Missoula Public Library
Missoula Public Library is a government-operated public library system serving Missoula County, Montana, with eight locations plus a bookmobile. It provides free physical and digital collections, MakerSpace, media labs, children's programming, and partnership-based cultural and educational services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1894
- HeadquartersMissoula, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Missoula Public Library does
Missoula Public Library (MPL) is a government-operated public library system serving Missoula County, Montana. It operates one main downtown library (455 E. Main St.) and seven branch locations — Big Sky, Frenchtown, Lolo, Potomac, Seeley Lake, and Swan Valley — supplemented by a bookmobile service, totaling eight community access points. All primary services (library cards, materials lending, computer use, WiFi, programs) are free to residents. Its user base spans the full community, with targeted programming for youth and families, teens, educators, seniors, and food-insecure residents.
The library's core service is lending physical materials (books, periodicals, media) and providing access to digital content (e-books, audiobooks, online databases), enabled by a SirsiDynix-based integrated library system that allows cross-branch searching and reservation. Specialized facilities and programs within the main building include the MakerSpace for hands-on creation, the MCAT Media Lab for audio/video/animation production (including Blender software training), the Imaginarium children's space, and a Demonstration Kitchen. Value-added services include remote web printing, online meeting room reservations, passport acceptance (authorized acceptance facility), and genealogy research support. The Library of Things program lends non-traditional items such as telescopes, kitchen gadgets, cake pans, and Culture Passes to local cultural organizations; Book Kits serve educators and groups.
As a public-sector entity, MPL is funded through local government appropriations and charitable donations (via the Foundation for Missoula Public Library), not commercial revenue. Its go-to-market model relies on physical presence across eight locations, a globally accessible digital catalog, multi-channel community engagement (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, email newsletters), and offsite programming at partner sites. Notable partners include spectrUM Discovery Area (STEM activities), the Missoula Food Bank/EmPower Place (literacy and food programs), Museum of the Rockies, Missoula Symphony, Clearwater Credit Union, Climate Smart Missoula, Bare Bait Dance, AniMeals, and Big Sky High School (which hosts a branch).
Missoula Public Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Missoula Public Library
- Legal name
- Missoula Public Library
- Website
- https://missoulapubliclibrary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1894
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Missoula Public Library is a government-operated public library system serving Missoula County, Montana, with eight locations plus a bookmobile. It provides free physical and digital collections, MakerSpace, media labs, children's programming, and partnership-based cultural and educational services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Missoula Public Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (519210), Libraries and Archives (51921), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)
- 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-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)
Keywords
Where Missoula Public Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Missoula
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Missoula Public Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Missoula Public Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Missoula Public Library provides free public library services to Missoula County residents, including lending of physical and digital collections, library cards, internet/Wi-Fi access, maker spaces, children's programming, genealogy research, passport acceptance, and meeting room reservations. The system operates a main downtown library, seven branch locations, and a bookmobile, supported by an online SirsiDynix catalog and digital items portal.
Product overview
Missoula Public Library is a public library system providing traditional and digital library services through multiple branch locations. The library offers physical and digital collections accessible via SirsiDynix catalog, specialized spaces including MakerSpace and the Imaginarium for children's programming, and community services such as passport acceptance and genealogy research. The library also provides the Library of Things lending program with telescopes, kitchen equipment, and culture passes, along with accessibility services including the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. Technology services include web printing and meeting room reservations through an online booking system.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Physical Collection Lending Traditional library collection including books, periodicals, and physical media available for borrowing across all branch locations.
- Digital Collection E-books, audiobooks, digital magazines, and online databases accessible through the library's digital items portal for cardholders.
- Library Catalog (SirsiDynix) Online public access catalog for searching, reserving, and managing library materials across all branches.
- Branch Library Access Access to eight library locations including the Downtown main library, Big Sky, Frenchtown, Lolo, Potomac, Seeley Lake, and Swan Valley branches, plus a bookmobile service.
- Library of Things Lending of non-traditional items including telescopes, kitchen gadgets, cake pans, and Culture Passes for free admission to local cultural organizations.
- MakerSpace Creative maker space offering tools and equipment for hands-on learning and creation available to library patrons.
- Passport Acceptance Services Authorized acceptance facility for U.S. passport applications processing on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.
- Genealogy Research Services Research resources and assistance for genealogical inquiries, supported by the Tony Veazey Montana Room collection.
- Summer Learning Program Annual summer program encouraging continued learning and reading for youth through themed activities, events, and reading challenges.
- Meeting Room Reservations Online booking system for reserving library meeting rooms and event spaces including the Cooper Room, Blackfoot Room, and Demonstration Kitchen.
- Web Printing Remote printing service allowing patrons to send print jobs from personal devices to library printers.
- Accessibility Services Services supporting patrons with disabilities including the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, service animal accommodations, and web accessibility features.
