SULLIVAN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

What SULLIVAN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY does

Sullivan County Public Library is a public county library system headquartered at 100 S. Crowder St. in Sullivan, Indiana, operating one main library, four branch libraries (Carlisle, Dugger, Farmersburg, Merom), and the Sullivan County History Museum. Established in 1905 as a Carnegie library, the system serves all Sullivan County residents with free access to physical collections, digital lending through Hoopla and OverDrive/Libby, genealogy and local history research, youth programming (including the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library early-literacy partnership), meeting rooms, and outreach to homebound seniors, nursing homes, daycares, and the housing authority. Governance rests with a board appointed by county commissioners, county council, and local school corporations.

The underlying technology stack is built on standard library-sector platforms rather than proprietary infrastructure: a Vega Discover online public access catalog, integrated digital-media services (Hoopla for movies/music/audiobooks/comics, OverDrive/Libby for ebooks and audiobooks, Kindle compatibility), academic and genealogy databases (INSPIRE, Heritage Quest, Ancestry Library, Fold 3), creative-learning content (Creativebug), and mobile printing. The genealogy and local history department maintains microfilm records, obituary indexes, cemetery books, and historical archives dating to 1877, supported by a dedicated historian/genealogist and fee-based research services ($3 plus postage per query for up to 12 pages).

The business model is primarily tax-funded public service, with core lending, programming, and meeting-room usage provided free of charge. The only direct revenue stream disclosed is fee-based genealogy research assistance at $3 plus postage per request, supplemented by community fundraising for the Imagination Library ($25 per child per year) and ancillary services such as notary public, faxing, and scanning. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on physical branches, county-wide outreach, Facebook, Instagram, an email newsletter, and an online LibCal events calendar rather than paid acquisition.

Name

SULLIVAN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Legal name

Sullivan County Public Library

Website

https://sullivan.lib.in.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sullivan County Public Library is a public county library system serving Sullivan County, Indiana, with a main library, four branches, and a history museum providing free lending, digital media, genealogy research, youth programming, and outreach services to county residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Museums (712110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Genealogy research
• Youth programming
• Local history archives
• Community outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Sullivan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Genealogy Research Services: Fee-based genealogy research assistance providing up to 12 pages of material for $3.00 plus postage, with additional copies at $0.10 per page
2. Public Library Services: Free public services funded through government/tax support including book lending, meeting room usage, programming, and outreach services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sullivan County Public Library is a county-wide public library system providing free book lending, digital media access, genealogy and local history research, youth programming, meeting room rentals, and community outreach services. The system operates one main Carnegie-heritage library, four branch locations, and a History Museum serving all Sullivan County, Indiana residents.

