Městská knihovna v Praze

What Městská knihovna v Praze does

Městská knihovna v Praze (MKP) is the municipal public library system of Prague, Czech Republic, established and wholly funded by Capital Prague (Hlavní město Praha). It operates 42 physical branches distributed across all 16 Prague municipal districts, supplemented by three mobile libraries (bibliobusy) — including the new Matylda unit launched in 2026 — and three self-service kiosks in shopping centers (CCM, Westfield Chodov, DBK). Core services include lending of books, films, music, and maps; free public Wi-Fi and internet stations; e-books and digital lending via an online catalog; cultural events, workshops, lectures, and exhibitions; digitization-on-demand; interlibrary lending; and an art-borrowing program (Artotéka). The library also hosts the Idiom book tower by Matej Kréň, an iconic 8,000-book installation in the Central Library vestibule since 1998.

The technology stack is built around the proprietary Koniáš library management system for reader accounts, loans, and reservations, combined with RFID technology for self-service item tracking and a proprietary mobile application for door access and account management. Online registration is enabled via Bank iD (bankovní identita, a.s.), which uses banking credentials for remote identity verification — launched April 2025. The library integrates with national and international content providers including the Knihovny.cz portal, the National Library of the Czech Republic, EBSCO Academic Search Complete, PressReader, and Alexander Street Press. Self-service operations (Knihovna bez obsluhy) extend branch hours without on-site staff, accessed via RFID reader cards or the mobile app.

The business model is non-commercial and non-profit. Revenue derives almost entirely from municipal appropriations through Capital Prague, supplemented by modest membership fees (60 CZK/year for adults, free for under-15, seniors 70+, and ZTP/ZTP-P holders), pay-as-you-go fees for reservations (25 CZK), interlibrary lending (70 CZK postage), printing, overdue charges (5 CZK/day), and digitization services (200 CZK setup + 5 CZK/page). A free online-only membership tier lowers the entry barrier for digital services. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via self-service registration (in-branch, online, or via Bank iD) with no intermediaries, and pricing is fully publicly disclosed on mlp.cz.

Name

Městská knihovna v Praze

Legal name

Městská knihovna v Praze

Website

https://mlp.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1891

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Municipal public library system of Prague, Czech Republic, funded by Capital Prague and serving all city residents through 42 branches, 3 mobile libraries, and 3 retail kiosks, offering lending, digital collections, free internet, cultural events, and accessibility services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

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

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Digital Archives, Libraries & Institutional Access Platforms (MPAJAMAJ), Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Library lending services
• Digital library resources
• E-book lending
• Cultural programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Municipal Funding: Primary funding from the founder, Capital Prague (Hlavní město Praha), which provides operational budget as a public cultural institution
2. Membership Fees: Annual registration fees: 60 CZK for adults, free for under-15, over-70, and ZTP/ZTP-P card holders. Additional revenue from library cards (20 CZK) and deposits (1,000 CZK for non-EU citizens)
3. Library Services: Fees for reservations (25 CZK), interlibrary lending (70 CZK postage), digitization services, printing (2 CZK B&W, 10 CZK color A4), overdue charges (5 CZK/day), and event tickets

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Městská knihovna v Praze provides universal public library services including lending of books, films, music, maps, and artwork; free public Wi-Fi and internet stations; e-book and online database access; cultural events, lectures, and workshops; digitization on demand; inter-library lending; and specialized programs for children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Operations span 42 physical branches, 3 mobile libraries, and 3 shopping-center kiosks across Prague, complemented by digital services accessible through mlp.cz and a mobile application.

