Bibliotheek Salland
Bibliotheek Salland is a non-profit Dutch public library foundation serving the Salland region across 5 municipalities, operating 5 branches and 4 pickup points. It provides physical and digital lending, language learning, digital inclusion, and community programs, funded primarily by municipal subsidies and membership subscriptions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersRaalte, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Bibliotheek Salland does
Bibliotheek Salland (Stichting Bibliotheek Salland) is a non-profit public library foundation headquartered in Raalte, Netherlands, serving the Salland region across the municipalities of Raalte, Ommen, and Olst-Wijhe. The foundation was established on January 1, 2020 through the merger of Stichting Bibliotheek Salland and Stichting Openbare Bibliotheek Ommen, and operates as an ANBI-registered charitable institution. It runs a distributed network of 9 locations: 5 full-service branches (Raalte, Ommen, Olst, Heino, Wijhe) and 4 pickup points (Heeten, Luttenberg, Nieuw Heeten, Mariënheem), staffed by 31 paid employees and supported by 201 volunteers and 135 language coaches.
The organization delivers physical lending (up to 15 items per member for 3-week periods), digital lending through the Online Bibliotheek platform (over 35,000 e-books and audiobooks), free computer and WiFi access, printing services, study spaces, and a broad suite of community programs including Taalpunt (Dutch language coaching), Taalcafé, Digitaal Café, IDO (government digital services helpdesk), VoorleesExpress, and Expeditie (digital literacy for children). Its technology stack is built on the Wise integrated library management system provided by Rijnbrink, with patron-facing tools including the Wise mobile app, the Mijn Bibliotheek web portal, and the BiebApp for pay-per-borrow use without membership. Self-service checkout stations and extended self-service hours reduce staffing requirements at branches.
The business model combines recurring membership subscriptions (€4.75/month or €56/year; free for youth under 18 and free basic tier for computer/WiFi access only), public subsidies from the three served municipalities, transactional fees (BiebApp at €2/item, printing at €0.20-€0.40/page), and partner-supported programming. The foundation became fine-free on January 1, 2026, removing late fees to lower borrowing barriers. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and the foundation does not have parent companies, subsidiaries, or external funding rounds; it is overseen by a five-member Raad van Toezicht and led by directeur-bestuurder Sabine Tielenius Kruythoff.
Bibliotheek Salland firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bibliotheek Salland
- Legal name
- Stichting Bibliotheek Salland
- Website
- https://bibliotheeksalland.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Bibliotheek Salland is a non-profit Dutch public library foundation serving the Salland region across 5 municipalities, operating 5 branches and 4 pickup points. It provides physical and digital lending, language learning, digital inclusion, and community programs, funded primarily by municipal subsidies and membership subscriptions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bibliotheek Salland industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK), Library & Education Audiobook Distribution (Public Libraries, Schools, Academic) (MPAJAIAE)
Keywords
Where Bibliotheek Salland is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Raalte
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices9 records
Markets served
Bibliotheek Salland business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Membership subscriptions: Monthly (€4.75) and annual (€56) subscriptions providing unlimited physical and digital borrowing privileges. Free basic membership for computer/wifi access only.
- Pay-per-borrow (BiebApp): Non-members pay €2 per item borrowed via BiebApp, with first two items free. Maximum 3 items simultaneously.
- Printing and copying services: A4 printing at €0.20 (B&W) and €0.40 (color) per page
- Public subsidies: Government funding from municipalities (Raalte, Ommen, Olst-Wijhe) as ANBI-registered cultural institution
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Free | Free basic membership for computer and wifi access |
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly subscription with unlimited lending |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual subscription with best value pricing |
| Freemium | Free | Free membership for youth up to age 18 |
| Subscription | Annual | Home delivery service for immobile patrons |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pay-per-borrow without membership |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Bibliotheek Salland product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bibliotheek Salland is a public library foundation operating 5 full-service branches and 4 pickup points across 5 municipalities in the Salland region of the Netherlands. It offers physical and digital lending of books, e-books, and audiobooks, alongside language learning programs (Taalpunt), digital skills helpdesks (Digitaal Café and IDO), reading promotion for children (VoorleesExpress), home delivery (Boek aan Huis), and community activities for all ages.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Physical Library Lending (Fysiek Lenen) Traditional borrowing of physical materials including books, magazines, DVDs, and music CDs from any of the library's 9 locations and pickup points across the Salland region. Members may borrow up to 15 items simultaneously for a 3-week loan period.
