Wood Dale Public Library District

What Wood Dale Public Library District does

Wood Dale Public Library District is a special-purpose municipal library district organized under Illinois statute, serving residents of Wood Dale, Illinois from a single facility at 520 N Wood Dale Rd. The district operates as a tax-funded public entity governed by a Board of Library Trustees, with the Library Director overseeing a management team that includes an Assistant Director and five department managers covering Youth Services, Technical Services, Information Technology, Public Services, and Operations. Services are delivered free of charge to district residents with a valid library card, while non-residents may purchase cards via a property-tax-based formula (0.4188% for FY2026-2027), 15% of monthly rent for renters, or under categorical waivers for veterans, minors, employees of district businesses, and School District #7 students.

The library's service portfolio combines physical and digital lending, facility access, and community programming. Physical offerings include books, audiobooks, music, movies, the Library of Things (including Meta Quest VR headsets), a Seed Library, and museum/local attraction passes. Digital resources span eBook and audiobook apps (Libby, Hoopla), streaming video (Kanopy, Kanopy Kids), comics (Comics Plus), language learning (Rosetta Stone), professional development (LinkedIn Learning), academic support (Brainfuse HelpNow/JobNow, Fiero Code, BookFlix, TumbleBookLibrary), test prep (LearningExpress Library), encyclopedic content (World Book Online), and a 55-database EBSCO research package plus Ancestry Library Edition and Chicago Tribune access. Facility services include meeting and study rooms (Barbara E. Dunn Meeting Room and others), public computers and WiFi, print/copy/scan/fax via ePRINTit cloud printing, a coffee bar, play spaces, EV charging, a Free Little Pantry, and a StoryWalk outdoor reading installation. Free homebound delivery serves residents unable to visit in person. Programs cover the full age spectrum from toddler storytimes through teen D&D clubs to adult tech workshops and senior programming, scheduled through a Communico-powered event calendar.

The underlying technology stack centers on the SWAN (System Wide Automation Network) consortium ILS, which provides shared catalog (OPAC), patron authentication, and interlibrary loan across 100 Illinois libraries. Operational integrations include Communico for event and room booking, ePRINTit for cloud printing, and OpenAthens-mediated single sign-on to third-party digital vendors. Revenue is derived primarily from property tax levies on the district's geographic tax base, supplemented by non-resident card fees, monetary donations and memorials, and local business sponsorships of programs and materials. Marketing and community reach operate through the library's website, email newsletters via LibraryAware, social media, local press (Daily Herald, Chicago Sun-Times), and partnerships with Wood Dale School District #7, Bensenville Community Public Library, and community organizations including Red Cross and St. Sophia's Forgotten Felines.

Name

Wood Dale Public Library District

Legal name

Wood Dale Public Library District

Website

https://wooddalelibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wood Dale Public Library District is a tax-funded municipal library district in Wood Dale, Illinois, operating a single facility that provides free physical lending, digital resources, programming, and community amenities to district residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210), Libraries and Archives (51921)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community programming
• Digital lending platforms
• Educational resources
• Interlibrary loans

Headquarters

HQ city

Wood Dale

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, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Property Tax Revenue: Primary funding source from property taxes collected from Wood Dale Public Library District residents. The library operates as a tax-funded public institution.
2. Non-Resident Fees: Fees charged to non-residents for library card issuance and services. Fee structure includes property-based calculations (0.4188% tax rate for 2026-2027), renter fees (15% of monthly rent), and employee waivers.
3. Monetary Donations and Gifts: The library accepts unrestricted monetary gifts, memorials, and bequests to support library resources and services. Donors can contribute to specific collections or strategic initiatives.
4. Sponsorships: Local businesses and organizations can sponsor programs, materials, equipment, and services at the library.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Wood Dale Public Library District is a public library district serving residents of Wood Dale, Illinois with free access to physical and digital collections, community programming, facility services, and educational resources. It lends books, audiobooks, movies, and equipment (Library of Things), provides access to digital lending platforms (Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, Comics Plus), educational platforms (Rosetta Stone, LinkedIn Learning, Brainfuse), and research databases (Ancestry, EBSCO). Services are funded by property taxes for residents, with non-resident cards available for a fee.

