Ypsilanti District Library
Ypsilanti District Library is a Michigan public library district serving three municipalities (City of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township, Superior Township) via three branches and a bookmobile, offering lending collections, digital resources, Library of Things, local history archives, and community programming funded primarily through voter-approved property tax millages.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1868
- HeadquartersYpsilanti, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ypsilanti District Library does
Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) is a public library district organized under Michigan state law and founded in 1868, serving residents of the City of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township, and Superior Township across three physical branches (YDL-Whittaker opened 2002 as the 60,000 sq.ft. main branch, YDL-Michigan in the historic Carnegie post office building downtown, and YDL-Superior opened November 2022) and a bookmobile service. The library operates a unified service portfolio combining traditional physical collections (254,671 volumes as of 2016, 818,818 annual circulations as of 2016) with digital resources delivered through Hoopla, Kanopy, Libby/OverDrive, and EBSCO. YDL is distinguished by non-traditional offerings including the Library of Things collection spanning 13 categories (tools, kitchen equipment, musical instruments, tech devices, fitness equipment, garden and medical items), the A.P. Marshall African American Oral History Archive, the Ypsi Stories quarterly podcast launched November 2020, a Seed Library, and a Library Care Coordination social work program with YDL's first hired social worker.
YDL's technology infrastructure centers on the III Vega library catalog system, augmented by a mobile app launched in 2018, 24/7 locker and curbside pickup, and statewide MeLCat interlibrary loan integration. Distribution combines the three branches, the bookmobile serving neighborhood routes Monday-Thursday, partnerships with The Library Network for reciprocal borrowing, and the Michigan Activity Pass providing access to 100+ Michigan cultural destinations. Marketing is multi-channel across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, BlueSky, the Loop newsletter, the podcast, and direct community programming.
The business model is public-sector: the library is funded primarily through voter-approved property tax millages, with a 12-year operating millage approved in November 2018 providing fiscal stability through 2030. Annual budget was approximately $3.7 million as of 2016, with approximately 60 staff. Non-resident library cards are sold at $150/year per household, and supplemental revenue comes from Friends of the Library and direct donations. Library services are free for residents, employees, and property owners in the district. Governance rests with a 7-member publicly elected Board of Trustees; administration is led by Director Lisa Hoenig, who has held the role since 2015.
Ypsilanti District Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ypsilanti District Library
- Legal name
- Ypsilanti District Library
- Website
- https://ypsilibrary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1868
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Ypsilanti District Library is a Michigan public library district serving three municipalities (City of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township, Superior Township) via three branches and a bookmobile, offering lending collections, digital resources, Library of Things, local history archives, and community programming funded primarily through voter-approved property tax millages.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ypsilanti District Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
Keywords
Where Ypsilanti District Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ypsilanti
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Ypsilanti District Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Public Library Funding (Tax Revenue): District library funded primarily through property tax millages approved by voters. Operating millage provides the majority of operational funding.
- Non-Resident Library Cards: Non-resident cards available for purchase at $150 per household per year for those who do not qualify for free resident cards.
- Donations and Fundraising: Donations from the public through the Friends of the Library, direct donations, and fundraising events support library programs and enhancements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Resident Library Cards |
| Subscription | Annual | Non-Resident Cards |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Ypsilanti District Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ypsilanti District Library is a public library district that lends physical collections (books, DVDs, periodicals), provides digital lending and streaming (eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music via Hoopla, Kanopy, and Libby), and operates a non-traditional Library of Things (tools, instruments, tech, kitchen, fitness). It delivers community programs including early literacy, teen services, senior programming, summer reading challenges, social work via Library Care Coordination, and local history preservation through the Ypsi Stories podcast and A.P. Marshall African American Oral History Archive. Services are delivered through three branches, a Bookmobile, online catalog, and contactless locker/curbside pickup.
Product overview
Ypsilanti District Library operates as a multi-branch public library system serving the City of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township, and Superior Township in Michigan. The library offers a unified service portfolio combining traditional physical collections (books, DVDs, periodicals) with extensive digital resources (eBooks, streaming video, audiobooks through Hoopla, Kanopy, and Libby platforms). Key service offerings include the Library of Things collection with over 100 lendable items across 13 categories, the Michigan Activity Pass for cultural attractions, the Seed Library for community gardening, a Bookmobile mobile service, and the Ypsi Stories local history podcast. The library also provides technology access (computers, WiFi, printing), meeting rooms, accessibility services including home delivery, and youth programming including the Summer Challenge reading program. The system consists of three physical branches (YDL-Whittaker, YDL-Michigan, and YDL-Superior) plus the Bookmobile, with additional digital services available 24/7 online.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Library of Things: Collection of loanable items including games, tools, tech, kitchen supplies, office materials, and more for library card holders.
