Kendallville Public Library

What Kendallville Public Library does

Kendallville Public Library (KPL) is a tax-supported, non-profit municipal public library system serving Noble County, Indiana, founded in 1913. It operates two physical branches — the main Kendallville location at 221 South Park Avenue (building opened 2007) and the Limberlost Branch in Rome City at 164 Kelly Street (opened 1997) — providing free lending services, digital resources, and educational programming to residents of Kendallville, Rome City, and portions of Wayne, Orange, and Allen townships. Core offerings include traditional book and media lending managed through the Evergreen Indiana integrated library system (ILS), the Cortex MakerSpace equipped with Cricut Maker and Press, VHS-to-DVD converters, Canon Pixma printer, and Accu-Cut systems, the Russell Frehse Genealogy Center with Ancestry.com, microfilm, and local history archives, the Library of Things (air fryers, stand mixers, DSLR cameras, 70+ yard games), Doorstep Delivery, and Curbside Pickup. Digital access is delivered through Libby/OverDrive, Hoopla, INSPIRE (Indiana's Virtual Library, including Rosetta Stone with 30 languages), Gale (Chilton Automotive, Legal Forms), and Niche Academy-hosted tutorials (KPL Connect, Cortex Academy); the patron website runs on the Communico platform.

The business model is predominantly tax-funded, with the service district providing primary operating revenue through local property taxes. Ancillary streams include fines and fees (meeting room rentals to for-profit organizations ranging $20–$60 per room, replacement cards, print services), donations (READ campaign, memorial/honor gifts, general support), Friends of the Library memberships ($5 individual / $10 family annual) and book sales, Kroger Community Rewards quarterly contributions (code QC028), and interest from the 501(c)(3) Foundation for the Kendallville Public Library endowment established in 1990. The library is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees appointed by Noble County Commissioners (2), Noble County Council (2), and East Noble School Corporation (3); Mindy London serves as Executive Director. Headcount is 11–50 employees. A major multi-phase, $5,575,000 bond-funded renovation project is underway from July 2025 through June 2026, covering children's, teen, adult, circulation, maker space, genealogy, and meeting room remodels at both branches.

Customer segments served include the general community, children and families, genealogists and local historians, adult learners and hobbyists, and homebound/mobility-limited patrons. The library runs the annual Kleiman Creative Writing Contest for grades 4–6 (attracting ~160 entries across partner schools), the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten early literacy program, seasonal reading challenges (Winter Reading 2026), and an extensive event calendar spanning Preschool Storytime, yoga, barre, anime club, book clubs, craft programs, teen cooking, and sensory-friendly hours. Museum partnerships with Science Central, the Botanical Conservatory, and Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum provide free family passes to patrons. School partnerships with East Noble School Corporation and community programming with the Orange Township Fire Department extend the library's reach beyond its buildings.

Name

Kendallville Public Library

Legal name

Kendallville Public Library

Website

https://kendallvillelibrary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kendallville Public Library is a tax-supported municipal public library system operating two branches in Noble County, Indiana, providing free lending materials, digital resources, maker and genealogy services, and educational programming to local residents since 1913.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210), Libraries and Archives (51921), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Civic Education & Community Engagement (Voting, Local Government) (EDAAAFAC)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community lending programs
• Local history research
• Maker space access
• Early literacy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Kendallville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tax-supported public funding: As a public library, primary funding comes from local tax revenues. The library district covers Kendallville, Rome City, Wayne Township, Orange Township and portions of Allen Township.
2. Fines and fees: Schedule of fees for various library services including meeting room rentals (for-profit organizations), replacement cards, print/copy services.
3. Foundation endowment program: Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) foundation accepting endowment gifts including monetary contributions, bequests, life insurance, and property. Interest from principal used for library donations.
4. Friends of the Library book sales: Book sale events raising funds through membership contributions ($5 individual, $10 family) and book sale proceeds. Friends organization supports programs and equipment.
5. Kroger Community Rewards: Quarterly donations based on Kroger Plus Card spending in the community rewards program. Code QC028 identifies the library.
6. Donations: Direct donations including READ (Reading, Education and Discovery) campaign, memorial/honor donations, and general support. Donation drop-box available for materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kendallville Public Library is a two-branch municipal public library system that provides free physical and digital lending of books, audiobooks, e-books, DVDs, and periodicals to residents of its service area. Beyond traditional lending, the library delivers specialized services including a MakerSpace, a genealogy and local history research center, non-traditional item lending (Library of Things), home delivery and curbside pickup for accessibility, and meeting room rentals, alongside a calendar of educational and recreational programs for all ages such as storytimes, book clubs, fitness classes, and seasonal reading challenges.

