Menasha Public Library
Menasha Public Library (Elisha D. Smith Public Library) is a municipal public library in Menasha, Wisconsin, providing free lending, digital resources, educational programming, and a community makerspace to Wisconsin residents through the Winnefox Library System consortium.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1896
- HeadquartersMenasha, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Menasha Public Library does
Menasha Public Library, formally the Elisha D. Smith Public Library, is a municipal public library established in 1896 and operating as a government entity under the governance of the City of Menasha and Winnebago County, Wisconsin. The library is a member of the Winnefox Library System, a consortium of 30 libraries spanning five Wisconsin counties (Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Waushara, and Winnebago), with mutual card recognition across member libraries. The institution delivers free lending services, digital resources, educational programming, and community programming to all Wisconsin residents regardless of age or economic status, anchored by its 440 First Street, Menasha facility.
The library's core offerings are organized around physical collection lending (books, DVDs, audiobooks, games) accessible via the SirsiDynix-powered catalog, a 24/7 Digital Library aggregating access to third-party platforms (Libby/Overdrive, Hoopla, Kanopy, LinkedIn Learning, Creativebug, EBSCO, Britannica, Ancestry Library Edition), the SMITHworks Makerspace with Cricut equipment and digital conversion tools, a Library of Things (WiFi hotspots, Chromebooks, Rokus), children's STEAM kits, a Local History Room with microfilm archives back to 1854, and business services (printing, faxing, notary). The technology stack is primarily third-party — SirsiDynix for ILS, Winnefox mobile app, Papercut for mobile printing, GetLocalHop for room reservations, Constant Contact for newsletters — with no proprietary AI/ML components.
The business model is government-funded through municipal and county tax appropriations, supplemented by minor transaction fees from printing/copying (10¢–25¢ per page) and fax services ($2 per fax), voluntary patron donations, and a few paid interlibrary loan and equipment-late fees. The library operates a fine-free model on most materials to reduce access barriers. Distribution is multi-modal: physical walk-in access, curbside pickup, mobile app, and 24/7 online digital resources. Governance is by a nine-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Menasha Mayor (seven members, including the school district superintendent) and Winnebago County Executive (two members). No venture, private equity, or outside ownership interests are present.
Menasha Public Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Menasha Public Library
- Legal name
- Elisha D. Smith Public Library
- Website
- https://menashalibrary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1896
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Menasha Public Library (Elisha D. Smith Public Library) is a municipal public library in Menasha, Wisconsin, providing free lending, digital resources, educational programming, and a community makerspace to Wisconsin residents through the Winnefox Library System consortium.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Menasha Public Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)
Keywords
Where Menasha Public Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Menasha
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Menasha Public Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Public Funding (Tax Revenue): Primary funding from municipal tax revenue as a public library serving the City of Menasha, Wisconsin. Governed by a Board of Trustees with oversight from the mayor and city council.
- Donations and Support: Voluntary donations from patrons and community members through the Support the Library program. Includes one-time and recurring donation options.
- Printing and Copying Services: Revenue from black and white printing (10¢/page) and color printing (25¢/page). Also includes photocopy services and fax services.
- Notary and Business Services: Public notary services provided by librarians (suggested donation). Fax send/receive services at $2 per fax.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Library Card - All Wisconsin Residents |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Printing Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fax Services |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | SMITHworks Makerspace Access |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Menasha Public Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Menasha Public Library is a municipal public library providing free access to physical collections (books, DVDs, audiobooks, games), a 24/7 digital library, a community makerspace, technology lending, public computers and WiFi, printing/scanning/faxing, meeting rooms, and educational programs. Services are delivered through a single physical location, an online catalog spanning 30 Winnefox member libraries across 5 Wisconsin counties, and curated access to third-party digital platforms for ebooks, streaming, online learning, and genealogy research.
Product overview
Menasha Public Library (Elisha D. Smith Public Library) is a public library system operating as a single unified service organization rather than a technology product company. The library offers an integrated portfolio of physical and digital resource services centered around its core Library Card membership. Physical collection lending provides access to books, media, and games through the SirsiDynix-powered catalog across 30 Winnefox system libraries. The Digital Library platform aggregates access to third-party streaming and database services including Libby/Overdrive, Hoopla, Kanopy, Creativebug, and LinkedIn Learning for e-books, streaming media, and online learning. SMITHworks Makerspace provides hands-on and digital creation tools. The Library of Things extends access to technology equipment like WiFi hotspots, Chromebooks, and Rokus. Children's services include Discovery Kits, Story Bags, and educational technology like Launchpads and Wonderbooks. Local History Room offers genealogical and historical research resources. Business services round out the offering with notary, printing, scanning, and fax capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SMITHworks Makerspace: A self-guided community makerspace within the library designed for patrons to explore interests, connect with community, and create unique items. Features tools, Cricut machines, computer stations, and specialty printers.
Products and services
- Physical Collection Lending
- Digital Library
- SMITHworks Makerspace
- Library of Things
- Public Computer and WiFi Access
- Printing and Scanning Services
- Business Services
- Children's Library of Things
- Local History Room
- Meeting Room Reservations
- Winnefox Mobile App
Quantifiable outcome
- Library card valid at 30 member libraries across 5 counties
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Menasha Public Library
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Menasha Public Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Menasha Public Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Winnefox Library SystemcoreThe Elisha D. Smith Public Library is a member of the Winnefox Library System, a consortium of 30 libraries serving 5 counties in Wisconsin (Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Waushara, and Winnebago). Library cards are valid at all member libraries, enabling patrons to access materials across the regional system.