- Mijn Bibliotheek (Online Account Portal) Patron-facing online portal for managing personal data, viewing and renewing borrowed items, reserving materials, managing wish lists, and topping up credit.
- Wise App Mobile application for catalog search, material reservation, and renewal that mirrors Mijn Bibliotheek functionality on smartphones and tablets. Available for iOS and Android.
- BiebApp Pay-per-loan mobile app enabling non-members to borrow physical library materials using a smartphone at self-service counters. Costs €2.00 per loan; first two loans are free. Maximum 3 items simultaneously, 3-week loan period.
- Boek aan Huis (Home Delivery Service) Home delivery of library materials for members who cannot visit due to illness, disability, or reduced mobility. A dedicated contact person selects materials based on reading preferences, with materials exchanged every 6 weeks.
- Online Bibliotheek (E-books and Audiobooks) Digital lending platform providing access to over 35,000 e-books and audiobooks. Members may borrow up to 10 e-books and 10 audiobooks simultaneously for 21 days.
- Online Cursussen (Digital Courses) Members receive 2 free online courses per year through the Online Bibliotheek platform covering topics such as personal effectiveness, Excel, BHV, customer orientation, and positive psychology.
- Digitaal Café (DC) Drop-in helpdesk for computer, tablet, smartphone, and app questions, providing guidance on using online library services. Staffed by trained volunteers across multiple locations on varying schedules.
- Informatiepunt Digitale Overheid (IDO) Government digital services assistance point helping citizens with DigiD, tax returns, healthcare, employment, driver's license renewal, and AOW applications. Staffed by trained volunteers; no appointment needed.
- Taalpunt (Language Learning Center) Free language coaching and literacy support for Dutch language learners and native speakers. Includes Taalcafé conversation sessions, one-on-one coaching, workplace language programs, and short-term projects.
- VoorleesExpress 20-week home reading program pairing volunteer readers with families of children aged 2.5–12 who have language development needs. Volunteers visit weekly to read, play language games, and introduce families to the library.
- Expeditie (Digital Skills Program) Weekly Wednesday program for children aged 4–12 to experiment with digital games, exploring themes such as media, robots, gaming, algorithms, and digital storytelling.
Quantifiable outcome
- No late fees (boetevrij) as of January 1, 2026
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Bibliotheek Salland
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Bibliotheek Salland technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature3 records
Bibliotheek Salland partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Het Zand (care spectrum)coreWeekly collaborative program at Het Weijtendaal care facility in Wijhe where Taalpunt volunteers and statushouders (refugee volunteers) assist residents with Dutch language practice through walking conversations and social activities, combining language learning with social care and integration.
- RijnbrinkcoreTechnology provider for the Wise integrated library management system used for catalog, circulation, member accounts, and the Wise app. Also provides recruitment platform for library vacancies.
- Online Bibliotheek (Probiblio)coreNational digital library platform providing access to 35,000+ e-books, audiobooks, and online courses. Developed and maintained by Probiblio, also provides BiebApp technology for borrowing without membership.
- Schools in Raalte, Olst-Wijhe, and OmmencoreEducational partnerships for reading promotion including VoorleesExpress (20-week home reading program), Nationale Voorleeswedstrijd school competitions, school library support, and educational workshops on digital literacy.
- WijZ WelzijnminorCollaboration with local welfare organization providing weekly Spreekuur Vrijwilligerspunt consultations at library branches for questions about volunteering and social activities.
- Fotoclub HeinominorPartnership with local photography club creating photo exhibition 'Onze gebruikers' (Our Users) showcasing library visitors and promoting community identity.
- Stichting LezencoreNational reading promotion foundation collaborating on reading competitions, VoorleesExpress program, and literacy initiatives including BoekStart for babies.