Product overview

Sullivan County Public Library is a multi-branch public library system serving Sullivan County, Indiana, consisting of one main library in Sullivan and four branch libraries (Carlisle, Dugger, Farmersburg, and Merom), plus a History Museum. The system offers core library services including physical and digital collections, genealogy and local history research, youth programming (including Dolly Parton's Imagination Library), meeting room facilities, outreach services to housing authorities and nursing homes, and online digital resources through integrated platforms like Hoopla, Libby/OverDrive, and Heritage Quest. The Main Library, established in 1899 as a Carnegie Library, serves as the primary location with additional branches providing community-based services across the county.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Main Library The main branch of Sullivan County Public Library located at 100 S. Crowder St., Sullivan, IN 47882. Established in 1899 as a Carnegie Library, it offers fax and scanning services, notary public, programming for adults and children, wireless printing, and homebound services. ADA compliant facility.
• Carlisle Library Branch library located at 201 N Ledgerwood St., Carlisle, IN 47838. Originally opened as a Carnegie Library in 1916, rebuilt in 1965 after a fire, and became part of the Sullivan County Public Library system in 1968. Current building opened June 2015.
• Dugger Library Branch library located at 8007 E. Main St., Dugger, IN 47848. Part of the Sullivan County Public Library system. Managed by Deborah Loveless.
• Farmersburg Library Branch library located at 102 W. Main St., Farmersburg, IN 47850. Library established in early 1900s by volunteers, moved to current municipal building location dedicated October 31, 1928. Managed by LeAnne Daniels.
• Merom Library Branch library located at 8554 W. Market St., Merom, IN 47861. Originally opened as Merom-Gill Township Carnegie Library on September 1, 1918. Became part of Sullivan County Public Library system on December 28, 1967. Known as one of the smallest towns in the U.S. with a Carnegie-built library. Managed by Tracy McWhirter.
• Sullivan County History Museum History museum located at 10 S. Court St., managed by Sullivan County Public Library since 2019. Located in the former Bennett's Drugstore building, it houses local history collections, museum and library programs, and special events. Open Thursday-Friday 10:00-4:00. Curator: Katiesha Benson.
• Genealogy/Local History Department Department offering extensive genealogical research resources including microfilm (marriage records, probate records, census records, deed records), cemetery books, obituary indexes, funeral home records, and historical archives. Sullivan County Historian & Genealogist: Donna K. Adams. Department open Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00, Saturday 12:00-5:00.
• Genealogy Research Request Service Fee-based genealogy research assistance providing up to 12 pages of material for $3.00 plus postage, with additional copies at $0.10 per page. Available for remote researchers who cannot visit in person.
• Youth Services Comprehensive youth programming including children's and teen programs, books and materials for infants through teens, CD and MP3 audiobooks, public computers with internet, preschool learn and play area, teen space, homework help, and summer reading program. Youth Services Coordinator: Julie Jackson.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Free program that mails one age-appropriate book monthly to registered children from birth until age five. Partnership between Sullivan County Public Library and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. By kindergarten, children receive a personal library of 60 books. Funded by local partners and donors at $25 per child per year.
• Community Meeting Room Services Meeting rooms provided free of charge as a community service. Main meeting room has capacity of 25 people, available for not-for-profit groups. Includes use of kitchen facilities, screen, projector, laptop, and internet connection. Located at Main Library.
• Outreach Services Outreach services including adult and children's programming, book deliveries, and genealogy programs. Services available upon request through adult services coordinator. Outreach areas include Sullivan Housing Authority, local nursing homes, local daycares, and local developmental services.
• Online Digital Resources Digital resources and databases available to library patrons including Vega Discover catalog, Hoopla digital media, Libby/OverDrive ebooks, Heritage Quest genealogy, INSPIRE academic databases, Creativebug tutorials, Reference Solutions, and various other research tools.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60 free books provided to each child through Imagination Library by kindergarten age
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Dolly Parton's Imagination LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSullivan County Public Library partners with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to provide free age-appropriate books monthly to children from birth until age 5. The program mails one book per month to registered children, building a personal library of 60 books by kindergarten. The library supports this through community fundraising ($25 provides one child a year of books).
• Hoopla (Digital Media Service)coreTechnology or IntegrationHoopla is a digital media service partnered with the library allowing patrons to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics, and TV shows accessible on computers, tablets, phones, and TVs.
• OverDrive/LibbycoreTechnology or IntegrationOverDrive provides ebook and audiobook lending through the Libby app, with ability to send ebooks to Kindle readers. Free service for library cardholders.
• INSPIRE (Indiana Libraries)coreTechnology or IntegrationINSPIRE is a collection of academic databases and information resources accessible by Indiana residents through the library.
• Ancestry LibrarycoreTechnology or IntegrationIn-library access to Ancestry's genealogical research database for patron use in genealogy research.
• Sullivan County Historical SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLibrary took over management of Sullivan County History Museum in 2019 from the Sullivan County Historical Society. Museum houses local history collections, museum and library programs, and special events.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Clay County Public Library: Neighboring rural Indiana county library system, similar in population scale, Carnegie-era heritage, and traditional service model. Directly comparable peer in western Indiana.
• Greene County Public Library: County-level public library system in rural southwestern Indiana, similar in scale and county setting to Sullivan County Public Library. Comparable service mix, branch structure, and rural-Indiana community profile.
• Vigo County Public Library: Public library system serving Vigo County, Indiana (adjacent to Sullivan County). Operates multiple branches in the Terre Haute area with comparable programming, digital resources, and governance structure. Most directly comparable county-level peer in the region.
• Knox County Public Library: Indiana county library system serving Vincennes and surrounding rural county. Comparable in size and service scope, with similar Carnegie-era heritage and traditional public library programming.
• Owen County Public Library: Small rural Indiana county library with comparable staffing scale, branch footprint, and programming scope. Serves as a useful operational benchmark for Sullivan County Public Library.

Broad incumbents

• Indianapolis Public Library: Large urban Indiana library system serving Indianapolis-Marion County. Operates 23+ branches with extensive programming, collections, and digital resources. Same state-level governance and funding context but much larger scale.
• Indiana State Library: State-level library agency providing services, support, and coordination to all Indiana public libraries, including Sullivan County. Functions as a governing, support, and resource partner at the state level.
• Allen County Public Library: Major Indiana public library system (Fort Wayne) widely recognized as one of the largest public library systems in the U.S. by collection size. Provides useful benchmarking for digital infrastructure and programming depth.

Others

• Hoopla: Digital media service providing movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics, and TV shows to library patrons. Integrated into Sullivan County Public Library's offerings as a supplier, not a competitor.
• OverDrive: Digital library platform provider powering Libby and ebook/audiobook lending for Sullivan County Public Library. A technology supplier and ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor, but a key enabler of the library's digital strategy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SullivanCountyPublicLibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/sullivancopublib?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA=
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sullivan-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 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 SULLIVAN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY