Glenside Public Library

What Glenside Public Library does

Glenside Public Library District is a tax-funded municipal library established in 1967 and headquartered at 25 E Fullerton Avenue in Glendale Heights, Illinois. The library serves the residents of its library district with a hybrid physical-and-digital service model: a single building offering 58 public access computers, free Wi-Fi, meeting and study rooms, and service desks for circulation, adult services, and passport acceptance, supplemented by 24/7 digital access through the Swan Libraries iOS/Android app, the SWAN catalog, and platforms including Libby/OverDrive (e-books, audiobooks, magazines), Hoopla (audiobooks, comics, music, video), Kanopy (streaming film), EBSCO research databases, and ePRINTit wireless printing. Beyond traditional lending, Glenside functions as a multi-agency service counter providing passport acceptance, Illinois license plate renewal, free notary, voter registration, exam proctoring, and FAFSA assistance, alongside DOJ-accredited immigration assistance for Naturalization and DACA applicants, ELL programming with multilingual support across 12+ languages, and the locally-administered Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for children under five. The library is governed by an elected Board of Trustees under Illinois library-district law; it has no parent company, no subsidiaries, no funding rounds, and no disclosed revenue, operating instead on local property-tax appropriations supplemented by nominal fees (Forever Stamps at $15.60/booklet, $35 passport execution, $9.50 license-plate service fee) and donations channeled through the Friends of the Library volunteer organization.

Name

Glenside Public Library

Legal name

Glenside Public Library District

Website

https://glensidepld.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210), Libraries and Archives (51921)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community lending resources
• Digital media access
• Government service center
• Educational programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Glendale Heights

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Library Services: As a public library district, Glenside operates primarily through public funding (tax revenue) rather than direct revenue generation. All core services including book lending, internet access, programs, and most government services are provided free of charge to residents.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Glenside Public Library District provides free access to physical and digital library collections, public computers, Wi-Fi, and educational programming for residents of its Illinois district. The library also operates as a community service hub offering passport acceptance, notary public, license plate renewal, voter registration, immigration assistance, exam proctoring, and homebound delivery. Most services are free, with nominal fees on stamps, printing, and select government transactions.

Product overview

Glenside Public Library is a public library district offering a comprehensive range of services and resources to its community. The library provides traditional physical collections (books, CDs, magazines, movies) alongside extensive digital collections accessible through Libby/OverDrive, Hoopla Digital, and Kanopy. Patrons benefit from 58 public access computers and free Wi-Fi, along with government services including passport acceptance, notary public, license plate renewals, and voter registration. The library supports diverse community needs through immigration assistance (DACA and citizenship), ELL and literacy programs, and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for early childhood. Additional services include room reservations, exam proctoring, homebound delivery, print/scan/fax capabilities, and FEMA resource access. The library also offers research databases, computer classes, 1-on-1 librarian assistance, and a robust summer reading program for kids, teens, and adults.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Swan Libraries: Glenside Library is part of the SWAN (Shared Wilmette Area Network) library consortium, providing shared catalog and digital services.

