Tiverton Public Library

What Tiverton Public Library does

Tiverton Public Library is a municipal public library system serving the residents of Tiverton, Rhode Island. It operates two physical branches - the main Tiverton Public Library at 34 Roosevelt Avenue and the historic Union Public Library at 3832 Main Road, the latter operated in partnership with the Union Public Library Association (established 1820, 501(c)(3)). The library offers a unified service platform combining traditional physical lending (books, DVDs, CDs, museum passes) with an extensive digital lending stack: e-books and audiobooks via Libby and the OverDrive-powered eZone, digital magazines via Flipster, and on-demand streaming video via Kanopy. Educational programming spans early literacy (Babytime, Storytime Adventures, Storytime To-Go kits), STEM/STEAM workshops (Flight Path Project), nature and gardening education (Pollinator Pals, Nature Explorers, Free Seed Program), and adult technology classes covering Microsoft and Google productivity suites.

The institution's technology backbone relies entirely on third-party platforms rather than proprietary systems: the Ocean State Libraries shared catalog (oslri.net), EbscoHost, World Book Encyclopedia, NewsBank, Auto Repair Source, and Zoom for virtual programming. A distinctive feature is the Library of Things - a collection of loanable non-traditional items including microscopes, ukuleles, toolboxes, sports equipment, and chess sets. The StoryWalk®, a registered outdoor reading pathway, was converted to a permanent fixture around the main library building in December 2025, with a Storytime Stroll series planned for Summer 2026. Distribution extends beyond the branches through home delivery ('Library to Go'), museum pass reservations, and meeting room rentals.

Tiverton Public Library is funded as a non-profit municipal institution through town appropriations, Rhode Island state library funding, and donations. Two affiliated 501(c)(3) organizations - the Tiverton Library Foundation and Friends of Tiverton Libraries - supplement public funding with private donations, memberships ($10-$50 annual tiers), and vehicle donation programs. The library adopted a fine-free policy on July 1, 2021, eliminating overdue fines to remove access barriers. Catherine Damiani serves as Library Director. The library is governed by the Tiverton Library Trustees with no parent company, no private equity exposure, and no commercial revenue model.

Name

Tiverton Public Library

Legal name

Tiverton Public Library

Website

https://tivertonlibrary.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Tiverton Public Library is a municipal public library in Tiverton, Rhode Island, operating two branches and serving local residents with physical and digital lending, educational programming, and community services funded through town appropriations and donor support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community lending programs
• Digital library resources
• Children's literacy programs
• Community education events

Headquarters

HQ city

Tiverton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Funding: Municipal and state funding from town of Tiverton and Rhode Island government
2. Donations and Fundraising: Donations from the public, Friends of Tiverton Libraries organization, and Tiverton Library Foundation (501(c)(3) nonprofit)
3. Fine-Free Model: As of July 1, 2021, Tiverton-owned materials no longer accrue overdue fines. Replacement fees are still assessed for lost or damaged materials
4. Tiverton Library Foundation: 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supplements public funding with additional funding from foundations, businesses, organizations, and individuals to provide equipment, materials, and programs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tiverton Public Library is a municipal public library system serving Tiverton, Rhode Island, offering free access to physical and digital lending collections (books, DVDs, CDs, e-books, audiobooks, digital magazines), on-demand streaming video, online research databases, and a unique Library of Things (loanable games, sports equipment, tools, and instruments). It also delivers community programs for all ages, technology classes, museum passes, meeting room reservations, notary services, and home delivery for homebound patrons. The system operates two branches: the main Tiverton Public Library and the historic Union Public Library branch.

Product overview

Tiverton Public Library is a public library system in Tiverton, Rhode Island, offering a unified service platform that combines traditional physical lending with extensive digital resources. The core offerings include the Library of Things (loanable games, sports equipment, and tools), digital media services (Libby/eZone for e-books/audiobooks, Kanopy for streaming video, Flipster for digital magazines), and educational programs. The library provides technology assistance through Tech Classes and one-on-one appointments, cultural programming including Summer Reading Programs with the Plant a Seed, Read! initiative, and specialized children's services like StoryWalk®, Flight Path Project workshops, and storytime programs. Additional services include museum passes, meeting room reservations, notary public services, and home delivery for homebound patrons. The system operates the main Tiverton Public Library and the Union Public Library branch.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library of Things