Product overview

Městská knihovna v Praze operates as a unified public library system offering both physical and digital services. The core offering centers on the Online Catalog (Katalog) and E-library for searching and borrowing books, films, music, and e-books. Physical services include 42 branch locations and three mobile bookmobiles (bibliobusy) serving areas without fixed branches. The library provides free public internet and Wi-Fi across all locations, computer stations, and digitization-on-demand services. Add-on modules include the Artotéka art-borrowing program, inter-library lending, virtual library cards, and Bank iD online registration. Cultural programming runs year-round across branches with events, workshops, lectures, and exhibitions. The Idiom book tower installation serves as a distinctive landmark at the Central Library. The library integrates with external databases (EBSCO, PressReader, Alexander Street Press) for remote access to academic content and uses third-party systems (Colosseum for event booking, Google for event registration).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Catalog (Katalog) Digital catalog allowing users to search the library's collection of books, films, music, maps, and other materials. Available in Czech and partially in English; accessible to all visitors.
• E-library (E-knihovna) Digital lending service for e-books available for download by registered readers with online membership. Provides free access to digital book collections.
• Library Branches (Pobočky) 42 physical branch locations throughout Prague offering books, media lending, internet access, cultural events, and community programs. Includes standard branches, kiosks in shopping centers, and the Central Library.
• Bookmobiles (Bibliobusy) Three mobile library units (bibliobusy Oskar and Matylda) that visit areas without fixed branches, lending books and materials throughout Prague and reaching underserved communities.
• Cultural Events Program Year-round cultural programming including lectures, workshops, film screenings, concerts, art exhibitions, children's activities, and literary events across all branches and via the Mariánská listování podcast.
• Public Internet & Wi-Fi Free wireless internet access in all branches and bookmobiles, along with computer stations for internet access, word processing (LibreOffice/OpenOffice), and printing services.
• Digitization on Demand Custom digitization service for documents from the library's collection that are no longer protected by copyright. Documents are scanned and delivered as PDF files to the requester's reader account. Priced at 200 CZK preparation charge plus 5 CZK per scanned page.
• Artotéka Art borrowing service available at the Opatov branch, allowing readers to borrow paintings, reproductions, framed prints, and mounted sheets for home display.
• Inter-library Lending Service Service allowing readers to request and borrow materials from other libraries in the Czech Republic through inter-library loan agreements. Priced at 70 CZK postage.
• Virtual Library Card Digital barcode accessible via My Account that functions as a portable library card, replacing physical MLP cards, Lítačka, ISIC, and In Karta for borrowing and accessing services.
• Bank iD Online Registration Digital identity verification service enabling online library registration without visiting a branch, using Bank iD (bankovní identita) bank credentials for identity confirmation. Launched April 2025.
• Coworking Spaces (Klubovny) Community spaces at select branches (e.g., Záhřebská) available for tutoring, workshops, meetings, language lessons, book discussions, and educational activities.
• Digital Advisory (Digitální poradna) Technology assistance service helping seniors and other users learn to use computers, smartphones, and digital services, addressing the digital divide through guided instruction.

Quantifiable outcome

• 42 branches serving all Prague districts
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Bank iD (Bankovní identita, a.s.)coreTechnology or Integration · 22 April 2025Digital identity verification service enabling fully online library registration without visiting a branch. Uses banking credentials for identity verification.
• Knihovny.cz (National Library Portal)coreTechnology or IntegrationCollaborative portal providing unified access to all Czech public libraries under one address. Enables cross-library searching and resource sharing among Czech libraries.
• EBSCO (Academic Search Complete)coreTechnology or IntegrationAcademic database providing full-text articles across sciences, humanities, and economics. Accessible via remote access for registered readers.
• PressReadercoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital newspaper and magazine access offering 2,000+ titles from 100 countries in 60 languages including Washington Post, Daily Mail, El País, Forbes, Vogue.
• Alexander Street Press (Music Online)coreTechnology or IntegrationMusic streaming platform with jazz, world music, classical collections, plus 50,000+ scores and reference materials.
• Národní knihovna České republiky (National Library of Czech Republic)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on national bibliography (jmenné autoritní záznamy). National Library is data controller for author records; MKP acts as processor.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• New York Public Library: One of the world's largest public library systems serving New York City with 92 branches, providing lending, digital collections, cultural programming, and educational services. Directly comparable to MLP as a large municipal public library with multi-branch physical networks and digital transformation initiatives.
• British Library: National research library of the UK providing lending, digital access, research services, and cultural programming. Comparable to MLP through its hybrid physical-digital model, digitization services, and integration with national bibliographic infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Büchereien Wien (Vienna Public Libraries): Municipal library network of Vienna with 39 branches offering lending, e-books, events, and educational programs. Directly comparable to MLP as a Central European municipal library with similar branch structure, digital lending, and cultural programming focus.
• Helmet Helsinki City Library: Joint public library service for the Helsinki metropolitan area with extensive branch network, digital lending, and cultural programming. Comparable to MLP as an innovative Northern European municipal library with a strong digital-first approach and multi-branch physical infrastructure.
• Stockholm Public Library (Stockholms stadsbibliotek): Public library system of Stockholm operating multiple branches with lending, digital services, and cultural programming. Comparable to MLP as a Nordic municipal library with similar scale, cultural programming, and digital lending services.
• Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon: Municipal library system serving Lyon, France with 16 branches offering lending, digital collections, cultural events, and community programming. Closely comparable to MLP as a similarly structured European municipal public library with comparable branch scale and digital ambitions.
• Münchner Stadtbibliothek (Munich Public Library): Public library system of Munich operating multiple branches with lending, digital services, cultural events, and community programs. Comparable to MLP through its municipal governance, multi-branch network, and investment in digital modernization.

Regional players

• Národní knihovna České republiky (National Library of the Czech Republic): Czech national library functioning as a strategic partner to MLP, providing national bibliography, cataloging, and interlibrary lending infrastructure. Comparable as a public Czech library entity with cooperative relationship formalized through the National Library's role as data controller for author records.
• Moravská zemská knihovna v Brně (Moravian Library in Brno): Czech regional library in Brno serving as a research library and public library operator. Comparable to MLP as a fellow Czech library participating in the same Knihovny.cz national portal, with shared cataloging standards and interlibrary lending infrastructure.

Others

• Knihovny.cz (National Library Portal): Unified portal providing access to all Czech public libraries. Connected to MLP as a core technology integration partner that enables cross-library discoverability and resource sharing across the Czech library system.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/knihovna

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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