Wells Public Library
Wells Public Library is a quasi-municipal public library in Wells, Maine, serving residents of five surrounding communities with book lending, digital resources, museum passes, public computing, programming, and community meeting spaces, funded primarily by municipal taxes and the Friends of the Library nonprofit.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersWells, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Wells Public Library does
Wells Public Library is a quasi-municipal public library located at 1434 Post Road in Wells, Maine. Incorporated at the March 1969 Town Meeting and opened to the public on December 4, 1978, the library is governed by a nine-member elected Board of Trustees under the authority of the Town of Wells. It operates with approximately 8 staff led by Library Director Lee Shaw (appointed November 2025), delivering services to residents of Wells and four adjacent communities (Moody, Ogunquit, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport) plus a small non-resident cardholder pool. Core operations span book and media lending, nine public-access computers with printing, free high-speed WiFi, WiFi HotSpot lending (T-Mobile 5G), four Level-2 EV chargers, meeting room rentals, the Ethel M. Weymouth Art Gallery, and accessibility services including homebound delivery.
The library's underlying technology stack is standard public-library infrastructure rather than proprietary platforms: it integrates CloudLibrary (ebooks/audiobooks), Comics Plus/LibraryPass (digital comics), Digital Maine Library (article and newspaper database), and Kanopy (streaming video). Catalog access runs through the Minerva/Maine statewide shared catalog. The library website (built by CyberOptik) is designed to WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards. No proprietary technology, AI/ML systems, or app products are operated by the library itself.
The business model is fundamentally non-commercial. The library is funded primarily through Town of Wells municipal tax appropriations, supplemented by grants and donations channeled through the Friends of the Wells Public Library (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has contributed over $175,000 since 2014). Earned revenue is incidental and minimal: non-resident library cards ($20/year or $10 for three months), printing fees ($0.15 B&W / $0.50 color per page), and EV charger usage fees ($0.34/kWh via credit card or Enel-X app). Free resident services, supplemented by the Maine Reciprocal Borrowing Program (56 participating libraries statewide) and Portland Public Library partner-card access, define the customer value proposition.
Wells Public Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wells Public Library
- Legal name
- Wells Public Library
- Website
- https://wellslibrary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Wells Public Library is a quasi-municipal public library in Wells, Maine, serving residents of five surrounding communities with book lending, digital resources, museum passes, public computing, programming, and community meeting spaces, funded primarily by municipal taxes and the Friends of the Library nonprofit.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Wells Public Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (519210), Libraries and Archives (51921), Public Administration (92), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)
Keywords
Where Wells Public Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wells
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Wells Public Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Library Card Fees: Resident library cards are free for legal residents of Wells, Moody, Ogunquit, Kennebunk, and Kennebunkport. Non-resident cards are available for $20/year or $10 for 3 months. This represents minimal revenue generation as the library is primarily funded through municipal taxes.
- Printing Services: Printing charges of 15 cents per black and white page and 50 cents per color page provide ancillary revenue from library patrons using public computers.
- EV Charging: The library operates 4 Level-2 EV chargers available 24 hours/day at $0.34 per kWh, generating revenue from public charging.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Resident Library Card - Free |
| Subscription | Annual | Non-Resident Annual Card |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Non-Resident Short-term Card |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Black & White Printing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Color Printing |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | EV Charging Rate |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Wells Public Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Wells Public Library is a municipal public library offering free library cards to residents of Wells and surrounding communities, with borrowing access to physical and digital materials, public computers, free WiFi, museum passes, community programming for all ages, meeting rooms, EV chargers, and homebound delivery services. The library is primarily funded through municipal taxes and serves as a community hub for educational, cultural, and social activities.
Product overview
Wells Public Library is a municipal public library offering a unified portfolio of lending, digital, and community services. Core offerings include physical library cards (resident and non-resident), book and material borrowing, museum passes, WiFi HotSpot lending, meeting room rentals, public computers with printing, and EV chargers. Digital services encompass CloudLibrary (ebooks/audiobooks), Comics Plus, Digital Maine Library, Kanopy streaming, and Portland Public Library partner resources. The library provides programming for children, teens, and adults including book clubs, craft programs, and Summer Reading. Accessibility services include homebound delivery and accommodations for visually impaired patrons. The Ethel M. Weymouth Art Gallery hosts rotating exhibitions. The institution partners with Portland Public Library for expanded cardholder access and participates in the Maine Reciprocal Borrowing Program statewide network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Wells Public Library Card
- Portland Public Library Card
- Book and Material Borrowing
- Museum Passes
- WiFi HotSpot Lending
- Meeting Room Rental
- Public Computers and Printing Services
- EV Charging Stations
- Ethel M. Weymouth Art Gallery
- CloudLibrary Digital Lending
- Comics Plus Digital Lending
- Digital Maine Library Database Access
- Kanopy Streaming Video
- Portland Public Library Online Resources
- Children's Programs
- Teen Programming
- Adult Programs
Companies that use Wells Public Library
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Wells Public Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Wells Public Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Brick Store MuseumminorThe library offers free admission passes to the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk for Wells Library cardholders. The museum is open year-round at 117 Main St., Kennebunk, ME.
- Children's Museum and Theatre of MaineminorPatrons receive 50% off admission passes for up to 4 people per day. Located at 250 Thompsons Point Road, Portland, ME.