Product overview

Kendallville Public Library operates as a two-branch library system (Kendallville and Limberlost) offering physical and digital lending services through the Evergreen Indiana catalog. The library's core offerings include traditional book and media lending, complemented by specialized services such as the Cortex makerSpace with creative equipment, the Russell Frehse Genealogy Center for local history research, and the Library of Things program lending non-traditional items. Patron services include personalized Book Bundles, Doorstep Delivery, Curbside Pickup, and extensive meeting room facilities including a Sensory Room. The library runs youth literacy programs like 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and the annual Kleiman Creative Writing Contest, as well as seasonal initiatives like Winter Reading Challenges. Digital access is provided through Libby, Hoopla, Indiana Digital Library, INSPIRE databases including Rosetta Stone, and Ancestry.com for in-library genealogy research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Card and Evergreen Indiana Catalog Free library cards (prefix 27516) for residents of the KPL service area providing patron access to physical and digital materials plus services at both Kendallville and Limberlost branches, plus the online Evergreen Indiana catalog for searching, reserving, and managing those materials.
• Book Bundle Personalized Reading Service Personalized reading recommendation service in which library staff select books based on patron preferences submitted via questionnaire, available for adults and for children and teens through Youth Services.
• Cortex MakerSpace Makerspace offering specialized equipment including a VHS-to-DVD converter, Cricut Maker and Press, Canon Pixma Printer, and Accu-Cut System, supported by Cortex Academy tutorial videos and Ask KPL one-on-one training.
• Library of Things Lending collection of non-traditional items including kitchen appliances (air fryers, stand mixers), electronics (DSLR cameras), and 75+ yard games, available for free checkout to patrons.
• Russell Frehse Genealogy Center Local history and genealogy research facility with Ancestry Library Edition for in-library use, plus microfilm, yearbooks, family histories, military records, digitized local records, and historical club collections.
• Doorstep Delivery Service Home delivery service for KPL cardholders with difficulty accessing the library, delivering materials up to two times per month per household within the 27516 service area.
• Curbside Pickup Contactless pickup service allowing patrons to place holds online or by phone and retrieve materials without entering the library.
• Yard Games Lending Outdoor game lending including cornhole, bocce balls, giant games, Kan Jam, and 75+ other yard games, with up to 5 games checkable for 7 days.
• Meeting Rooms and Sensory Room Rentals Multiple meeting and study room options including a Board Room (capacity 10), Meeting Rooms (capacity 9–100), Large Meeting Rooms A–D with AV equipment and kitchenettes, plus a Sensory Room for sensory-friendly use (first-come, first-served, max 2 people, 30-minute sessions).
• 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Early literacy program encouraging families to read 1,000 books before kindergarten, including book bags, tracking booklets, and B.A.B.E. Store vouchers.
• Kleiman Creative Writing Contest Annual creative writing contest for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students with categories including Fiction, Non-Fiction, Graphic Novel, Chapter Books, Alphabet Books, and Poetry, delivered in partnership with East Noble School Corporation and local schools.
• Winter Reading Challenge Seasonal reading challenge for kids, teens, and adults with tracking sheets, prizes, and grand prize drawings, running December through February.
• eReader Guides for Libby Tutorials and guides helping patrons install the Libby app and download digital books to eReader devices.
• Youth Book Club Kits Pre-packaged book club sets for youth groups containing multiple copies of titles with discussion guides, searchable through the Evergreen Indiana catalog.
• Museum Passes Free family passes to Science Central, Botanical Conservatory, and Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum available to library patrons, including the ACD Museum Family Pass for up to 2 adults at the same address and their dependent children.
• Friends of the Library Membership Annual membership organization supporting library programs and equipment through individual ($5) and family ($10) memberships and book sale proceeds, with benefits including Members Only preview sales and postcard reminders.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 160 students participated in the 28th Annual Kleiman Creative Writing Contest
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration18 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Foundation for the Kendallville Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1990501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation established to provide financial support outside the tax system. Managed by board of 5-10 trustees serving 3-year appointments. Supports endowment program through 'Investing in the Future of Your Library' initiative.
• Evergreen Indiana ConsortiumcoreTechnology or IntegrationThe library uses the Evergreen Indiana integrated library system for catalog management, circulation, patron accounts, and online registration. This consortium provides the technical infrastructure for all library operations including the online catalog at kendallville.evergreenindiana.org.
• Indiana State Library / INSPIREcoreTechnology or IntegrationINSPIRE is Indiana's Virtual Library providing access to databases, digital resources, and Rosetta Stone language learning. The library connects patrons to INSPIRE through their website, enabling access to 30+ language courses and research databases.
• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger Community Rewards program allows shoppers to link their Kroger Plus Card (code QC028) to generate quarterly donations to the library based on their spending. Easy enrollment through kroger.com/communityrewards.
• Auburn Cord Duesenberg (ACD) MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLibrary provides Family Passes to the ACD Museum in Auburn, valid for up to 2 adults at the same address and their dependent children. Part of museum pass program alongside Science Central and Botanical Conservatory.
• Science CentralminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLibrary provides passes to Science Central, a hands-on science center, as part of their museum pass program for patrons.
• Botanical ConservatoryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLibrary provides passes to the Botanical Conservatory as part of their museum pass program, expanding community access to educational attractions.
• Hoopla DigitalcoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital media platform available through the library offering ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music, and TV shows for free with library card. Integration through library website.
• OverDrive / LibbycoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary digital lending platform providing ebooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines through the Libby app. Library provides eReader guides to help patrons access content.
• Ancestry.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationAncestry Library Edition available for in-library use at the Russell Frehse Genealogy Center, supporting genealogy research with access to historical records.
• East Noble School CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool district that appoints three members to the Library Board of Trustees. Partners on the Kleiman Creative Writing Contest engaging 4th-6th grade students across local schools including St. Mary, Wayne Center, Oak Farm Montessori, and others.
• Orange Township Fire DepartmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partnership hosting off-site programming including Preschool Storytime, Barre with Brittany, and Yoga with Brittany at the fire department location.
• Schenkel ConstructionminorOthersGeneral contractor awarded the renovation project for both Kendallville and Limberlost branches. Based in Fort Wayne, IN. Project expected to conclude around June 2026.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Indianapolis Public Library: The Indianapolis-Marion County public library, the largest single-county library system in Indiana. Comparable municipal-governance model with a broader footprint; useful reference for large-scale programming, foundation structures, and digital resource provisioning.
• Mid-Continent Public Library: One of the largest public library systems in the U.S. (Missouri). Useful benchmark for scale, programming, and digital infrastructure, though operating in a different state and funding model.
• Allen County Public Library: The largest public library system in Indiana, headquartered in Fort Wayne, also serving northeast Indiana including the Kendallville region. Operates multiple branches, extensive digital resources, and similar programming, making it the dominant regional peer for funding and consortial comparisons.

