Bullitt County Public Library

What Bullitt County Public Library does

Bullitt County Public Library (BCPL) is a publicly funded library system organized as a Kentucky library district, serving residents of Bullitt County from a headquarters at 127 N. Walnut Street in Shepherdsville. It operates five branch locations (Central Library/Shepherdsville, Hillview, Lebanon Junction, Mt. Washington, and Nichols), and provides free access to physical and digital collections, research databases, community programming, and educational services to all county residents regardless of age, income, or language. The core offerings include a mobile app (iOS/Android, launched 2018), RFID self-checkout, interlibrary loan, Chromebook and mobile hotspot lending, the Library of Things collection, SummerQuest and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten reading challenges, the Cultural Pass program, and a dedicated Spanish-language outreach track. The system is governed by an appointed Board of Trustees under a 2024-2029 Strategic Plan and a 2016-2040 Facilities Master Plan.

The technology stack is conventional and platform-mediated rather than proprietary: a Sirsi enterprise catalog, digital content delivered through Hoopla, Kanopy, and the Kentucky Libraries Unbound/OverDrive state consortium, EBSCO/Gale research databases, Beanstack for reading challenges, and a 1-2 Gbps fiber WAN connecting branches, with E-rate subsidized telecom upgrades. BCPL has no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, patents, or proprietary algorithms; differentiation comes from community integration rather than technology ownership.

The business model is non-commercial: services are free at the point of use, revenue is derived primarily from local tax appropriations (the library district model under Kentucky law), supplemented by federal E-rate telecom discounts, government grants, and nominal charges only for lost or damaged materials (late fees were permanently eliminated in December 2021). 'Customers' are Bullitt County residents collectively, and key institutional partners include Bullitt County Public Schools (Take 5 Initiative reaching all 13,200 students), Volunteers of America Mid-States, the American Library Association, and multiple digital content vendors. Current operations are led by Library Director Tara O'Hagan, who succeeded former Executive Director Joe Schweiss.

Name

Bullitt County Public Library

Legal name

Bullitt County Public Library

Website

https://bcplib.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Bullitt County Public Library is a publicly funded Kentucky library district operating five branches across Shepherdsville, Hillview, Lebanon Junction, Mt. Washington, and Nichols, providing free physical and digital collections, research databases, community programs, and mobile-app services to all Bullitt County residents.

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)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAEAGAC

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYBPAIACAO

Public Libraries & Information Services

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

SECONDARYBPAGAHAF

Libraries, Archives & Special Collections

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAEAGAF

Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYEDAEAGAL

Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYEDAAAFAA

Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Community & Public Education Programs (Libraries, Community Centers)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community library programs
• Digital media lending
• Research database access
• Educational resource centers

Headquarters

HQ city

Shepherdsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Library Funding: Primarily funded through local tax revenue as a public library district. Receives government grants and participates in the federal E-rate program for telecommunications discounts.
2. Fines and Fees: The library has permanently eliminated late fees (as of December 2021) but still charges for lost or damaged materials.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bullitt County Public Library is a publicly funded library system providing free access to physical collections (books, DVDs, music, magazines, children's and Spanish-language materials), digital lending collections via Hoopla, Kanopy, and OverDrive, research databases, language and continuing education platforms, technology lending (Chromebooks and hotspots), and community programs such as SummerQuest and Cultural Pass. Services are delivered across five physical branches, a mobile app, and the bcplib.org website to Bullitt County, Kentucky residents.