- Children's Museum of New HampshireminorLibrary patrons receive 50% off admission for up to 4 people to the Children's Museum of New Hampshire in Dover. Located at 6 Washington Street, Dover, NH.
- Coastal Maine Botanical GardensminorPass provides free admission for two adults and any number of children (under age 18). Wells Library cardholders in good standing can borrow this pass. Located at 105 Botanical Gardens Dr., Boothbay, ME.
- Ogunquit Museum of American ArtminorSingle-use pass allows free admission for 4 people. Museum open May-October from 10-5 daily at 543 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME.
- Portland Museum of ArtminorFree passes available for 2 adults and up to 6 children per day. Located at the corner of High and Congress Streets in downtown Portland.
- Seashore Trolley MuseumminorPasses worth 50% off admission for the bearer and their immediate family. Located at 195 Log Cabin Road in Kennebunkport, ME.
- Southworth PlanetariumminorPasses provide free admission for groups of up to 6 people at a time. Located on University of Southern Maine campus at 70 Falmouth St, Portland, ME.
- Wells Reserve at LaudholmminorPass provides free admission for 1 family at a time. Located at 342 Laudholm Farm Road in Wells. Not valid during special events.
- Friends of the Wells Public Librarycore501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1979 that has contributed over $175,000 to the library since becoming a nonprofit in 2014. Supports children's programs, adult programs, museum passes, summer reading, and the Bill Ryan Memorial Art Collection. Meets 2nd Wednesday monthly at 10:15 a.m.
- Maine State LibrarycoreThrough the Maine Reciprocal Borrowing Program, Wells patrons can borrow materials from 56 participating libraries statewide. The library also connects patrons to Maine State Library's Ask a Librarian service and Outreach Services for the blind and visually impaired.
- Portland Public LibraryminorFree Portland Public Library cards available to Wells residents, enabling book borrowing from any Portland branch and access to digital resources including Consumer Reports, Global NewsStream, HeritageQuest, Learning Express Library, and Mango Languages.
- AARP Tax-AideminorAARP provides free tax preparation services at the library. Appointments available by calling 207-806-2774 beginning January 12.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Wells Public Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Boston Public Library: Large urban public library system providing the same core library and digital resource services but at significantly greater scale. Broad incumbent illustrating the upper bound of the public library operating model.
- Maine State Library: Statewide library agency administering the Maine Reciprocal Borrowing Program and Ask a Librarian service referenced in Wells' operations. Functions as a coordinating incumbent for all Maine public libraries, including Wells.
Direct peers
- Portland Public Library: Maine's largest public library, serving the Portland metro area. Direct peer - same public library service model, overlapping digital platform (CloudLibrary, Kanopy), and an active partner of Wells via the free Portland card program for Wells residents.
- Ogunquit Public Library: Municipal library serving Ogunquit, another of the 5 free-service communities for Wells residents. Comparable in scale, target market (York County coastal Maine), and program offerings.
- Kennebunk Public Library: Municipal public library in Kennebunk, Maine, one of the 5 communities Wells serves free of charge. Closely comparable in scale, governance model (Board of Trustees), and service mix in a southern Maine coastal market.
- York Public Library: Municipal public library in York, Maine, adjacent to Wells in southern coastal Maine. Closely comparable service model, governance structure, and participation in Maine reciprocal borrowing network.
- Kennebunkport Public Library: Public library in Kennebunkport, another of the 5 communities served free by Wells. Comparable small Maine coastal town library with overlapping programming and reciprocal borrowing participation.
- Barnstable Public Library (Massachusetts): Comparable New England coastal municipal library serving multiple villages with programs for all ages, museum passes, and digital resources. Useful benchmark for the small-coastal-town public library operating model.
Others
- AARP Foundation: Provider of the AARP Tax-Aide program delivered at Wells Public Library. Them-to-us service partner; not a peer but adjacent because tax-assistance programming is a distinct value-add Wells offers residents.
- CloudLibrary (Bibliotheca): Digital ebook/audiobook platform that Wells Library licenses for patron access. Ecosystem vendor rather than a competitor - relevant because the digital resource stack is a key Wells differentiator.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Wells Public Library social profiles
Digital presenceWells Public Library compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Wells Public Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wells Public Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Wells Public Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wells 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 Wells Public Library
What does Wells Public Library do?
Wells Public Library is a municipal public library offering free library cards to residents of Wells and surrounding communities, with borrowing access to physical and digital materials, public computers, free WiFi, museum passes, community programming for all ages, meeting rooms, EV chargers, and homebound delivery services. The library is primarily funded through municipal taxes and serves as a community hub for educational, cultural, and social activities.
Is Wells Public Library a public or private company?
Wells Public Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Wells Public Library founded?
Wells Public Library was founded in 1968.
Where is Wells Public Library based?
Wells Public Library is headquartered in Wells, United States, in the North America region.
How does Wells Public Library make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Library Card Fees are the primary driver. The others are printing Services and EV Charging.
Who are Wells Public Library's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Boston Public Library and Maine State Library. Direct peers are Portland Public Library, Ogunquit Public Library, Kennebunk Public Library, York Public Library, Kennebunkport Public Library and Barnstable Public Library (Massachusetts). Others are AARP Foundation and CloudLibrary (Bibliotheca).
Does Wells Public Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wells Public Library.
What industry is Wells Public Library in?
Wells Public Library's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services, with a secondary code of EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management. Its NAICS code is 519210.