Regional players

• Warsaw Community Public Library: Northern Indiana public library serving Warsaw in Kosciusko County, adjacent to Noble County. Operates a similar two-branch model with comparable municipal funding and program offerings, making it a directly comparable regional peer.
• Elkhart Public Library: Northern Indiana public library serving Elkhart with multiple branches and similar service mix (Genealogy Center, digital lending, community programs). Regional peer with comparable population-scale operations and governance model.
• St. Joseph County Public Library: Public library system serving South Bend and St. Joseph County in north-central Indiana. Comparable consortial membership, digital infrastructure, and programming breadth; useful peer for assessing northern Indiana operational benchmarks.

Others

• OverDrive (Libby): Core technology and content partner providing the Libby ebook/audiobook platform used by Kendallville. Not a peer in the operating sense, but a critical infrastructure vendor; relevant for understanding cost dynamics of digital lending.
• Indiana State Library / INSPIRE: Statewide library authority operating INSPIRE, Indiana's virtual library, through which Kendallville provides Rosetta Stone and research databases. Key consortium operator and policy-setting body for all Indiana public libraries.
• Hoopla Digital: Digital media platform partner streaming ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music, and comics to library patrons. Ecosystem participant relevant to digital service strategy and cost benchmarking.

Direct peers

• Noble County Public Library (and branches): County-wide library system with branches serving Noble County communities. The most direct geographic peer to Kendallville, sharing patrons, school-district boundaries, and consortial relationships within Evergreen Indiana.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1TedABCMZ7r2l8KGpRzr3Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/kendallvillelibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/kendallvillepubliclibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kendallville-public-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Kendallville Public Library