Products and services

• Traditional Library Collections Physical books, CDs, magazines, and movies available for borrowing with a library card for residents of the Glenside Library District.
• Digital Collections (Stream & Download) E-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines, comics, graphic novels, movies, TV, and music available through Libby/OverDrive, Hoopla Digital, and Kanopy streaming platforms for library cardholders.
• Research Databases Subscription databases for academic research, business, health, genealogy, language learning, literature, career resources, and student support available to library patrons via EBSCO and similar providers.
• Public Access Computers and Wi-Fi 58 public computers available throughout the library with printing access, plus free wireless internet (Wi-Fi SSID: GlensidePLD) for patron use.
• Passport Acceptance Services Official U.S. Department of State Passport Acceptance Facility accepting DS-11 applications for new passports at the Circulation Desk.
• Notary Public Services Free notary services for library users including document witnessing, signature verification, and identity confirmation.
• License Plate Renewals Illinois Secretary of State vehicle registration renewal service allowing residents to purchase and receive stickers same day for a $9.50 service fee.
• Voter Registration Assistance In-person voter registration assistance with registered librarians available to help eligible citizens register to vote.
• Immigration Services Free assistance with Naturalization/Citizenship and DACA applications provided by DOJ-accredited representatives.
• Room Reservations Study rooms (capacity 2-8) and community rooms (capacity up to 100) available for reservation with Wi-Fi, projectors, and other amenities.
• ELL and Literacy Programs English language learning including conversation groups, women's groups, and access to language learning databases like Mango Languages, Little Pim, Pronunciator, and Procitizen.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Free monthly book delivery program for children under five living within library district boundaries, gifting age-appropriate books from infancy through age five.
• Summer Reading Program Annual reading incentive program encouraging kids, teens, and adults to read through summer with prizes and special events including the Plant a Seed, Read program.
• Events and Programming Year-round events including author visits, storytimes, book clubs, computer classes, musical performances, movie screenings, and educational lectures for all ages.
• Homebound Delivery Service Monthly delivery service bringing books, audiobooks, DVDs, and eBooks to patrons unable to visit the library due to disability, illness, or recent pregnancy/adoption.
• Teacher Support Services Services for educators including library field trips, classroom visits, school book bag deliveries (up to 30 items), and assignment alerts.
• Exam Proctoring Testing site for professional and student examinations using private study rooms and public access computers during regular library hours.
• FAFSA Assistance Free assistance with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for college-bound students and families.
• Print, Copy, Scan, and Fax Services Document services including printing (free B&W 1-50 pages, then $0.10/page), color copying ($0.20/page), scanning to USB/Drive/email, and faxing services for U.S., Canada, and international destinations.
• 1-on-1 Librarian Assistance One-on-one librarian appointments (60 minutes) available for patrons to get help with projects like resume updates, scanning, research, and other library services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,197,250 total kids registered in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program (program-wide statistic)
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• KanopycoreTechnology or IntegrationKanopy is a streaming video platform integrated with the library's digital services, providing patrons access to over 30,000 films including acclaimed movies, documentaries, and Kanopy Kids educational content featuring titles like Sesame Street, Arthur, and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. Patrons access content through glensidepld.kanopy.com.
• Hoopla DigitalcoreTechnology or IntegrationHoopla is an all-in-one media service integrated with the library offering 700,000+ titles in six formats (audiobooks, eBooks, comics/graphic novels, music albums, movies, TV) available 24/7 with no holds or waiting. Access is through hoopladigital.com.
• Libby by OverDrivecoreTechnology or IntegrationLibby provides access to popular and bestselling e-books, e-audiobooks, and e-magazines through the library's digital collection including Kindle Books and thousands of titles for adults, teens, and kids. The system is integrated with the SWAN Libraries catalog.
• ICNA ReliefsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerICNA Relief is a community organization partnering with the library for a Back 2 School Supply Drive. The partnership aims to provide lower-income children with new backpacks and school supplies to help them start the school year with confidence.
• Village of Glendale HeightssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Village of Glendale Heights partners with the library for the Summer Reading Program, offering a $10 discount on pre-sale Fest wristbands for kids and teens who complete reading goals as part of the Plant a Seed, Read program incentive.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDolly Parton's Imagination Library is a global book gifting program that the local library administers for children under 5 within district boundaries. The program sends one free, age-appropriate book per month to registered children's homes until their 5th birthday. The Friends of the Library provides local support for this program.
• ePRINTit/TBScoreTechnology or IntegrationePRINTit (provided by TBS) is the cloud-based wireless printing technology enabling patrons to print from their own devices via browser, smartphone app, or email, with print release stations throughout the library.
• Friends of the LibrarysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Friends of the Library is a volunteer organization that supports library programs and services, including funding Dolly Parton's Imagination Library locally. They accept donations and support various library initiatives.
• SWAN LibrariescoreTechnology or IntegrationSWAN (Southwest Area Network) is the integrated library system consortium that Glenside belongs to, providing shared catalog, circulation, and digital resource management infrastructure including the MyAccount portal and Libby integration.
• EBSCO Information ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationEBSCO provides numerous databases accessible through the library including Academic Search Complete, Business Source Complete, Consumer Health Complete, Literary Reference Center, and many others supporting research needs across disciplines.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Glenside Public Library