Wright Memorial Public Library

What Wright Memorial Public Library does

Wright Memorial Public Library is a tax-funded public library established in 1939 in Oakwood, Ohio, operating as a government state entity. The library provides free lending collections, digital resources, civic services, and educational and discussion programs to all Ohio residents, with paid digital-only access ($50/year eCard) available to out-of-state patrons. Its core products span physical and digital lending (364,222 items circulated in 2024), the Library of Things (makerboxes, museum passes, hotspots, tools), the Wright Library mobile app, research databases (215,652 sessions), and a growing portfolio of non-lending services including a 2024-launched Memory Digitization Lab, notary services, passport processing, meeting rooms, tech tutoring, and home delivery. Technology infrastructure relies on the Polaris integrated library system, statewide consortia (Ohio Digital Library/Overdrive, OPLIN, Hoopla, Kanopy, Beanstack), and standard third-party platforms; no proprietary AI or ML capabilities are evident.

The library's go-to-market is community-led and non-commercial: services are delivered through the single physical location at 1776 Far Hills Avenue, supplemented by a mobile app, online catalog, and outreach (Book Peddler, farmers' market, school visits). Pricing is freemium — free to Ohio residents, $50/year for out-of-state eCards, plus usage-based fees for select materials and mobile printing. FY2024 total revenue of $2,618,457 is funded 52% by Ohio's Public Library Fund, 37% by local property taxes, 3% patron charges, 3% contributions/donations (including over $100,000 from the Wright Library Foundation Annual Campaign), and 5% investment income, against expenditures of $2,483,779 — indicating conservative fiscal management. The institution is governed by a director (Kristi Hale) and supported by deep partnerships with Oakwood City Schools, Oakwood Historical Society, Green Oakwood, Five Rivers MetroParks, and other community organizations.

Name

Wright Memorial Public Library

Legal name

Wright Memorial Public Library

Website

https://wrightlibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Free public library in Oakwood, Ohio, serving Ohio residents since 1939 with lending collections, digital resources, community programming, and civic services, funded primarily by state and local taxes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital lending collections
• Community programming
• Research databases
• Library of things

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Library Fund (State Taxes): State tax revenue distributed through Ohio's Public Library Fund, representing 52% of total revenue. In 2024, this amounted to $1,343,646.
2. Local Property Taxes: Local property tax revenue from Oakwood residents, representing 37% of total revenue ($964,773 in FY2024).
3. Patron Charges: Fees collected from patrons including replacement costs, processing fees, and service charges. Represents 3% of revenue ($68,648).
4. Contributions, Gifts & Donations: Private donations including Wright Library Foundation Annual Campaign which raised over $100,000 in 2024. Represents 3% of revenue ($90,592).
5. Investment Earnings & Other: Investment income and miscellaneous revenue streams. Represents 5% of revenue ($150,798).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Wright Memorial Public Library is a public library that lends physical and digital collections including books, eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming video, music, and eMagazines, while also circulating non-traditional items such as makerboxes, electronic devices, and museum passes through its Library of Things. It provides free community programming (storytimes, book clubs, author talks, summer reading challenges, ecology programs, and the Far Hills Speaker Series), patron services (passport processing, notary, printing, computer and Wi-Fi access, interlibrary loan, and tech tutoring), and digital access via a mobile app and partner platforms such as Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, and Mango Languages.