- Ypsi Stories Podcast
- Ypsi History Collection
- A.P. Marshall African American Oral History Archive
- Michigan Activity Pass (MAP)
Products and services
- Library Catalog and Borrowing Service
- Digital Collections and eResources
- Library of Things
- Michigan Activity Pass (MAP)
- Seed Library
- Bookmobile Mobile Library Service
- Ypsi Stories Podcast
- A.P. Marshall African American Oral History Archive
- TALK: Text and Learn for Kindergarten
- Library Care Coordination
- Mobile Hotspot Lending
- Lockers and Curbside Pickup Service
- Summer Challenge Program
- 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
- Meeting Room Reservations
- Public Computers and Internet Access
- Print, Copy, Scan, and Fax Services
- Kits Collection
- Home Delivery Service
- Exam Proctoring
Quantifiable outcome
- 400,000+ annual visitors served
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Ypsilanti District Library
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
Ypsilanti District Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration15 records
Feature4 records
Ypsilanti District Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Library Network (TLN)coreTLN is a cooperative network of Michigan libraries. YDL participates in reciprocal borrowing, allowing TLN cardholders from member libraries to use YDL services, and YDL patrons can access materials from other TLN libraries. TLN also provides the Michigan Activity Pass program.
- Michigan Activity Pass PartnerscoreOver 100 Michigan destinations including parks, museums, concert halls, and theaters participate in the Michigan Activity Pass program, providing free and discounted passes to YDL cardholders.
- Molina Healthcare of MichiganminorMolina Healthcare provided grant funding to YDL for expanding programming to help seniors stay active and engaged during summer months.
- Eastern Michigan UniversityminorEMU students designed a promotional campaign including a new logo as part of a marketing grant received by the library in 1991.
- 826 MichiganminorPartnership providing college application essay writing assistance to teen patrons through professional writers.
- Ypsilanti Senior CenterminorLocal senior services organization providing resources and programming referrals for senior patrons.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ypsilanti District Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Dearborn Public Library: Michigan municipal public library serving Dearborn. Comparable in serving a Southeast Michigan community with diverse demographics and offering traditional plus non-traditional services, though operating under a city-municipal structure rather than an independent district.
Broad incumbents
- Brooklyn Public Library: Large urban public library system serving Brooklyn, NY. Comparable in operating multiple branches, robust programming, social-services orientation, and adoption of non-traditional lending models. Significantly larger scale but similar mission breadth.
- Detroit Public Library: Major Michigan public library system operating multiple branches. Comparable in core public-library mission, district-style governance, and millage funding, though materially larger in scale and serving a more urban demographic profile.
- Cuyahoga County Public Library: Large multi-branch public library system in Ohio. Comparable in multi-branch operations, voter-funded governance, and broad programming including Library of Things-style collections, though at significantly larger scale.
- Hennepin County Library: Minnesota county library system with extensive branch network. Comparable in county-wide service area, broad programming including social-services integration, and adoption of digital lending platforms (OverDrive/Libby).
- Indianapolis Public Library: Indiana public library serving Indianapolis/Marion County with multiple branches. Comparable in district-style governance, voter-approved funding, and integration of non-traditional services like mobile hotspots and digital lending.
Direct peers
- Kent District Library: Michigan district library serving the Grand Rapids metro area. Highly comparable in district-library structure, voter-approved millage funding, multi-branch operations, and broad programming focus.
- Jackson District Library: Michigan district library serving Jackson County. Similar mid-size district-library model with millage-based funding and multi-branch footprint, making it a strong structural and operational peer.
- Ann Arbor District Library: Public library district serving the adjacent City of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Most directly comparable peer given shared Southeast Michigan geography, similar district-library structure, voter-approved millage funding, and overlapping patron base along the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor corridor.
Others
- Library of Michigan: State-level library coordinating body providing statewide services including the MeLCat interlibrary loan network. Comparable as the governing/coordination infrastructure that YDL plugs into for reciprocal borrowing and digital resource sharing.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ypsilanti District Library social profiles
Digital presenceYpsilanti District Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ypsilanti District Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Ypsilanti District Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ypsilanti District 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 Ypsilanti District Library
What does Ypsilanti District Library do?
Ypsilanti District Library is a public library district that lends physical collections (books, DVDs, periodicals), provides digital lending and streaming (eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music via Hoopla, Kanopy, and Libby), and operates a non-traditional Library of Things (tools, instruments, tech, kitchen, fitness). It delivers community programs including early literacy, teen services, senior programming, summer reading challenges, social work via Library Care Coordination, and local history preservation through the Ypsi Stories podcast and A.P. Marshall African American Oral History Archive. Services are delivered through three branches, a Bookmobile, online catalog, and contactless locker/curbside pickup.
Is Ypsilanti District Library a public or private company?
Ypsilanti District Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Ypsilanti District Library founded?
Ypsilanti District Library was founded in 1868.
Where is Ypsilanti District Library based?
Ypsilanti District Library is headquartered in Ypsilanti, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ypsilanti District Library make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Public Library Funding (Tax Revenue) is the primary driver. The others are non-Resident Library Cards and donations and Fundraising.
Who are Ypsilanti District Library's main competitors?
Dearborn Public Library is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Brooklyn Public Library, Detroit Public Library, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Hennepin County Library and Indianapolis Public Library. Direct peers are Kent District Library, Jackson District Library and Ann Arbor District Library. Library of Michigan is listed as an others.
Does Ypsilanti District Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ypsilanti District Library.
What industry is Ypsilanti District Library in?
Ypsilanti District Library's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services. Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 8200.