Stoughton Public Library
The Stoughton Public Library is a municipal public library in Stoughton, Wisconsin, serving community residents with free physical lending, digital collections (OverDrive, Hoopla, Kanopy), children's and adult programming, genealogical research resources, and community meeting space as part of the South Central Library System.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1882
- HeadquartersStoughton, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Stoughton Public Library does
The Stoughton Public Library is a municipal public library located at 304 S. Fourth Street in downtown Stoughton, Wisconsin, serving the residents of Stoughton and the surrounding region as part of the South Central Library System (SCLS), a consortium of over 60 public libraries in south-central Wisconsin. The library operates from a 1908 Carnegie building expanded by a $1 million renovation in 1988-1989, with subsequent mezzanine (2006), Children's Room (2008), and second-floor (2015) remodels, and is governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Mayor under Director Jim Ramsey.
The library's service portfolio combines physical lending, in-person programming, and digital access. Core infrastructure centers on the LINKcat shared catalog, enabling patrons to use a single library card at any SCLS member library for physical materials. Digital services are delivered through three primary third-party platforms: OverDrive/Libby for eBooks and audiobooks, Hoopla for streaming media (capped at 3 borrows per month since April 2025), and Kanopy for video streaming (30,000+ films). Supplementary databases include Ancestry Library Edition, FamilySearch, HeritageQuest, Britannica, EBSCOhost, NoveList Plus, and CreativeBug, accessed via BadgerLink and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The Kvamme Local History Collection, established 1984, provides a distinctive local-history and Norwegian-heritage genealogy archive. Children's and teen programming (1000 Books Before Kindergarten, 500 Books Before Middle School, Kids' Lit Kits, ABCmouse, Summer Library Program, Pokemon Club) and adult services (four book discussion groups, virtual author visits, meeting rooms) round out the offering.
Revenue mechanics are non-commercial. The library is funded primarily by municipal and county tax appropriations (Strategic Plan Goal 4: Financial Stability), supplemented by private donations (online via Point & Pay, securities, bequests), Friends of the Library fundraising, Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants, and minor transaction fees including printing (15 cents black-and-white, 50 cents color per page) and faxing (50 cents per page, capped at $5). The library has been fine-free on most materials since September 2020. The customer base is a distributed long-tail of community members and Wisconsin residents across all age segments, with no enterprise or commercial accounts; institutional counterparts such as the Stoughton Area School District are program-distribution partners rather than paying customers.
Stoughton Public Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Stoughton Public Library
- Legal name
- Stoughton Public Library
- Website
- https://stoughtonpubliclibrary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1882
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Stoughton Public Library is a municipal public library in Stoughton, Wisconsin, serving community residents with free physical lending, digital collections (OverDrive, Hoopla, Kanopy), children's and adult programming, genealogical research resources, and community meeting space as part of the South Central Library System.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Stoughton Public Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- 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 User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)
Keywords
Where Stoughton Public Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stoughton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Stoughton Public Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Municipal and County Appropriations: Primary funding from city and county tax revenues as a public library. The 2023-2026 Strategic Plan includes Goal 4: Financial Stability through municipal and county appropriation.
- Donations and Gifts: Private donations, gifts, and bequests from community members. The library accepts monetary donations online via Point & Pay, securities or property, and bequests in wills or living trusts. Donations support collections, programming, and building funds.
- Grants: Funding from grants including Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants for digitization projects.
- Fines and Fees: The library is fine-free for most materials but charges replacement costs for lost/damaged items and $1/day overdue fines for outer-library loans. Fees also include printing (15 cents black & white, 50 cents color per page) and faxing (50 cents per page, max $5).
- Meeting Room Rental Fees: The library offers meeting rooms (Carnegie Meeting Room, second floor rooms, outdoor space) for community use at no rental charge but with usage policies requiring no admission fees or product sales.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free Library Card - Wisconsin Residents |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Fine-Free Library Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Printing Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fax Services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels9 records
Stoughton Public Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Stoughton Public Library provides free lending of physical materials (books, DVDs, CDs, magazines), digital lending via OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla, and Kanopy, access to subscription research databases, structured literacy programs for children and teens, book discussion groups for adults, community meeting room facilities, wireless printing and faxing, and curated community resources such as Wisconsin State Park passes and a seed library. It serves Wisconsin residents with a free library card and operates on a fine-free model for most materials.
Product overview
Stoughton Public Library is a public library system in Stoughton, Wisconsin offering a unified hybrid service combining traditional physical collections with extensive digital resources. The core offering centers on the LINKcat shared catalog system for physical materials, supplemented by three major digital platforms: OverDrive/Libby for eBooks and audiobooks, Hoopla for streaming media, and Kanopy for video content. The library provides dedicated children's programs including 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, 500 Books Before Middle School, Kids' Lit Kits personalized recommendations, and ABCmouse educational software. Adult and teen services include book discussion groups, meeting room facilities, wireless printing, and community resources including Wisconsin State Park passes and seed library. Supplementary databases through BadgerLink and specialized collections like the Kvamme Local History Collection for genealogy and Norwegian heritage research round out the service portfolio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kvamme Local History Collection: A local history collection providing materials relating to the Stoughton area and its residents, focusing on genealogy, Norwegian culture, and local history. Founded in May 1984 by Lois Kvamme as a memorial to her husband Torstein O. Kvamme.