Product overview

Wood Dale Public Library District operates as a public library system offering a unified suite of services combining physical collections, digital resources, facility access, and community programs. The core offerings include library card services, physical media borrowing (books, audiobooks, movies), and specialized collections such as the Library of Things (equipment lending) and Seed Library. The digital portfolio centers on the Libby app for eBook/eAudiobook lending, complemented by integrated streaming platforms (Kanopy, Hoopla), educational databases (Brainfuse, EBSCO, Rosetta Stone, LinkedIn Learning), and research tools (Ancestry, World Book Online, NoveList). Facility services encompass study/meeting rooms, computer access, and specialty amenities including EV charging and a Free Little Pantry. Programs and events are managed through the Communico platform, while catalog and patron services operate through the SWAN consortium. The library serves as a community hub providing literacy programs, STEAM education, technology training, and homebound delivery for residents unable to visit in person.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Card & Borrowing Services Library card issuance and borrowing services allowing Wood Dale Public Library District residents to access physical and digital materials from the collection free of charge, with fee-based cards available to qualifying non-residents.
• Physical Collections (Books, Audiobooks, Movies, Music) Physical books, audiobooks, music, movies, and other media available for checkout from the library's shelves for residents and fee-paying non-residents.
• Library of Things (Equipment & Gadgets) Lending program offering equipment and gadgets such as VR headsets (Meta Quest) and other specialty items for community use beyond traditional books and media.
• Libby Digital Lending App User-friendly app allowing cardholders to borrow eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines for free with seamless reading and listening on mobile devices through library card authentication.
• Hoopla Digital Media Service Digital media service offering free access to movies, TV shows, music, eBooks, audiobooks, and eComics for streaming or download through library card authentication.
• Kanopy Streaming Service Streaming service offering thousands of movies, documentaries, and educational videos, including a dedicated Kanopy Kids collection, available for free with a library card.
• Comics Plus Digital comics, graphic novels, and manga platform offering unlimited access to a diverse collection for readers of all ages through library subscription.
• TumbleBookLibrary Digital library of animated, interactive eBooks for children featuring read-alongs, puzzles, and games designed to enhance literacy and learning skills.
• TeenBookCloud Digital library for teens offering eBooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, and educational resources to support reading and learning for adolescent audiences.
• Rosetta Stone Language Learning Language learning platform providing immersive instruction in over thirty languages through interactive lessons accessible via library subscription.
• LinkedIn Learning Expert-led video courses on business, technology, and creative skills for professional development accessible through library subscription.
• Brainfuse HelpNow Online tutoring service providing expert academic support, live homework help, and study resources for students of all ages through library subscription.
• Brainfuse JobNow Online platform offering job search assistance, resume building, interview coaching, and career resources for job seekers through library subscription.
• Fiero Code Interactive, self-paced coding platform for kids and teens teaching Python, HTML, JavaScript, and other programming languages through engaging projects.
• LearningExpress Library Test prep, skill-building, and career resources including practice exams, tutorials, and eBooks for students and professionals.
• World Book Online Digital encyclopedia offering trusted articles, videos, and learning resources for students of all ages to support research and education through library subscription.
• EBSCO Research Databases Package of 55 databases covering topics from car repair and legal resources to health information and academic research accessible through library subscription.
• BookFlix Interactive literacy resource pairing animated stories with nonfiction eBooks to help children develop reading skills and comprehension.
• Ancestry Library Edition Access to billions of historical records including census, immigration, and military data for genealogical research through library subscription.
• NoveList Book recommendation tool helping users find reads based on genre, reading level, and interests accessible through library subscription.
• Consumer Reports Expert reviews, ratings, and buying guides for products and services to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions accessible through library subscription.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting free books to children from birth to age five, supported through the library.
• Meeting & Study Rooms Reserved spaces including the Barbara E. Dunn Meeting Room, Small Meeting Room, and study rooms available for community use and booked through the Communico reservation platform.
• Public Computers & Internet Public access computers, wireless network (Wi-Fi), and internet connectivity available for community use at the library facility.
• Print, Copy, Scan & Fax Document printing, copying, scanning, and fax services for library patrons, including ePRINTit cloud-based printing from mobile devices.
• Homebound Delivery Free delivery of library materials to Wood Dale residents who are physically unable to visit the library due to disability or illness, delivered by staff every 2-4 weeks.
• Seed Library Program allowing patrons to borrow seeds to grow plants, supporting gardening, food cultivation, and environmental education in the community.
• StoryWalk Outdoor reading experience featuring illustrated books displayed along a walking path for community engagement and outdoor literacy activity.
• Programs & Events Library-sponsored programs including storytimes, book clubs, educational workshops, entertainment, and community events for all ages, scheduled through the Communico platform.
• EV Charging Stations Electric vehicle charging stations available at the library facility for community use.
• Free Little Pantry Community food pantry located at the library providing free food items to neighbors in need.