Product overview

Bullitt County Public Library operates as a unified public library system offering both physical and digital resources. The core offerings include physical collections (books, DVDs, music, newspapers, Spanish-language materials, children's and YA collections) across five branch locations, and digital collections accessible via the BCPL Mobile App and website through integrations with Hoopla, Kentucky Libraries Unbound (OverDrive), and Kanopy. Additional services include research databases, language learning through Mango Languages, device lending (Chromebooks and hotspots), the Library of Things collection, and community programs like SummerQuest and Cultural Pass.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physical Library Collections Traditional library materials including books, DVDs, music CDs, newspapers, magazines, Spanish-language collection, children's collections, and junior/YA materials available for borrowing across five branch locations.
• Digital Collections Extensive digital media lending including e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines, streaming movies/TV, music, and comics available through Hoopla, Kentucky Libraries Unbound (OverDrive), and Kanopy integrations.
• Research Databases Comprehensive research resources including EBSCOhost, Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest Online, Consumer Health Complete, Business Source Premier, legal databases, literary reference, and newspapers archives.
• BCPL Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android devices enabling patrons to manage library accounts, search catalogs, borrow digital content, scan barcodes to check item availability, reserve rooms, and access events.
• Chromebook & Hotspot Lending Program Device lending program providing Chromebooks and mobile hotspots for patron use, supporting digital access and helping bridge technology access gaps.
• Library of Things Collection of non-traditional lending items beyond books and media, available for checkout to expand patron access to diverse resources.
• SummerQuest Annual summer reading program with themed activities, challenges, and prizes encouraging community reading and engagement throughout summer months.
• Cultural Pass Program providing free access to arts, science, nature, history, and cultural attractions across Greater Louisville for youth ages 0-21 and families.
• Mango Languages Language learning platform offering instruction in multiple languages including ASL, with cultural learning components integrated into library services.
• Universal Class Online continuing education platform offering over 500 courses in business, technology, and personal development for CEU credits.
• Branch Locations Five library locations: Central Library (Shepherdsville), Hillview Branch, Lebanon Junction Branch, Mt. Washington Branch, and Nichols Branch serving Bullitt County communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• All 13,200 Bullitt County Public Schools students have access to library cards through Take 5 Initiative
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bullitt County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2017Take 5 Initiative partnership ensuring all 13,200 Bullitt County Public Schools students receive library cards prior to the 2017-2018 school year. Aims to support academic success and promote lifelong learning through early library engagement.
• Hoopla DigitalcoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital content platform providing e-books, audiobooks, comics, music, movies, and TV shows for free lending through the library's digital collection.
• KanopycoreTechnology or IntegrationStreaming video service offering access to movies, documentaries, and educational content through the library's digital collection.
• Kentucky Libraries Unbound (OverDrive)coreTechnology or IntegrationDigital lending platform providing e-books, e-audiobooks, and e-magazines through the state library consortium.
• American Library Association (ALA)minorOthersProfessional association membership providing resources, standards, and support for public library services. BCPL participates in ALA initiatives including Library Card Sign-up Month.
• Volunteers of America Mid-StatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity health partnership providing HIV education and free anonymous testing events at library locations.
• Cultural PassminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram providing youth ages 0-21 and families free access to arts, science, nature, history, and cultural destinations across Greater Louisville area.
• Nerd LouisvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership for programming Dungeons & Dragons camps and other gaming events at library locations.
• Studio Kremer ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitectural firm selected for the Hillview Branch Library renovation and expansion project (2025).
• Omni ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitectural firm involved in the new Central Library project in Shepherdsville (approximately 45,000 square feet).
• AmazonminorOthersCorporate donation program providing items to enhance the library system's science offerings and educational resources.
• E-Rate Program (USAC)coreOthersFederal Universal Service Fund program administered by USAC providing discounts on telecommunications and internet access for eligible schools and libraries.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Louisville Free Public Library: The largest public library system in Kentucky serving the Louisville metro area. Direct peer because BCPL partners with it through the Cultural Pass program and both operate multi-branch Kentucky public library systems serving overlapping Greater Louisville communities.
• Lexington Public Library: Multi-branch public library system in Lexington, Kentucky. Comparable as a Kentucky-based municipal library with similar digital lending, programming, and tax-funded operating model.
• Kenton County Public Library: Northern Kentucky public library district with multiple branches. Comparable as a Kentucky county library district using a similar governance, funding, and digital content model.
• Jefferson County Public Library (Colorado): Large Colorado county library system. Comparable as a tax-funded county library district with a similar multi-branch, programming-rich, and digital-first service model.

Regional players

• Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library: Major Ohio-Kentucky border public library system. Comparable as a multi-branch urban/suburban public library serving a county-level jurisdiction with similar service mix, though geographically distinct.
• Nashville Public Library: Tennessee metropolitan public library. Comparable as a multi-branch urban public library with strong community programming and digital lending; serves a different geography.
• Indianapolis Public Library: Indiana's largest public library system. Comparable as a multi-branch municipal library with digital lending, community programming, and county-level service mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Free Library of Philadelphia: Large urban public library system supported by a foundation. Comparable as a public library offering digital lending and community programs, but significantly larger and operating with broader institutional resources.

Others

• Kentucky Virtual Library: Statewide library consortium of which BCPL is a member. Comparable as a Kentucky library ecosystem participant providing shared digital research resources to BCPL patrons.
• OverDrive: Digital content platform powering BCPL's Kentucky Libraries Unbound service. Relevant as a key technology vendor enabling BCPL's e-book and e-audiobook lending, and a barometer for digital lending cost trends.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/bcplib
• Facebookfacebook.com/bcplib
• Instagraminstagram.com/bcplinsta
• Pinterestpinterest.com/bcplib
• Xx.com/BCPLib
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bcplib

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Bullitt County Public Library