What Tulsa City County Library does

Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) is the public library system serving Tulsa County, Oklahoma, operating as a political subdivision of local government with roots tracing to the 1923 opening of the Red Fork Branch Library and currently operating 24 branch locations. Its service portfolio spans physical collections and reading rooms, digital content accessible through integrated vendor platforms (Libby/OverDrive, CloudLibrary, Hoopla, Comics Plus, PressReader, BookFlix), and free mobile applications (TulsaLibrary App, Summer Reading Program App, Build A Reader App) built on the BiblioCommons stack. The system is differentiated by four specialized resource centers — the American Indian Resource Center (4,000+ items at Zarrow), the Hispanic Resource Center (at Martin, with bilingual services and the biennial Hummingbird Award in Literary Arts carrying a $15,000 prize), the Nonprofit Resource Center (at Central, partnered with Candid), and the Genealogy Resource Center — plus signature programs such as the Summer Reading Program and After-School Homework Club. TCCL also operates TCCL Express, a self-service library vending kiosk at Tulsa Premium Outlets in Jenks, and rents venue spaces at Central Library.

TCCL's business model is primarily tax-supported: core library services are free at the point of use for Tulsa County residents who hold a free library card, with non-resident cards priced at $65 per year per household. Ancillary revenue streams include venue and meeting room rentals at Central Library (variable pricing with a 25% deposit requirement), replacement card fees, and philanthropic support channeled through two affiliated nonprofit entities — Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries (founded 1957, incorporated 1968) and the Tulsa Library Trust — plus targeted grants from partners such as the Hardesty Family Foundation (Build A Reader App) and Crosswinds News (Indigenous Peoples archive). Distribution is community-led across physical branches, a regional retail kiosk, mobile apps, and an online reference service (AskUs hotline, text at ASKTCCL, chat, and email). TCCL holds no disclosed venture or private-equity backing, has no publicly disclosed revenue or operating budget, and serves an exclusively Tulsa County customer base.

Operationally, TCCL is in an active expansion phase: Bronson Brookside Library opened in November 2025, TCCL Express launched in 2025, the Discover catalog upgrade went live in 2024, and a new Rudisill Regional Library is scheduled to open in fall 2026 in the Historic Greenwood District, with a broader "MY Library, OUR Future" initiative signaling further branch replacement plans. No proprietary AI or machine learning capabilities are disclosed; digital discovery and content delivery rely on third-party vendor platforms rather than in-house models.

Name

Tulsa City County Library

Legal name

Tulsa City County Library

Website

https://tulsalibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) is a public library system serving Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Operating 24 branch locations and a vending kiosk, it provides free physical and digital collections, mobile apps, and specialized resource centers to county residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

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), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital library collections
• Community education programs
• Cultural resource centers
• Library venue rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Tulsa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Library Services (Tax-Supported): As a public library system, TCCL is primarily funded through public tax revenues to provide free library services to Tulsa County residents. This supports all core operations including collections, programs, staff, and facilities.
2. Venue and Meeting Room Rentals: Central Library offers venue spaces for events including the A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Foundation Children's Garden (capacity 400), Aaronson Auditorium (capacity 200), Pocahontas Greadington Learning & Creativity Center (capacity 300), and other spaces for celebrations, corporate events, meetings and conferences.
3. Library Card Fees: Standard library cards are free for Tulsa County residents. Non-qualifying residents may obtain cards for $65 per year per household. Replacement cards available at branch locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tulsa City-County Library operates a public library system that provides free access to physical and digital collections, educational programs, and community resources across 24 branch locations in Tulsa County. Core offerings include lending of books, eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, movies, and music; digital content platforms (Libby/OverDrive, Hoopla, CloudLibrary, Comics Plus, PressReader); specialized resource centers for American Indian, Hispanic, and Nonprofit communities; educational programs for all ages; and venue rentals at Central Library.