Products and services
- LINKcat Library Catalog Online library catalog system used across the South Central Library System enabling patrons to search, browse, place holds, and manage their library accounts across more than 60 member libraries.
- OverDrive / Libby Digital Collection Downloadable eBooks and digital audiobooks accessible via computer through the OverDrive website or mobile devices through the Libby app, with one-on-one training available.
- Hoopla Digital Media Digital entertainment platform offering eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, television series, and music for instant streaming or download; library patrons receive 3 instant borrows per month with 21-day eBook/audiobook loans, 7-day music loans, and 2-3 day video loans.
- Kanopy Streaming Service Free streaming video platform offering over 30,000 films including hit movies, world cinema, indies, documentaries, Kanopy Kids content, and Great Courses lectures, with monthly play credits and 3-day (72-hour) viewing windows after credit use.
- Reference Databases Collection of subscription research databases and digital resources including Ancestry, BadgerLink, Britannica, Consumer Reports, EBSCOhost, HeritageQuest, Literary Reference Center, NoveList Plus, Poetry & Short Story Reference Center, and WorldCat.
- Summer Library Program Annual reading incentive program running May 30 to August 22 with separate tracks for children (ages 0-10), teens (ages 11-17), and adults (18+), offering prizes, free books, and grand prize entries for reading activities.
- 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Ongoing reading program encouraging families to read 1,000 books with children before kindergarten; children receive stickers at 100 books, free books at 500 and 1,000 milestones.
- 500 Books Before Middle School Ongoing reading program for children entering kindergarten through 5th grade; participants earn prizes for every 50 books read and free books at 250 and 500 milestones.
- Kids' Lit Kits Personalized book recommendation service where librarians select 3 books based on child preferences, age, and reading history, delivered with surprises and treats.
- ABCmouse Award-winning online educational curriculum for young learners ages 2-7+, featuring over 4,000 interactive books, educational games, puzzles, and learning activities; available for free in-library use.
- Kvamme Local History Collection Local history and genealogy collection covering Stoughton area and Norwegian heritage, including digitized materials, Stoughton newspapers on microfilm from 1876, plat maps, city directories, and vertical files on genealogy, homes, churches, businesses, and organizations.
- Meeting Room Facilities Three free meeting spaces for community use: Carnegie Meeting Room (basement, holds 45 seated adults) with AV equipment; Second Floor Meeting Rooms (Wahlin Room seats 4-6, Madison Community Foundation Room seats 6-8); and Outdoor Meeting Space at 216 E Jefferson St. with picnic tables and shade structure.
- Wisconsin State Park Pass Program Free Wisconsin State Park day passes distributed to patrons; 99 passes available in 2026, funded through the Wisconsin DNR discount program and a community donor.
- Sustainable Stoughton Seed Library Free seed distribution display offering vegetable and native plant seed packets including tomatoes, kale, lettuce, peppers, cucumbers, radishes, and native plants such as Rattlesnake Master and Black-Eyed Susan.
- American Players Theatre Voucher Program Free APT ticket vouchers (each good for 2 tickets) available to Stoughton patrons for performances at American Players Theatre in Spring Green, WI during June-September 2026.
- Wireless Printing Service Print submission via web portal, email attachments, or mobile app with pickup at library; 15 cents per page for black and white, 50 cents per page for color.
- Book Discussion Groups Four ongoing book discussion groups: Page Turners (general interest), Tuesdays with Murder (mystery), Specs (sci-fi/fantasy/horror), and Love to Read (romance).
- CreativeBug Art & Craft Videos Access to over 1,000 award-winning art and craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists via the CreativeBug platform.
Quantifiable outcome
- Library card accepted at 60+ regional libraries through South Central Library System
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Stoughton Public Library
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Stoughton Public Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration16 records
Feature4 records
Stoughton Public Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- South Central Library System (SCLS)coreThe library is a member of the South Central Library System, a consortium of over 60 public libraries in south-central Wisconsin. This partnership provides access to shared catalog systems (LINKcat), interlibrary loan services, digital resources, and collective purchasing power for databases and streaming services.
- Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcescoreThe DNR provides day passes to Wisconsin State Parks at a discounted rate, which the library then distributes free to patrons. In 2026, the library distributes 99 free park passes. This partnership promotes outdoor recreation and environmental appreciation.
- American Players Theatre (APT)minorAPT donates free ticket vouchers (each good for 2 tickets) to the library for distribution to patrons. Vouchers available for June-September 2026 performances at APT's Hill Theatre in Spring Green, WI.
