Palm Harbor Library

What Palm Harbor Library does

Palm Harbor Library is a non-profit public community library established in 1978 and operated as an entity of the Palm Harbor Community Services Agency (PHCSA), a governing nonprofit formed in 1986. The library operates from a single facility at 2330 Nebraska Ave., Palm Harbor, Florida, serving approximately 62,000 residents in the Palm Harbor Fire District. Its core offerings combine traditional physical lending (books, DVDs, CDs, vinyl, puzzles, video games) with digital lending through Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, and CloudLibrary — the last providing access to over 200,000 e-book and e-audiobook titles via the Florida CloudLink Cooperative. The library is also a member of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (PPLC), enabling inter-library loans across Pinellas County.

Beyond standard lending, the library operates an unusually broad portfolio of programmatic and experiential offerings differentiated by a 'Library of Things' approach: STEAM Kits, First Steps To Go Kits, Adaptive Toys, Musical Instrument Lending (David & Gail Meltzer Collection), Playaway Launchpad Tablets, Wonderbooks, a MakerSpace, a Robotics Program (Robofest competition winners), the Frank A. Weaner Teen Room, the Mark Mazurek Gaming Center, a Short Story Machine, a freshwater aquarium, an interactive mural, a Seed Library, Museum Passes, and a Reading Garden. The library is primarily funded through a 0.25-mill ad valorem property tax (unchanged since 1985), with supplementary revenue from Friends of the Library bookstore sales, PHLEF endowment contributions, ancillary service fees, and grants such as the $1,500 Florida Humanities/NEH America250 award and TBLC Innovation Grant.

The library is governed by a volunteer board structure spanning Friends of the Palm Harbor Library (founded 1979), the Palm Harbor Library Endowment Foundation PHLEF (501(c)3, established 1999), Advisory Council, and PHCSA. Current leadership comprises Library Director Matthew David, Assistant Director Cathy Wos, and department heads for Support Services, Youth Services, Adult Services, and Circulation. In January 2026, founder and first Library Director Jeannette Malouf passed away, marking an institutional transition after nearly 50 years of operation. The library was named 2025 Non-Profit Business of the Year by the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

Name

Palm Harbor Library

Legal name

Palm Harbor Library

Website

https://palmharborlibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Non-profit public library in Palm Harbor, Florida, serving approximately 62,000 residents with physical and digital lending, a broad Library of Things, STEM/robotics programs, and community cultural programming funded primarily by a fixed ad valorem tax.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community lending
• Digital media access
• Educational programming
• Special collections lending

Headquarters

HQ city

Palm Harbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ad Valorem Property Taxes: Primary funding source through Palm Harbor Community Services Agency (PHCSA). The millage rate has not increased since it was first established by Pinellas County in 1985. Library serves approximately 62,000 residents in the Palm Harbor area tax base.
2. Endowment Foundation Donations: Palm Harbor Library Endowment Foundation (PHLEF) accepts donations, endowments, legacies, stock, and trusts. Tax-deductible contributions support new construction, furniture, technology, special collections, and capital projects. Established as a 501(c)3 organization in 1999.
3. Friends Bookstore Sales: Friends' Bookstore sells gently used books, DVDs, CD Music, and magazines. Proceeds support library programs and activities sponsored by the Friends of the Palm Harbor Library.
4. Service Fees: Fees for printing ($0.10/page black & white, $0.50/color), faxing ($1.00/page), notary services ($5.00/stamp), and notary availability from 10:00am to 4:00pm subject to availability.
5. Grant Funding: External grants including $1,500 from Florida Humanities/NEH for America250 book collection expansion, and Tampa Bay Library Consortium Innovation Grant for Community Photography Project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Palm Harbor Library is a non-profit public library providing free lending of physical and digital media (books, DVDs, e-books, audiobooks, streaming video/music), educational programs for all ages, and community spaces to approximately 62,000 residents in the Palm Harbor Fire District. Core offerings include physical and digital collections access, special collections (STEAM kits, adaptive toys, musical instruments, camera collection), free educational programming (story times, robotics, book clubs, English tutoring), and ancillary fee-based services such as printing, faxing, and notary services.

Product overview

Palm Harbor Library operates as a traditional public library offering a unified platform combining physical collections with digital lending services. The core offering includes physical media lending (books, DVDs, CDs, vinyl) alongside digital access through Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, and CloudLibrary. Special Collections extend beyond traditional library materials to include STEAM Kits, First Steps To Go Kits, Adaptive Toys, Musical Instruments, Playaway Launchpads, Playaway Views, and Wonderbooks for children. The library features dedicated spaces including the Hazel Incantalupo MakerSpace, Mark Mazurek Gaming Center, Frank A. Weaner Teen Room, Reading Garden, and freshwater aquarium. Programming spans all ages through robotics competitions, story times, book clubs, genealogy assistance, and English language tutoring. Additional services include the Friends Bookstore, Homebound Delivery, Seed Library, Camera Collection, Museum Passes, and printing/faxing/notary services. The institution operates as an entity of the Palm Harbor Community Services Agency (PHCSA), serving approximately 62,000 residents in the Palm Harbor area tax base.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Yoffredo Activity Center: Activity center within the library featuring art displays and community programs
• Frank A. Weaner Teen Room
• PHL Robotics Program
• Hazel Incantalupo MakerSpace
• Mark Mazurek Gaming Center
• Homebound Delivery Service