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SWAN (System Wide Automation Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationSWAN is a consortium of 100 libraries in Illinois that provides shared services including the integrated library system, shared online public access catalog, online authentication services to third-party vendors, and patron account notification services.
• Bensenville Community Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for joint programs including the Early Childhood Extravaganza event. Both libraries serve neighboring communities and work together on early literacy and community programming.
• Wood Dale School District #7coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntergovernmental agreement allowing the library to run summer media center programs and conduct literacy instruction. Students of the district are considered eligible non-residents and receive library cards at no charge.
• Red CrossminorOthersThe library hosts periodic Red Cross blood drives, providing space and support for community health initiatives.
• St. Sophia's Forgotten FelinesminorOthersAnimal rescue organization that holds cat and kitten adoption events at the library, providing space for the organization to connect pets with families.
• Mathnasium of Wood DaleminorOthersLocal math tutoring center that holds tabling events at the library to inform the community about math education services.
• North Suburban CarversminorOthersWood carving hobby group that meets at the library for carving sessions, providing educational hobby programming for the community.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Public Library: Citywide Illinois library system with 80+ locations and broad programming portfolio. Overlaps with Wood Dale on governance type (tax-funded municipal library) and core service mix, but operates at vastly greater scale and geographic breadth.

Direct peers

• Arlington Heights Memorial Library: Suburban Chicago library district of comparable demographic profile with strong programming and digital services. Provides a relevant operating model peer and a benchmark for community engagement intensity in the same regional market.
• Gail Borden Public Library District: Illinois library district (not municipal) serving Elgin with multiple locations and extensive programming. Provides a structural peer for the "district" governance model and a benchmark for what a scaling Illinois library district looks like operationally.
• Skokie Public Library: Suburban Illinois library district known for high programming intensity and digital innovation, SWAN-adjacent ecosystem. Comparable tax-funded governance and operating cadence, with stronger reputation in technology/STEAM programs.
• Addison Public Library: Adjacent DuPage County suburban library of comparable size and demographics, also SWAN member. Closely matched in building scale, programming breadth, and tax-funded municipal structure, making it a near-twin operating model.
• Bensenville Community Public Library: Neighboring Illinois public library serving adjacent community with very similar municipal library structure, programming, and SWAN consortium membership. Already an active programming partner (Early Childhood Extravaganza), making it the closest functional and demographic peer.
• Itasca Public Library: Small suburban Chicago library with similar single-building footprint, SWAN membership, and tax-funded model. Directly comparable in scale, community programming focus, and digital resource breadth.
• Elmhurst Public Library: DuPage County suburban library with similar single-building municipal structure, SWAN membership, and demographic profile. Provides a near-comparable operating model and community programming benchmark.

Regional players

• Schaumburg Township District Library: Larger suburban Illinois library district serving a comparable Chicago suburb with significantly greater scale and programming breadth. Useful peer for understanding what a successful scaled-up version of the Wood Dale model looks like within the same regulatory environment.
• Naperville Public Library: Large, well-resourced suburban Illinois library district with multiple locations and deep digital programming. Provides an upper-bound peer for what scale, funding, and programming breadth look like within the Illinois municipal/library-district framework.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wood-dale-public-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Wood Dale Public Library District