- Sustainable StoughtonminorSustainable Stoughton's Seed Distribution Display is hosted at the library as a distribution point. Seeds are provided free to community members; the library serves only as the physical location, not as a technical seed library.
- Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth LibraryminorPartnership for Norwegian genealogy research resources. The library recommends this Madison-based resource to patrons researching Norwegian heritage. Cross-promotion of genealogical resources between institutions.
- Stoughton Historical SocietyminorPartnership for local history preservation. The Stoughton Historical Society's historic Linderud photographs have been digitized by the Stoughton Landmarks Commission and are accessible through historicstoughton.org/linderud-photos, with the library providing access to related historical resources.
- Friends of the Stoughton Public LibrarycoreThe Friends group fundraises to support library services, including funding hoopla digital access and other programs. Their fundraising events and membership contributions support above-and-beyond library services.
- Stoughton YogaminorPartnership for Yoga Sundays programming. Stoughton Yoga presents yoga classes at their studio as a library program, with library promoting and registering participants for the free classes.
- LINKcat ConsortiumcoreShared online catalog and circulation system used by South Central Library System member libraries. Patrons can search all member library collections, place holds, and manage accounts through a unified interface.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Stoughton Public Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- CreativeBug: Provides the 1,000+ art and craft video-class platform Stoughton subscribes to for patrons. Comparable as a niche, library-channel digital content supplier that, along with ABCmouse and Transparent Language, shapes Stoughten's non-book digital offerings.
- OverDrive: Operates the digital lending platform used by Stoughton for ebooks and audiobooks (wplc.overdrive.com) and the consumer-facing Libby app. Comparable as a core technology partner and the de facto digital-lending backbone for U.S. public libraries.
- South Central Library System (SCLS): The consortium of which Stoughton is a member; operates the shared LINKcat catalog, delivers digital resources, and runs LSTA-funded digitization programs that Stoughton relies on. Comparable as the governing/operating infrastructure above Stoughton.
- Kanopy: Operates the streaming-video service used by Stoughton (stolibwi.kanopy.com) with 30,000+ films. Comparable as a content partner that drives much of Stoughton's video-catalog differentiation.
- Ancestry (Ancestry Library Edition): Provides the genealogy database used in-library at Stoughton; comparable because the Kvamme Local History Collection's value is directly tied to pairing with Ancestry/FamilySearch for patron research workflows.
- Hoopla Digital: Provides the instant-borrow streaming media platform Stoughton uses; comparable as a key digital-content supplier whose pricing and borrowing-cap policy directly shape Stoughton's digital service economics.
Broad incumbents
- Milwaukee Public Library: Wisconsin's largest public library system; operates with overlapping services (LINKcat-style catalog, Hoopla, OverDrive, community programming) and is governed as a municipal institution. Comparable in service mix but much larger in scope and footprint.
Regional players
- Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC): The state-level consortium that procures OverDrive/Libby access for Wisconsin libraries including Stoughton. Relevant peer as the procurement vehicle that defines digital-collection capabilities across the state.
Direct peers
- Madison Public Library: Also a member of the South Central Library System serving Dane County, Wisconsin, with the same LINKcat platform and overlapping digital subscriptions. Highly comparable in service model and patron base to Stoughton, just larger in scale.
Emerging players
- BiblioBoard (BiblioLabs): Digital content and self-publishing platform for libraries; comparable as an alternative/adjacent digital-collection supplier that small libraries increasingly evaluate alongside OverDrive, Hoopla, and Kanopy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Stoughton Public Library social profiles
Digital presenceStoughton Public Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Stoughton Public Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Stoughton Public Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Stoughton Public Library 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 Stoughton Public Library
What does Stoughton Public Library do?
Stoughton Public Library provides free lending of physical materials (books, DVDs, CDs, magazines), digital lending via OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla, and Kanopy, access to subscription research databases, structured literacy programs for children and teens, book discussion groups for adults, community meeting room facilities, wireless printing and faxing, and curated community resources such as Wisconsin State Park passes and a seed library. It serves Wisconsin residents with a free library card and operates on a fine-free model for most materials.
Is Stoughton Public Library a public or private company?
Stoughton Public Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Stoughton Public Library founded?
Stoughton Public Library was founded in 1882. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Stoughton Public Library based?
Stoughton Public Library is headquartered in Stoughton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Stoughton Public Library make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Municipal and County Appropriations are the primary driver. The others are donations and Gifts, grants, fines and Fees and meeting Room Rental Fees.
Who are Stoughton Public Library's main competitors?
Others on record are CreativeBug, OverDrive, South Central Library System (SCLS), Kanopy, Ancestry (Ancestry Library Edition) and Hoopla Digital. Milwaukee Public Library is listed as a broad incumbent. Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC) is listed as a regional player. Madison Public Library is listed as a direct peer. BiblioBoard (BiblioLabs) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Stoughton Public Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Stoughton Public Library.
What industry is Stoughton Public Library in?
Stoughton Public Library's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management, with a secondary code of BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services. Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 8200.