Products and services

• Physical Library Collections Traditional library lending of physical media (books, DVDs, Blu-Rays, CDs, magazines, vinyl records, puzzles, video games) available for checkout with a library card to Palm Harbor area residents.
• Digital Lending Services Digital content lending through Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, and CloudLibrary platforms offering ebooks, audiobooks, streaming video, music, and digital magazines accessible with a library card.
• Library Programs for Adults, Kids, and Teens Scheduled programming including story times, book clubs, Tai Chi, DIY crafts, genealogy assistance, English language tutoring, Youth Advisory Board, robotics, and special events serving children, teens, adults, and seniors.
• Special Collections (Library of Things) Non-traditional lending items including Adventure Kits, Camera Collection, Birding Backpack Kits, Book Clubs To Go, Turntables, Vinyl Records, and Puzzle lending, plus sub-collections for kids including STEAM Kits, First Steps To Go Kits, Adaptive Toys, Musical Instruments (David & Gail Meltzer Collection), Wonderbooks, Playaway Launchpad Tablets, and Playaway Views.
• Friends Bookstore Used bookstore selling gently used books, DVDs, CD music, and magazines operated by volunteers of the Friends of the Palm Harbor Library, with proceeds supporting library programs and activities.
• Homebound Delivery Service Monthly delivery of up to 25 library materials to Palm Harbor residents who are unable to visit the library due to temporary or long-term physical illness or disability and reside within the Palm Harbor Fire District.
• Room Reservations Collaborative workspaces including community room, conference room, and study rooms available for reservation or first-come-first-serve use by library patrons.
• Printing, Copying, Faxing & Notary Services Mobile print service via Princh plus in-library black and white printing ($0.10/page), color printing ($0.50/page), outgoing faxing ($1.00/page, capped at 30 pages), and notary services ($5.00/stamp) available 10:00am-4:00pm subject to availability.
• Museum Passes Free admission passes to Tampa Bay area museums and historical sites (including Heritage Village and Glazer Children's Museum) available for checkout to adult PPLC cardholders in good standing.
• PHL Robotics Program Free robotics education program teaching LEGO Spike Prime coding and building principles to students in grades 5-8, with competitive teams participating in Robofest competitions.
• Hazel Incantalupo MakerSpace Art-themed maker space for children ages 5-12 offering pipe cleaners, seashells, beads, paint, and other materials for creative take-home projects.
• Mark Mazurek Gaming Center Gaming collection area with video games, tabletop RPGs, board games, SNES Classic, Sega Genesis Flashback, and dedicated gaming table for checkout and in-library play.
• Seed Library Circulating seed packets stored in vintage card catalog drawers, featuring plants adapted to Central Florida climate, limited to 3 packets per week per patron.
• Short Story Machine Story dispensing machine offering short stories in children, general audience, and Spanish categories, with submissions accepted from local authors.
• Palm Harbor Lending Library (Outdoor Kiosk) Outdoor lending kiosk allowing patrons to borrow and return books without entering the library building.
• Frank A. Weaner Teen Room Designated teen space featuring gaming computers with Steam games, console gaming station, modular collaborative tables, Bite-Sized Fiction machine, and Take a Book/Leave a Book shelf.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free access to information and educational resources for approximately 62,000 Palm Harbor area residents
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Friends of the Palm Harbor LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit support organization founded December 18, 1979. Operates the bookstore, sponsors English classes and tutoring, funds virtual author talks, and provides volunteer support. Holds annual artPHL Evening fundraising event.
• Palm Harbor Library Endowment Foundation (PHLEF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)3 organization established in 1999 (Tax ID 59-3589810) that supports capital projects, new construction, furniture, technology, and special collections. Led by volunteer board including President Mike Alvarez and PHL Director Matthew David as Ex Officio.
• Palm Harbor Community Services Agency (PHCSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning agency that oversees Palm Harbor Library along with other community services. Established in 1986 with 20,472 registered voters in the MSTU district. Comprised of representatives from Friends of Library, Recreation League, Chamber of Commerce, and appointed members.
• Tampa Bay Library Consortium (TBLC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded Innovation Grant for Community Photography Project. Partnered on Interactive Mural project and museum pass program providing free admission to Tampa Bay area museums.
• Suncoast Genealogy SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization founded in 1983 serving Northern Pinellas and Southern Pasco Counties. Offers free genealogy research assistance at Palm Harbor Library every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1:00-4:00 PM. Monthly meetings held fourth Saturday.
• SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree Medicare/Medicaid counseling program offered by Florida Department of Elder Affairs through Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas. SHINE volunteers available for appointments at library on first Tuesday of each month.
• Literacy Council of Palm HarborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free English language tutoring, conversation classes, grammar classes, citizenship classes, and read-alongs for adults. Sponsored by Friends of the Palm Harbor Library. Currently has waitlist for tutoring services.