Product overview

Tulsa City County Library operates a public library system with 24 branch locations offering physical materials, public computers, and in-person services, alongside a comprehensive digital collection accessible through multiple platforms (OverDrive/Libby, CloudLibrary, Hoopla, Comics Plus/LibraryPass, PressReader). The library provides mobile apps (TulsaLibrary App, Summer Reading Program App, Build A Reader App) for on-the-go access. Specialized resource centers include the American Indian Resource Center, Hispanic Resource Center, and Nonprofit Resource Center. Programs include the Summer Reading Program, After-School Homework Club, and Hummingbird Award in Literary Arts. Facilities include TCCL Express vending kiosk and meeting/venue spaces at Central Library.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physical Library Branches A network of 24 branch libraries and resource centers serving Tulsa County residents with physical materials, public computers, WiFi, programs, and in-person services.
• Digital Collections Digital collection of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, movies, music, and comics available through multiple platforms including OverDrive/Libby, CloudLibrary, Hoopla, Comics Plus, and PressReader.
• TulsaLibrary App Free mobile app that turns smartphones into a library on the go. Features keyword search, access to Shelves, reading lists, checkout and download digital items, real-time catalog records, browsing newly added items, and access to all digital content providers.
• Summer Reading Program App Mobile app for the Summer Reading Program. Allows Littles, Children, Teens, and Adults to register, add read titles to reading logs, and unlock completion prizes. Available from June 1 through July 31 each year.
• Build A Reader App Early literacy app helping parents and caregivers talk, sing, read, write and play with children. Features account with multiple child profiles, Reading Tracker for sticker and trophy awards, book recommendations, and staff demonstration videos. Made possible by Hardesty Family Foundation grant.
• American Indian Resource Center Specialized resource center located at Zarrow Regional Library providing cultural, informational, and educational resources highlighting American Indian culture. Home to over 4,000 collection items including historical and rare materials, films, and music. Programs include Festival of Words, Circle of Honor Award, and Writers Award.
• Hispanic Resource Center Specialized center at Martin Regional Library connecting Spanish-speaking communities with library services and Latino cultural resources. Offers bilingual storytimes, citizenship resources, HALA award, Latinx book collections, and cultural programming.
• Nonprofit Resource Center Located at Central Library, provides free public access to tools for forming nonprofit organizations, searching funding opportunities, writing grant proposals, and learning about philanthropy. A Candid Community Partner offering access to Foundation Directory and Foundation Maps databases.
• TCCL Express Library vending kiosk at Tulsa Premium Outlets in Jenks holding hundreds of popular books for all ages. Allows 14-day checkouts with TCCL library card and features adjacent book drop for returns.
• Venues at Central Library Event venue spaces at Central Library including A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Foundation Children's Garden (capacity 400), Aaronson Auditorium (capacity 200), Pocahontas Greadington Learning & Creativity Center (capacity 300), Peggy V. Helmerich Staircase, and South Outdoor Balcony (capacity 35). For celebrations, corporate events, meetings, and conferences.
• Meeting Rooms Meeting room facilities available at all branch locations for nonprofit, educational, civic organizations, and businesses for employee training. Accommodates groups of 5 or more with free attendance. Online reservation system available.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,000+ items in American Indian Resource Center collection
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CandidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTCCL is a Candid Community Partner providing free public access to Candid's database of 1.9 million+ nonprofits and 304,000 grantmakers through the Nonprofit Resource Center at Central Library. This partnership enables nonprofits and community members to find funding opportunities and nonprofit information.
• Crosswinds NewsminorOthersA Native-owned newsroom headquartered on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation reservation that made a generous donation to fund the Indigenous Peoples of North America Archive database. Crosswinds News is dedicated to amplifying voices of underrepresented and economically disadvantaged people.
• Friends of the Tulsa City-County LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1957 and incorporated in 1968, this nonprofit organization aids and promotes library activities and goals. Supports programs including Adult Creative Writing Contest, Books Sandwiched In, First Book initiative, Great Decisions foreign policy discussions, Staff Scholarship Program, Travels With Tulsans, and volunteer recognition.
• Hardesty Family FoundationminorOthersFunded the Build A Reader mobile app through a grant. The app helps parents and caregivers track early literacy development through talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing activities.
• Tulsa Library TrustcoreOthersProvides generous financial support for library programs including the Hummingbird Award in Literary Arts (HALA) and other Hispanic Resource Center initiatives. Essential partner for funding cultural programming.
• First BookminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationwide initiative to bring books to early readers, locally sponsored by Friends of the Library. Currently serves four Title I sites, providing more than 1,200 books annually to children from low-income families.
• Great DecisionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerForeign policy discussion groups hosted by Friends of the Library that meet across Tulsa, providing educational programming on international affairs.
• Local Organizations (YWCA Tulsa, Catholic Charities, Tulsa Community College, etc.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with local organizations to provide English language learning, citizenship assistance, education, health services, and community support. Hispanic Resource Center connects community members to services including YWCA Tulsa, Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, El Centro, and others.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Public Library: Public library system serving the City of Chicago with 81 branches and a robust digital platform including ebooks, streaming, and online learning; directly comparable to TCCL in operating many branch locations with vendor-integrated digital collections and community programming.
• Los Angeles Public Library: One of the largest U.S. public library systems with 73+ branches serving Los Angeles County, operating the Octavia Lab maker space and specialized research collections, with comparable mix of physical branches, digital collections, and cultural programming.
• New York Public Library: One of the largest public library systems in the U.S., operating 92+ branches across Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx with extensive digital collections and specialized research centers, including the Schomburg Center and Library for the Performing Arts—comparable in delivering multi-vertical community programming and specialized cultural resources.

Direct peers

• Denver Public Library: Municipal library system with central library and 25+ branches serving Denver residents, with notable cultural and genealogy collections; comparable to TCCL in operating regional libraries with specialized community resource centers.
• Multnomah County Library: Public library serving Multnomah County (Portland metro area) with 30+ branches including regional centers and culturally specific collections; comparable county-level library with strong partnerships, cultural programming, and the Library to Go / kiosk concept similar to TCCL Express.
• Indianapolis Public Library: Public library serving Indianapolis-Marion County with central library and 20+ branches, including specialized centers and family/early literacy programs; comparable mid-sized municipal system with similar community programming mix.
• Kansas City Public Library: Mid-size municipal public library system serving Kansas City, Missouri with multiple branches including regional centers, a vibrant digital collection, and community programming; analogous mid-scale public library model in the central U.S.
• Cleveland Public Library: Public library system serving the City of Cleveland with 27 branches, known for specialized collections (e.g., the John G. White Collection on chess) and dedicated outreach to underserved communities—comparable to TCCL's specialized resource centers and outreach programming.
• Baltimore County Public Library: County-level public library system in Maryland with 19 branches serving a suburban/urban mix, strong digital and STEAM programming, and dedicated children's and adult services—closely analogous to TCCL's county-level service model and demographic mix.
• Houston Public Library: Public library system serving the City of Houston with 40+ neighborhood branches, mobile app, and digital collections via OverDrive; similar mid-large municipal library scale with comparable focus on community learning programs, ESL classes, and digital inclusion initiatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/tulsalibrary
• Facebookfacebook.com/tulsalibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tulsa-city-county-library
• Instagraminstagram.com/mytccl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Tulsa City County Library