Product overview

Wright Memorial Public Library is a single-location public library offering a unified set of services centered on traditional and digital lending, community programming, and patron resources. The core offering combines physical and digital collections (eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming video via Kanopy, music via Freegal/Hoopla, and eMagazines) with non-traditional lending through the Library of Things (makerboxes, electronics, activity passes, games). Key service pillars include: digital access via the Wright Library Mobile App and Libby/Overdrive integration; community programming including children's storytimes, Summer Reading Challenges (Beanstack-tracked), author talks, and ecology/nature programs; maker and digitization services via the Memory Digitization Lab; and essential services including passport processing, notary, printing, meeting room reservations, and home delivery. The library also maintains local heritage initiatives including the Dayton Literary Trail and Far Hills Speaker Series. In 2024, the library served 15,496 card holders with 364,222 materials circulated, 125,135 visits, and 215,652 research database sessions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wright Library Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android providing virtual library card storage, multiple account management, catalog search and request functionality, curbside pickup coordination, featured titles browsing, remote printing, and access to online library resources for Ohio library card holders.
• Digital Collections Comprehensive digital media collection including eBooks and eAudiobooks through Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla, streaming video via Kanopy, eMagazines, and music through Freegal and Hoopla, available to library card holders.
• Library of Things Non-traditional library lending program featuring Makerboxes (tools and supplies for creation), electronic devices including eReaders, tablets, hotspots, cake pans, board games, activity kits, learning kits, and Doorway to Dayton Activity Passes for museum and attraction access.
• Memory Digitization Lab DIY photo and video digitization equipment allowing patrons to preserve photos, documents, and outdated media. Launched in 2024.
• Research Databases Online research resources including Consumer Reports, New York Times (expanded to All-Access May 2026), Wall Street Journal, Dayton Daily News via NewsBank, and EBSCO databases. Research database use reached 215,652 sessions in 2024, up 13%.
• Tech Help (Tech Tutoring) One-on-one technology assistance service. Tech tutoring requests increased 65% in 2024. Drop-in sessions available as indicated on event calendar.
• Meeting Rooms Public meeting spaces available for community groups, school groups, and private events. Meeting room use increased 32% in 2024, with 2,017 reservations. Community Room equipped with Crestron AirMedia wireless presentation and ListenWIFI assistive listening.
• Children's Storytime Programs Weekly storytime programs including Baby Storytime (ages 0-18 months), Terrific Tales (ages 3-5), Books & Blocks (ages 18-36 months), Music & Movement (first Fridays, ages 0-5), and outdoor Storytime at Shafor Park (summer). Total of 11,906 youth program attendees in 2024.
• Summer Reading Challenge Annual reading incentive program for youth, teens, and adults with prizes, virtual badges, raffle entries, and prize wheel spins. Managed through Beanstack platform. The 2026 challenge features 'Unearth a Story' with All-American Road Trip theme running June 1-July 31.
• Book Clubs Various book club offerings for patrons to join and participate in group reading discussions.
• Author Talks Virtual and in-person author events featuring acclaimed authors, including both online virtual interviews and in-person presentations.
• Passport Services Passport application processing service. Passport processing grew 17% in 2024.
• Notary Public Document notarization service. Notary services increased 77% in 2024.
• Copy, Print, Fax, Scan Document services including black and white printing ($0.15/page), color printing ($0.25/page), copying, faxing, and scanning. Mobile printing available via web upload or email attachment with payment kiosk release.
• Home Delivery Service for homebound patrons providing delivery of library materials. Home delivery usage increased 29% in 2024.
• Ecology and Nature Programs Environmental education programming covering native plants, pollinators, conservation, and sustainable gardening. Includes partnership with Green Oakwood and ecology experts. Programs on quilt lawns, ancestor trees, native plants, and fireflies. Library grounds feature 2 native plant gardens added in 2022.
• Far Hills Speaker Series Local history talks on Oakwood, Ohio, and Dayton area presented in partnership with Oakwood Historical Society. Held select Sundays 2:00-3:00 PM, available in-person (limited to 80) or virtually via Zoom. Past presentations available on YouTube.
• Dayton Literary Trail Self-guided local history tour featuring 15 talented writers who called the Miami Valley home, with 26 stops along the trail. Includes featured writers such as Wilbur and Orville Wright, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Virginia Hamilton, and Erma Bombeck.
• Computers and Wi-Fi Public computer access and internet connectivity. Computer sessions totaled 12,312 in 2024.
• Interlibrary Loan Materials borrowed from other libraries with loan periods and fines differing from standard library items.
• Library Card Services Library card issuance and management including standard cards for Ohio residents (renewed every 3 years), eCards for digital-only access, Teacher Cards for educators, and cards for temporary Ohio residents and non-residents who work in Ohio.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11% increase in library visits in 2024
• +6 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration16 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oakwood City SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for community read initiatives and educational programming. In 2024, partnered for the community read of 'The Anxious Generation' by Jonathan Haidt, sparking important conversations about technology's impact on youth mental health.
• Green OakwoodcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Environmental partnership for ecology and nature programming. Co-presented programs on native plants, fireflies, and sustainable landscaping. Partnered on Nature's Best Hope community read initiative.
• Oakwood Historical SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Longstanding partnership for the Far Hills Speaker Series, presenting local history talks on Oakwood, Ohio and the Dayton area.
• Five Rivers MetroParkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership for ecology and conservation programming, outdoor education, and environmental initiatives including Native Plant programs and Nature's Best Hope community read.
• Dayton Area Wild OnesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Regional chapter partnership for native plant education and ecological programming, including co-presenting the Native Plant Garden Tour.
• Aullwood Audubon CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Environmental education partnership providing admission passes for patron borrowing and co-presented educational programs.
• Homegrown National ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Grassroots conservation initiative led by Doug Tallamy. Wright Library hosted the community read and event series for Nature's Best Hope, promoting native plant landscaping for biodiversity.
• OSU ExtensionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Ohio State University Extension partnership providing educational resources on gardening, environmental sciences, and horticulture through Ohioline fact sheets and Ask an Expert hotline.
• Marianist Environmental Education CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Environmental education partnership providing native plant and conservation programming resources.
• BeanstackcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017Reading challenge tracking platform for Summer Reading programs for youth, teens, and adults with mobile app and web access.
• Ohio Digital Library (Overdrive/Libby)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2014Statewide digital lending consortium providing access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, and video content through the Libby app and Ohio Digital Library platform.
• Hoopla DigitalcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2014Digital content platform partnership providing access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, comic books, music, movies, and television shows for patrons.
• KanopycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2014Streaming video partnership providing thousands of movies including festival award-winning films, documentaries, and The Criterion Collection.
• OPLIN (Ohio Public Library Information Network)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2014State library consortium providing research databases, New York Times digital access, Wall Street Journal access, and other online resources.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Cleveland Public Library: Large urban Ohio public library system funded through the same PLF mechanism. Comparable core offerings but with urban rather than suburban service demographic.
• Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County: Large, multi-branch Ohio public library system operating on the same PLF funding model. Comparable in core service offerings but operates at much greater scale and geographic breadth across Hamilton County.
• Columbus Metropolitan Library: Major Ohio public library system serving Franklin County on the same PLF and property-tax funding model. Comparable service categories (Library of Things variants, digital lending, programming) but at substantially larger scale.