• Palm Harbor MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical society partner hosting monthly presentations at library and joint events for America250 celebration. Maintains permanent display case at library with rotating exhibits. Also partnered for Heritage Village's 50th anniversary events.
• Palm Harbor Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHosts monthly Community Coffee Hour at library. PHL Director serves on Main Street Association Board. Library named 2025 Non-Profit Business of the Year.
• Palm Harbor Parks & RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint programming partner for events including Halloween Carnival, Christmas Tree Lighting, and community celebrations. Both part of PHCSA organization.
• Area Museums (Tampa Bay)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLibrary provides free museum passes through PPLC for area museums and historical sites including Heritage Village, Glazer Children's Museum, and others.
• Jim Terry MusicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for the David & Gail Meltzer Musical Instrument Collection, helping make musical instruments available for checkout to kids.
• Elisa's Greatest WishesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit supporting the Musical Instrument Collection and the Elisa Nelson American Girl Doll Collection for America250 celebrations.
• GoodwillminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnsold donated books from Friends bookstore are redirected to Goodwill for another life of service, supporting underprivileged children and Goodwill's housing and employment programs.
• Stilt House BreweryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for the Ales & Tales Book Club held monthly, bringing together book lovers in a community setting.
• Leepa-Rattner Museum of ArtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for ABC (Art, Books, and Community) Reading Club held monthly, connecting literature with art appreciation.
• Opera for EarthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerforming arts organization that presented interactive American tradition music shows for America250 celebrations.
• Creative PinellasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPinellas County non-profit local arts agency. Marketing Associate Ketsy Ruiz featured in September presentations. Featured library's Short Story Machine in magazine article.
• Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (PPLC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty-wide library cooperative enabling inter-library loans, fine-free system, museum pass program, and shared digital resources. PPLC member libraries include Palm Harbor, Clearwater, and East Community Libraries.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dunedin Public Library: A community public library serving nearby Dunedin, FL in Pinellas County. Directly comparable as a similarly sized single-location public library serving a defined local population with comparable programming, collections, and digital lending services.
• Tarpon Springs Public Library: A community public library serving nearby Tarpon Springs, FL in Pinellas County. Directly comparable as a similarly sized community library serving a comparable local population with overlapping collections, digital lending, and programming functions.
• Clearwater Public Library: A fellow PPLC member library operating in nearby Clearwater, FL. Directly comparable as a public library serving a similar community size in the same cooperative system, sharing access to digital platforms, inter-library loans, and similar programming models.
• Safety Harbor Public Library: A small community public library serving the city of Safety Harbor in Pinellas County. Directly comparable as a similarly scoped single-branch municipal library in the same regional market offering comparable services to a comparable population size.
• Largo Public Library: A community public library serving the city of Largo in Pinellas County. Comparable as a moderately sized single-jurisdiction public library in the same county serving a similar population profile with comparable digital lending, special collections, and community programming.
• East Lake Community Library: A fellow PPLC member library operating in the East Lake area of unincorporated Pinellas County, sharing the same governing cooperative and a similar community-branch structure. Directly comparable as a small community library serving a defined residential district within the PPLC system.
• Oldsmar Public Library: A small community public library serving the nearby city of Oldsmar in Pinellas County with a similar single-branch community service model. Directly comparable as a small municipal library operating in the same metropolitan area with similar collection size and programming scope.

Broad incumbents

• Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (PPLC): The county-wide library cooperative that Palm Harbor Library belongs to, enabling inter-library loans, fine-free access, museum pass programs, and shared digital resources across Pinellas County member branches. Comparable as the parent governance and resource-sharing structure that defines how PHL operates.
• Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative (HCPLC): The public library cooperative serving adjacent Hillsborough County and the Tampa metropolitan area. Comparable as a larger county-wide library system operating in the same regional market with overlapping digital lending, programming, and community service functions.
• Tampa Bay Library Consortium (TBLC): A regional library consortium of which Palm Harbor Library is a member, providing innovation grants, cooperative purchasing, and shared programming across Tampa Bay area libraries. Comparable as the regional partnership layer through which PHL accesses grant funding and collaborative initiatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtiktok.com/@palm_harbor_library
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@palmharborlibrary
• Facebookfacebook.com/palmharborlibraryfans
• Instagraminstagram.com/palm_harbor_library/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/palm-harbor-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Palm Harbor Library