Quantifiable outcome

• Fine-free policy adoption in July 2021 removes barriers to library use for low-income individuals, older adults, children, and families
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• URI Master GardenerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerURI Master Gardeners partner with the library for educational programs including Pollinator Pals, Nature Explorers, Flight Path Project, and the annual seed distribution program. Miss Sheila serves as the library's URI Master Gardener.
• Ocean State LibrariescoreTechnology or IntegrationOcean State Libraries consortium provides the shared catalog system (oslri.net) and digital lending platform connecting Tiverton and other Rhode Island libraries.
• Lees MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal grocery store that donates a portion of cash register receipts to support library programs and services.
• Clements' MarketplaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal grocery store that donates a portion of cash register receipts to support library programs and services.
• Ocean State Job Lot Charitable FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDonates still-viable seeds from OSJL stores to URI Cooperative Extension annually, which are then distributed free to the community through the library's Free Seed Program.
• Warwick Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWarwick Public Library loaned an HTC Vive to Tiverton Library for Virtual Reality events in February 2019, made possible by a Studio Rhode Next Generation Library Challenge grant.
• STARnet LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors the Flight Path Project workshop series focused on bird preservation and migration education.
• Tangled Bank StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors the Flight Path Project workshop series and provided the documentary film Puffling Patrol for screenings.
• Ocean State Media / RI PBSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Ocean State Media and RI PBS for the Cyberchase Green It Up: Migration Workshop and Our Town Tiverton documentary screening.
• Tiverton Arts CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Tiverton Arts Council for monthly Art House Film Night screenings and discussions.
• Friends of Tiverton LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports library programs, museum passes, and operations through membership fees, donations, and fundraising. Annual memberships range from $10 (Individual) to $50 (Benefactor).
• Tiverton Library FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to supplement public funding with additional funding from foundations, businesses, organizations, and individuals to provide equipment, materials, and programs.
• Visiting Nurse Home & HospiceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides free blood pressure and wellness clinics at the library for community members.
• Union Public Library AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent nonprofit association (501(c)(3)) operating the Union Public Library branch. Established in 1820, it maintains the historic library building and provides volunteer-staffed services.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• New York Public Library: A major urban public library system with extensive digital lending, community programming, and a Library of Things-style lending program; useful as a benchmark for the upper end of public-library service breadth and innovation that small libraries emulate.
• Boston Public Library: A regional New England public library system operating multiple branches with comparable collections, digital lending, programming, and museum-pass services; relevant as a regional benchmark for service breadth.
• Hennepin County Library: A large suburban county library system recognized for innovative programming, maker spaces, and digital lending — an incumbent benchmark for evolving public-library service models.
• Providence Public Library: The largest public library in Rhode Island; operates statewide library services, runs similar digital lending and programming, and serves as the regional hub that smaller libraries like Tiverton connect into via the Ocean State Libraries consortium.

Direct peers

• Newport Public Library: A Rhode Island municipal public library offering print and digital collections, public programs, and information services to its community; comparable in funding model, digital lending platform usage (Libby/OverDrive), and museum-pass program to Tiverton.
• Bristol Public Library (Rhode Island): A Rhode Island municipal public library serving a similarly-sized East Bay community; operates with an analogous Friends-of-the-Library nonprofit and municipal funding mix.
• Portsmouth Free Public Library: A neighboring Rhode Island town public library serving a similarly-sized coastal Rhode Island community; operates with comparable municipal funding, branch footprint, and program breadth, making it the closest functional analog to Tiverton Public Library.
• Barrington Public Library: A small-town Rhode Island public library offering comparable services — physical lending, digital collections, children's and adult programming — to a similar affluent coastal-suburb demographic.

Emerging players

• Ann Arbor District Library: A Michigan district library widely recognized for its "Library of Things" lending program and innovative community services (including a seed library analog); useful as an emerging peer for the specific non-traditional lending model Tiverton has adopted.

Others

• Ocean State Libraries: The Rhode Island library consortium that provides Tiverton Public Library's shared catalog (oslri.net) and digital lending platform (eZone); included because it is the technology backbone Tiverton depends on and shapes its digital reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TivertonPublicLibrary

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Tiverton Public Library