Direct peers

• Dayton Metro Library: The regional public library system serving the broader Dayton metro area including Oakwood. Most directly comparable peer in terms of geography, Ohio PLF funding model, and service mix; Wright residents are geographically embedded within Dayton Metro's service territory.
• Kettering-Moraine Branch Library: Branch of Dayton Metro Library serving Kettering, an adjacent suburb to Oakwood. Comparable in service mix, technology stack, and patron profile to Wright Library.
• Beavercreek Community Library: Suburban Dayton-area public library serving a comparable middle-to-upper-income Ohio community with similar PLF-funded operating model and program offerings.
• Washington-Centerville Public Library: Neighboring suburban public library system in Centerville/Washington Township, immediately adjacent to Oakwood. Comparable scale, suburban Ohio community profile, and reliance on the same PLF funding stream.

Others

• Oakwood Historical Society: Local nonprofit partner of Wright Library that co-presents the Far Hills Speaker Series and other heritage programming. Comparable as an Oakwood-focused cultural/heritage institution but not a direct library competitor.
• Five Rivers MetroParks: Regional parks system and core programming partner of Wright Library for ecology and nature initiatives. Comparable as a public-serving community programming organization in the same Dayton-area geography, but not a library.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7BHSzmS-cAZuH3eHp6DkwQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/wrightlibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/wrightlibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wright-memorial-public-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Wright Memorial Public Library