Lakeland Library Cooperative

What Lakeland Library Cooperative does

Lakeland Library Cooperative is a non-profit library cooperative organized under Michigan Public Act 89 of 1977, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It serves 42 member public libraries operating across 82 locations in eight west Michigan counties (Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa), reaching approximately 1,289,504 patrons. Lakeland delivers shared services to its members including an integrated library system (Sierra from Innovative/III), a patron-facing discovery catalog (BiblioCore from Bibliocommons), centralized cataloging services provided to 37 of 40 shared ILS members, interlibrary delivery and courier routes, continuing education for member staff, advocacy, and a coordinated group purchases program.

The cooperative's core technology stack is composed of third-party platforms layered into a unified service offering: Sierra ILS for circulation, cataloging, and patron records; BiblioCore plus BiblioSuggest and BiblioApp for patron discovery and purchase suggestions; OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla for digital content; Patron Point for automated email and library card applications; ShoutBomb for SMS notifications; and MeLCat for statewide interlibrary loan. The organization itself does not develop proprietary software; its value-added layer is training, policy standardization, technical support, and group subscription coordination across these vendor platforms.

Lakeland is primarily funded through Michigan State Aid to Public Libraries, allocated based on the population served by the cooperative, with a portion distributed to member libraries for purchasing cooperative services. Secondary revenue comes from coordinating group subscription purchases on behalf of members (databases, digital content, supplies). The entity is governed by a nine-member board representative of member libraries by population served, with policies set cooperatively and day-to-day operations run by approximately 10 staff. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; member services are negotiated and renewed on an annual cadence.

Name

Lakeland Library Cooperative

Legal name

Lakeland Library Cooperative

Website

https://llcoop.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lakeland Library Cooperative is a Michigan non-profit, organized under Public Act 89 of 1977, that provides shared technology, cataloging, delivery, and group purchasing services to 42 member public libraries serving 1.29 million patrons across eight west Michigan counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Library Cooperative Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK), Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Library cooperative services
• Integrated library system
• Interlibrary loan services
• Library cataloging services
• Group purchase coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. State Aid to Public Libraries: Primary funding for the Cooperative comes from State Aid to Public Libraries, distributed based on population served by the cooperative and a portion allocated to member libraries for the purchase of cooperative services.
2. Group Purchases and Subscriptions: Lakeland coordinates group purchases for members including vendor discounts and subscription opportunities such as Amazon Prime, Ancestry Library Edition, BookPage, Creativebug, Swank Motion Pictures, and Wowbrary. Member libraries pay fees for collective access to these services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Lakeland Library Cooperative is a nonprofit library cooperative that provides shared technology, resource sharing, and operational services to 42 member public libraries across eight west Michigan counties. It operates and supports a shared integrated library system (Sierra ILS from Innovative), a shared patron-facing discovery catalog (BiblioCore), centralized cataloging services, interlibrary loan and delivery, continuing education, advocacy, and a coordinated group purchasing program for shared subscriptions such as Ancestry Library Edition, Creativebug, and Swank Motion Pictures.

Product overview

Lakeland Library Cooperative operates as a library services organization providing a platform-plus-services model for 42 public libraries across eight west Michigan counties. The core technology stack centers on Sierra ILS (from Innovative) as the shared integrated library system managing circulation, cataloging, and patron records, paired with BiblioCore as the patron-facing discovery catalog. Digital reading is facilitated through OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla. Supporting services include ShoutBomb (SMS notifications), Patron Point (automated email marketing), MeLCat (statewide interlibrary loan), cataloging services, delivery operations, and a coordinated group purchases program for subscriptions such as Ancestry Library Edition, Creativebug, and Swank Motion Pictures. Lakeland also provides a Training Hub with resources for all supported platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sierra Integrated Library System (ILS) Shared integrated library system providing circulation, cataloging, holds management, and patron records for 40 member libraries. Lakeland provides policies, procedures, training resources, and technical support for the Sierra platform.
• BiblioCore Discovery Catalog Patron-facing discovery catalog and reading platform enabling users to search library collections, manage accounts, place holds, and access digital content across member libraries in the cooperative.
• Centralized Cataloging Services Centralized cataloging services provided to 37 of 40 shared ILS member libraries, including bibliographic record creation, item record management, and classification standards for books, CDs, DVDs, and sound recordings.
• Delivery Services Interlibrary delivery and courier services connecting member libraries, with coordinated delivery routes and schedules across eight west Michigan counties.
• Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Services Resource sharing services enabling patrons to borrow books, audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs from other member libraries, including the RIDES courier network and MeLCat statewide borrowing.
• Group Purchases Program Coordinated purchasing program for databases, digital content, supplies, and services on behalf of member libraries, including subscriptions to Ancestry Library Edition, Creativebug, Swank Motion Pictures, BookPage, and Wowbrary, plus Amazon Prime coordination.
• ShoutBomb SMS Notification Service Text messaging notification service enabling library patrons to receive automated SMS alerts for holds, overdue items, and renewals, coordinated by Lakeland for member libraries.
• Michigan Activity Pass Program Program providing reduced-cost or complimentary access to Michigan state parks, historic sites, and cultural attractions for library patrons, administered through The Library Network and OverDrive.