- Nederlandse Boekenbon BVminorSponsoring partner for Nationale Voorleeswedstrijd reading competition enabling prizes and promotional activities.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Bibliotheek Salland competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bibliotheek Utrecht: Utrecht's public library combines traditional lending with extensive program offerings and digital services. It is structurally similar to Bibliotheek Salland — ANBI-recognised foundation, multi-branch, Wise-based LMS — and serves as a comparable mid-sized Dutch public library.
- Bibliotheek Eemland: A mid-sized regional Dutch public library operating branches across the Eemland area with similar reading promotion and digital inclusion programs. Closely comparable in organisational structure and target audience to Bibliotheek Salland.
- Bibliotheek Rotterdam: Rotterdam's municipal public library operates multiple branches and a comparable mix of lending, digital services, and community programs. It is the most directly comparable large-city peer in the Netherlands, sharing the same Wise/Rijnbrink ecosystem and ANBI funding model.
- Bibliotheek Den Haag: The Hague's public library runs a multi-branch network with reading promotion, language learning (similar to Taalpunt), and digital inclusion programs. It mirrors Bibliotheek Salland's combination of physical lending, language coaching, and digital government service support.
- Flevomeer Bibliotheek: A regional public library serving multiple Flevoland municipalities with a similar multi-branch lending and community-services model. Comparable in scale, governance structure, and reliance on volunteer support.
- Bibliotheek Gelderland Zuid: A regional public library serving multiple municipalities in Gelderland, operating with comparable scale and a similar hub-and-spoke model of full-service branches plus service points. Among the closest direct peers to Bibliotheek Salland in terms of footprint and rural/regional coverage.
Broad incumbents
- OBA (Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam): Amsterdam's public library is the largest in the Netherlands with many branches and a much broader program portfolio. It is a scaled-up urban analog of Bibliotheek Salland's model of combining lending with community services and events, making it a relevant reference for the upper bound of what a Dutch public library can become.
- Koninklijke Bibliotheek (KB): The Netherlands' national library and policy-shaping institution for the public library sector, providing frameworks, infrastructure, and the national digital lending network. While not a direct competitor, it sets the strategic and funding context in which Bibliotheek Salland operates.
Others
- Rijnbrink: Bibliotheek Salland's core technology partner, providing the Wise library management system used for catalog, circulation, and member accounts. Rijnbrink also runs recruitment for the library sector, making it a critical enabler and ecosystem counterpart rather than a competitor.
- Probiblio / Online Bibliotheek: Probiblio develops and operates the Online Bibliotheek national e-book/audiobook platform and the BiebApp used by Bibliotheek Salland for non-member lending. It is the principal digital-content infrastructure provider for Dutch public libraries, shaping the product surface Bibliotheek Salland delivers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Bibliotheek Salland social profiles
Digital presenceBibliotheek Salland financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bibliotheek Salland leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Bibliotheek Salland funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bibliotheek Salland M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bibliotheek Salland
What does Bibliotheek Salland do?
Bibliotheek Salland is a public library foundation operating 5 full-service branches and 4 pickup points across 5 municipalities in the Salland region of the Netherlands. It offers physical and digital lending of books, e-books, and audiobooks, alongside language learning programs (Taalpunt), digital skills helpdesks (Digitaal Café and IDO), reading promotion for children (VoorleesExpress), home delivery (Boek aan Huis), and community activities for all ages.
Is Bibliotheek Salland a public or private company?
Bibliotheek Salland is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Bibliotheek Salland founded?
Bibliotheek Salland was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Bibliotheek Salland based?
Bibliotheek Salland is headquartered in Raalte, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Bibliotheek Salland make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are pay-per-borrow (BiebApp), printing and copying services and public subsidies.
Who are Bibliotheek Salland's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bibliotheek Utrecht, Bibliotheek Eemland, Bibliotheek Rotterdam, Bibliotheek Den Haag, Flevomeer Bibliotheek and Bibliotheek Gelderland Zuid. Broad incumbents are OBA (Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam) and Koninklijke Bibliotheek (KB). Others are Rijnbrink and Probiblio / Online Bibliotheek.
Does Bibliotheek Salland have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bibliotheek Salland.
What industry is Bibliotheek Salland in?
Bibliotheek Salland's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services, with a secondary code of EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management. Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 8200.