Companies that use Missoula Public Library
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Missoula Public Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Missoula Public Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- spectrUM Discovery AreacorespectrUM Discovery Area provides hands-on science activities at the library, offering the Discovery Area Science Activity program with hours from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm, bringing STEM education to library patrons.
- Missoula Food Bank (EmPower Place)corePartnership to provide library services at the Missoula Food Bank location. Tiny Tales early literacy program presented at EmPower Place. Free grab-and-go lunches offered at Frenchtown Branch through Missoula Food Bank.
- Museum of the RockiesmajorMuseum of the Rockies presents programs at the library including 'Reading with a Raptor' and 'Montana Dinosaurs 101' educational programming.
- Missoula SymphonymajorMissoula Symphony provides musical performances at library branches including harp performances and Symphony Kids woodwind quintet concerts. Features Jewel River Harp Duo and other musicians.
- Clyde CoffeeminorCoffee shop located within the library building, providing food service amenity for patrons.
- American Red CrossminorAmerican Red Cross Blood Drives hosted at the library in the Cooper Room.
- Clearwater Credit UnionminorFinancial Community Education programs presented at the library through partnership with Clearwater Credit Union.
- Bare Bait DanceminorBodyCraft Pop-Up for Youth dance program presented in collaboration with Bare Bait Dance.
- Climate Smart MissoulaminorClimate Smart Missoula co-presents 'Planting Resilience: Terrarium Workshop' as part of the Summer Learning Program.
- AniMealsminorBookmobile visits AniMeals location for 'Read with Cats' program where children read to animals.
- Big Sky High SchoolminorBig Sky Branch Library is located at Big Sky High School, serving the local community.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Missoula Public Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bozeman Public Library: Bozeman Public Library is a Montana public library system serving the Gallatin Valley with similar multi-branch services, programming, and community partnerships. Most directly comparable as a same-state peer with overlapping community-hub positioning.
- Billings Public Library: Billings Public Library is a Montana public library system operating in Montana's largest city. Directly comparable as a same-state peer providing traditional and digital library services to a regional Montana community.
- Spokane Public Library: Spokane Public Library operates a comparable multi-branch Pacific Northwest public library system with similar programming depth, digital services, and community partnerships. Directly comparable in scale, region, and operational scope.
- Pikes Peak Library District: Pikes Peak Library District serves the Colorado Springs region with extensive branches, programming, and digital services. Directly comparable as a similarly-sized Mountain West multi-branch library district with broad community programming.
- Helena Public Library: Helena Public Library is a Montana state-capital public library system. Direct same-state peer providing traditional and digital library services with comparable programmatic depth.
- Boise Public Library: Boise Public Library is a similarly-sized multi-branch Mountain West public library system offering digital collections, programming, and community partnerships. Closely aligned in regional positioning, scale, and service mix.
Broad incumbents
- Salt Lake City Public Library: Salt Lake City Public Library operates a flagship facility and branch system with strong programming, digital services, and architectural presence. Comparable as a Mountain West public library with similar facility-centric service design philosophy.
- Denver Public Library: Denver Public Library is a large urban public library system offering MakerSpaces, digital services, and deep community partnerships. Comparable as a Mountain West incumbent with a more developed programmatic and digital footprint than MPL.
- Seattle Public Library: Seattle Public Library is a flagship urban library system with strong digital infrastructure, programming, and partnerships. Broad incumbent peer providing a model for how MPL's flagship 2021 building could evolve into a deeper community-technology hub.
- Multnomah County Library: Multnomah County Library is a larger, well-established Pacific Northwest public library system serving the Portland metro area. Operates as a broader incumbent with more extensive programming, branches, and budget — providing a benchmark for how MPL's programming and partnerships could scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Missoula Public Library social profiles
Digital presenceMissoula Public Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Missoula Public Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Missoula Public Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Missoula 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 Missoula Public Library
What does Missoula Public Library do?
Missoula Public Library provides free public library services to Missoula County residents, including lending of physical and digital collections, library cards, internet/Wi-Fi access, maker spaces, children's programming, genealogy research, passport acceptance, and meeting room reservations. The system operates a main downtown library, seven branch locations, and a bookmobile, supported by an online SirsiDynix catalog and digital items portal.
Is Missoula Public Library a public or private company?
Missoula Public Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Missoula Public Library founded?
Missoula Public Library was founded in 1894.
Where is Missoula Public Library based?
Missoula Public Library is headquartered in Missoula, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Missoula Public Library's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bozeman Public Library, Billings Public Library, Spokane Public Library, Pikes Peak Library District, Helena Public Library and Boise Public Library. Broad incumbents are Salt Lake City Public Library, Denver Public Library, Seattle Public Library and Multnomah County Library.
Does Missoula Public Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Missoula Public Library.
What industry is Missoula Public Library in?
Missoula 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.