Quantifiable outcome

• 42 public libraries share resources across 8 counties, serving 1,289,504 patrons
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• American Library Association (ALA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe oldest and largest library association in the world, founded October 6, 1876. ALA's mission is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship. Lakeland stands in solidarity with ALA in opposing censorship.
• Library Cooperatives of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan's eleven regional library cooperatives are funded by a portion of state aid based on population served. The cooperative approach preserves local initiative and control while taking advantage of resources that a larger service area makes possible. MCL works in concert with partner organizations to facilitate access to library resources statewide.
• Library of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated by the Michigan Legislature to guarantee the people of Michigan one perpetual institution to collect, preserve and provide access to the story of the State, and to support libraries in their role as essential community anchors.
• Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS)majorTechnology or IntegrationA non-profit, member-driven organization whose mission is to facilitate sharing resources and collaborate with other organizations to benefit Indiana and Michigan libraries. MCLS enables group purchasing and resource sharing services, helping create a strong network of Midwestern libraries.
• Friends of Michigan Libraries + Trustee AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to support and advocacy for Michigan library Friends groups, founded in 1969. Activities promote libraries and the sharing of Friends activities throughout Michigan.
• MILibraryCardmajorTechnology or IntegrationA program providing Michigan residents access to participating libraries across the state. The voluntary participation of libraries in MILibraryCard provides another resource for many state residents. This complements but does not replace MeLCat.
• Michigan Activity PasssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerA partnership between Michigan's nearly 400 public libraries and hundreds of Michigan's state parks, historic sites, cultural attractions, campgrounds and recreation areas. Designed to enhance learning through books and library materials while providing reduced cost or complimentary access to arts, cultural, and outdoor organizations across Michigan.
• BibliocommonscoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of the BiblioCore patron-facing catalog discovery layer used by all Lakeland member libraries.
• Innovative (III)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of Sierra Integrated Library System (ILS) used by Lakeland and member libraries for cataloging, circulation, and patron management.
• OverDrivecoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of Libby eReading resources for digital content including e-books and audiobooks available to member library patrons.
• ShoutbombsupportingTechnology or IntegrationText messaging notification service for courtesy notifications to library patrons about holds, overdue items, and account information.
• Unique ManagementsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCollection notification services provider helping member libraries manage overdue accounts.
• The Library Network (TLN)majorTechnology or IntegrationStatewide library network providing additional resource sharing and e-resource access for Michigan libraries.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Woodlands Library Cooperative: Michigan regional library cooperative offering shared catalog, ILL, and cooperative services. Directly comparable regional peer under the same Michigan cooperative statute.
• Superiorland Library Cooperative: Michigan regional cooperative serving public libraries in the Upper Peninsula. Operates the same cooperative service framework under Michigan Public Act 89.
• White Pine Library Cooperative: One of Michigan's other 11 regional library cooperatives, providing shared ILS, ILL, and group purchasing to public libraries in its region. Operates under the same Michigan Public Act 89 framework and serves the same member type.
• Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative: Michigan regional cooperative serving libraries in the mideastern region. Operates the same cooperative service model and statutory framework as Lakeland.
• Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS): Regional library cooperative serving Indiana and Michigan with shared ILS, group purchasing, and resource sharing services. Lakeland is explicitly a member/partner of MCLS, making MCLS the closest comparable in cooperative structure and service mix.
• Pathways Library Cooperative: Michigan regional cooperative providing shared library services to member libraries in its service area. Directly comparable regional peer under Michigan Public Act 89.
• Northland Library Cooperative: Michigan regional library cooperative providing cooperative services to member libraries in northern Lower Michigan. Operates the same model under Michigan Public Act 89.
• The Library Network (TLN): Michigan-based library cooperative providing shared technology, delivery, and resource sharing to member libraries. Listed as a Major technology partner of Lakeland and operates the same cooperative-service model in southeast Michigan.

Others

• Bibliocommons: Vendor of the BiblioCore discovery platform used by all Lakeland member libraries. Listed as a core technology partner. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a peer; comparable in serving library patrons but operates a commercial SaaS model.

Broad incumbents

• Library of Michigan: State-level library agency that sets policy, distributes state aid, and supports all Michigan libraries including Lakeland. Not a direct cooperative competitor but the statutory umbrella organization referenced as a core partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lakeland-library-cooperative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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 Lakeland Library Cooperative