- Overdrive/LibbycoreDigital audiobook and ebook platform providing downloadable content accessible through the Libby app. Includes Libby for general users, Libby Kids, and Libby Teens versions.
- HooplacoreDigital media streaming platform offering movies, TV shows, music, and comics with no waiting periods for popular titles.
- LinkedIn LearningcoreOnline learning platform providing video courses in software, creative, and business skills taught by industry experts.
- KanopycoreStreaming video service featuring critically-acclaimed movies, documentaries, and foreign films available ad-free with library card. Includes Kanopy Kids for children.
- CreativebugcoreAward-winning art and craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists, available for SMITHworks makerspace users.
- EBSCO Information ServicescoreProvides extensive research databases including Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier, Consumer Reports, Regional Business News, and more through the EBSCOhost platform.
- BritannicacoreComprehensive reference and learning resources including Britannica Library, Britannica School (Elementary, Middle, High), and Britannica Fundamentals for early learners.
- Ancestry Library EditioncoreGenealogy, family trees, and family history records database available for in-library use by patrons researching ancestry.
- Menasha Joint School DistrictcoreSchool district partnership providing teacher cards for educators, classroom visits, librarian visits to schools, and Book Club Kits. School district superintendent serves on library Board of Trustees.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Menasha Public Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Brown County Library: Brown County Library is a county-level public library system in Wisconsin with a larger geographic and operational footprint than Menasha Public Library. It demonstrates an institutional alternative model (county-wide) versus Menasha's single-municipality operation.
- Madison Public Library: Madison Public Library is a much larger Wisconsin public library system operating as a broad incumbent in the same state. It provides reference for how a larger municipal library scales programming, digital resources, and community partnerships relative to a smaller library like Menasha.
- Milwaukee Public Library: Milwaukee Public Library is the largest public library system in Wisconsin, providing a broad-incumbent reference point for the public-services model, scale, and programming depth that Menasha operates within at a smaller scale.
Direct peers
- Wautoma Public Library: Wautoma Public Library is a small Waushara County public library and fellow Winnefox Library System member, directly comparable to Menasha Public Library in services and scale.
- Appleton Public Library: Appleton Public Library serves a larger Fox Valley municipality within the same Outagamie/Winnefox ecosystem. It operates as a comparable mid-sized Wisconsin public library with similar collections, programming, and digital-resource offerings including makerspace-style services.
- Fond du Lac Public Library: Fond du Lac Public Library is a Winnefox Library System member serving a similar mid-sized Wisconsin city. Its operating model, digital offerings, and community programming are directly comparable to Menasha Public Library.
- Berlin Public Library: Berlin Public Library is a small Wisconsin public library that is a Winnefox Library System member, comparable to Menasha Public Library in catalog scope, digital-resource access, and community programming.
- Neenah Public Library: Neenah Public Library is the immediate neighboring city library in the Fox Valley, of similar size and character, also a member of the Winnefox Library System. It is the closest direct comparable for a same-size Wisconsin public library, sharing the same regional consortium and patron demographics.
- Fox Crossing Public Library: Fox Crossing Public Library is a small Wisconsin public library in the Winnebago County area, directly comparable to Menasha Public Library in scale, services, and patron base, with shared system membership through Winnefox.
- Oshkosh Public Library: Oshkosh Public Library is a fellow Winnefox Library System member serving a larger Wisconsin city. It offers a directly comparable catalog, digital-resource access, and community programming model to Menasha Public Library, making it a strong functional peer at a slightly larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Menasha Public Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Menasha Public Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Menasha Public Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Menasha 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 Menasha Public Library
What does Menasha Public Library do?
Menasha Public Library is a municipal public library providing free access to physical collections (books, DVDs, audiobooks, games), a 24/7 digital library, a community makerspace, technology lending, public computers and WiFi, printing/scanning/faxing, meeting rooms, and educational programs. Services are delivered through a single physical location, an online catalog spanning 30 Winnefox member libraries across 5 Wisconsin counties, and curated access to third-party digital platforms for ebooks, streaming, online learning, and genealogy research.
Is Menasha Public Library a public or private company?
Menasha Public Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Menasha Public Library founded?
Menasha Public Library was founded in 1896.
Where is Menasha Public Library based?
Menasha Public Library is headquartered in Menasha, United States, in the North America region.
How does Menasha Public Library make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Public Funding (Tax Revenue) is the primary driver. The others are donations and Support, printing and Copying Services and notary and Business Services.
Who are Menasha Public Library's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Brown County Library, Madison Public Library and Milwaukee Public Library. Direct peers are Wautoma Public Library, Appleton Public Library, Fond du Lac Public Library, Berlin Public Library, Neenah Public Library, Fox Crossing Public Library and Oshkosh Public Library.
Does Menasha Public Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Menasha Public Library.
What industry is Menasha Public Library in?
Menasha 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 51921.