrons.
• Online Library Card Registration Online registration service allowing new patrons to obtain a library card without visiting the library in person.
• Room Reservations Patron-facing reservation system for library meeting rooms and spaces, managed through the LibCal scheduling platform.
• Tech Time One-on-One Assistance One-on-one technology assistance appointments with library staff, bookable through LibCal for help with devices, digital content, and library services.
• Ask Tammy Ready Reference Service Ready reference assistance provided by Assistant Director Tammy for factual information, schoolwork, reports, family history, and library service questions, available by email or phone.
• Book Clubs Recurring adult and youth book clubs including the Mystery Book Club, Tuesday Book Club, Homeschool Book Club (ages 9-14), and Itty-Bitty Book Club (ages 6-8).
• Children's Programming Children's programming including ABC Amigos Spanish program for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, Paws & Read reading therapy, and summer reading initiatives such as the Candyland Summer Reading Kickoff.
• Digital Library of Local Artisans Online showcase featuring work by local artists and craftspeople, celebrating and preserving community creative talent.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hoopla (Midwest Tape)coreTechnology or IntegrationHoopla provides the library's patrons with free access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, music, and video content. All titles in the hoopla Bonus Borrows collection are complimentary to libraries and cost patrons zero borrows. The library actively promotes Hoopla's special collections including bonus borrows and seasonal offerings.
• OverDrive/Libby (Bibliomation Consortium)coreTechnology or IntegrationOverDrive provides digital lending through the Libby app as part of the Bibliomation regional library consortium. Patrons can access thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks with their library card.
• Friends of the KLAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Friends Circle of Volunteers is a dedicated group of community members who support the library's daily operations and community outreach through volunteer service and advocacy.
• Killingworth Historical SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe library collaborates with the Killingworth Historical Society, featuring historical artifacts and hosting educational programs about local history.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chester Public Library: Tiny Connecticut public library in a small rural town offering similar community programs, museum passes, and digital lending via consortium participation — directly comparable scale and operating model.
• Essex Library Association: Small Connecticut shoreline public library with similar nonprofit association governance, museum passes, programming for all ages, and a comparable mix of physical and digital lending services.
• Middlebury Public Library: Another small Connecticut public library serving a single small town with comparable staff size, programming breadth, and digital lending setup.
• Durham Public Library: Adjacent Connecticut public library serving a similar small-town demographic with comparable physical lending, digital collections (Hoopla/OverDrive), and community programming. Most direct comparable in scale and mission.

Others

• OverDrive / Libby: Vendor/infrastructure peer providing the digital lending platform Killingworth relies on; comparable as the upstream technology supplier for ebook/audiobook distribution.
• Hoopla (Midwest Tape): Digital content platform partner providing simultaneous-use ebooks, audiobooks, music, and video to Killingworth patrons; comparable as a key upstream ecosystem enabler.

Regional players

• Haddam-Killingworth Library (via consortium): Closely linked school-region library in Killingworth's neighboring town; shares the same Bibliomation consortium for digital lending, making it a tightly comparable regional peer for catalog and digital operations.

Broad incumbents

• Bibliomation Consortium: Connecticut library consortium providing the shared Biblio.org catalog and OverDrive infrastructure to Killingworth and dozens of peer libraries; comparable as the operating backbone rather than as a competitor.
• Connecticut State Library: State-level library and information services authority providing statewide resources, research databases (ResearchIT CT), and policy/coordination support — comparable as a higher-tier institutional peer.
• New Haven Free Public Library: Larger Connecticut urban public library system offering a much broader catalog, multiple branches, and extensive programming; useful as a broad incumbent benchmark for what scale unlocks.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/killingworthlibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/killingworthlibrary/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/killingworth-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Killingworth Library