Manheim Township Public Library

What Manheim Township Public Library does

Manheim Township Public Library (MTPL) is an independent, Gold-star public library serving Manheim Township and East Lampeter Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, established May 1, 2007, and housed in a 20,200 SF LEED Silver-certified facility at 595 Granite Run Drive in Lancaster (opened September 13, 2010). The library operates as part of the Library System of Lancaster County federated consortium (14 member libraries, 2 branches, and 1 bookmobile), serving 16,677 cardholders with 206,614 annual visits and 769,107 total annual circulations drawn from a 79,980-item physical collection. Core services span physical lending, digital lending via Libby/OverDrive and Hoopla, the Power Library e-resource suite (academic, career, student, and research databases), public computer workstations, study rooms, passport acceptance, meeting-room rentals, and year-round programming for all ages.

MTPL's technology stack is built on the Lancaster Libraries integrated library system (catalog, My Account, holds/renewals) augmented by third-party digital platforms — Libby/OverDrive, Hoopla, Beanstack (summer reading tracking), and Wowbrary — with MTPL-exclusive digital titles layered on top of the consortium collection. The facility itself is a notable engineering asset: a neo-agrarian "book barns" design with a geothermal heat pump system drawing on 40 wells at 450-foot depth, LED lighting controls, low-flow plumbing, and low-VOC/recycled-content materials.

The business model is a hybrid non-profit public-library funding structure. Primary revenue is recurring municipal tax support from Manheim Township and East Lampeter Township residents, layered with donations (cash, stock, real estate, employer matching), Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) contributions from corporate partners, facility rentals ($100–$700 per event), passport acceptance fees ($35 execution + $15 photo), self-service printing/copying, book sales (Book Spot, book events, and Amazon storefront), and the MTPL Foundation (a 501(c)(3)). Core library services are free to Lancaster County residents aged 5+; only ancillary services carry fees. GTM is community-led and event-driven, executed through Facebook/Instagram, the "In the Stacks" newsletter, an events calendar, and partnerships with the Manheim Township School District, Recreation Department, Historical Society, and senior communities.

Name

Manheim Township Public Library

Legal name

Manheim Township Public Library

Website

https://mtpl.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MTPL is a Gold-level independent public library serving Manheim Township and East Lampeter Township in Lancaster County, PA, providing physical and digital lending, programming, passport services, and facility rentals via a LEED Silver facility and the Library System of Lancaster County consortium.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Educational Services (611)

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 User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community programming
• Digital lending platform
• Passport acceptance facility
• Interlibrary loan services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lancaster

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding and Tax Support: Primary funding from municipal tax support through Manheim Township and East Lampeter Township. Library became independent public library affiliated with Library System of Lancaster County effective May 1, 2007.
2. Donations and Contributions: Accepts donations via cash, check, credit/debit card. Employer matching gifts program available. Stock, bonds, or real estate donations accepted. MTPL Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
3. Facility Rentals: Meeting room and facility rentals including Morgan Center (accommodates up to 192 people), with rental fees ranging from $100-$700 depending on space and nonprofit/business status.
4. Passport Services: Passport acceptance facility fees including $35 execution fee per application, $15 for passport photos taken on site, $0.25 per page for photocopies, plus optional expedite and shipping fees.
5. Book Sales: Proceeds from Book Spot retail sales, book events, and Amazon storefront. Suggested donations: $2 hardcover, $1 paperback, $1 children's hardcover, $0.50 children's paperback/board books, $1 DVDs, $0.50 CDs.
6. EITC Contributions: Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program contributions from businesses seeking Pennsylvania state tax credits while supporting library programs.
7. Printing and Copying Services: Self-service document printing and copying: $0.25 per page black & white, $0.50 per page color, $1.00 for scan to email.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Manheim Township Public Library provides free public library services to Lancaster County residents, including physical and digital lending of 79,980+ items, reference assistance, community programming for all ages, summer reading incentives, passport acceptance services, and facility rentals. Core lending is delivered via the Library System of Lancaster County online catalog and Libby/OverDrive digital platform, with supplementary eResources, student/job-seeker databases, and physical services such as public computers, study rooms, printing, and meeting space.

Product overview

Manheim Township Public Library is a Gold-star library in the PA Forward Star Program offering a unified portfolio of physical and digital library services to residents of Manheim Township and East Lampeter Township. The core platform is the Library System of Lancaster County Online Catalog (with My Account), which manages physical and digital lending including a collection of 79,980 items. Digital lending is delivered primarily through Libby (by OverDrive), supplemented by Hoopla and a broad suite of Power Library eResources covering academic research, student learning, career development, genealogy, and business. Community programming spans youth services, adult programs, book discussion groups, a summer reading challenge tracked through Beanstack, and a seed library. Physical services include public computers, study rooms, passport acceptance, facility rentals, interlibrary loan, reference assistance, and museum passes. Discovery services include personalized book recommendations (Your Next 5 Books) and librarian-led reference support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Catalog / My Account Integrated library catalog enabling patrons to search the Lancaster County federated holdings, place holds, renew items, and manage their account via PIN-based authentication. Free to Lancaster County residents.
• Libby (by OverDrive) Digital Lending Digital lending platform for eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines accessible via mobile app and web browser. MTPL patrons have access to Library System of Lancaster County digital collection plus MTPL-exclusive titles.
• Power Library eResources Suite of licensed digital research databases and content platforms including Academic Search Main Edition, Britannica School, EBSCO eBooks, Gale eBooks, GreenFILE, and Science Reference Center.
• Student Resources Specialized eResource package for K-12 and college students including BookFlix, Brainfuse HelpNow tutoring and test prep for AP/SAT/ACT/GRE, TumbleBooks, TrueFlix, POWERKids, and Transparent Language Online.
• Job Seeker Resources Career support resources including BrainFuse JobNow one-on-one coaching, AtoZdatabases, Business Insights Essentials, D&B Hoovers, Pennsylvania CareerLink, PA Online Learning, and SkillUp PA.
• Hoopla Digital Media Digital media platform offering free borrowing of movies, music, eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eComics with a library card. Includes BingePass feature for extended access to magazines and Great Courses.
• Your Next 5 Books Personalized readers' advisory service where patrons submit a form describing their preferences and a librarian curates five recommended titles delivered via email. Covers children, teens, and adults.
• Book Discussion Groups Multiple recurring book clubs including MTPL Book Discussion Group, Mystery Book Group, Coterie Book Group, Small Talk (novella club), Modern Monsters (horror), and Swoon Squad (romance).
• Librarian Help / Reference Services One-on-one research assistance from librarians helping patrons evaluate online information, navigate digital resources, and build information literacy skills. Available online, by phone, or in person.
• Adult Programs Ongoing adult programming including Cooks & Books, Common Thread (knitting), Genealogy Walk-in, Plant Swap, and lectures. Registration requirements vary by program.
• Public Computers and Printing Public computer workstations with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; free WiFi; self-service printing ($0.25/page B&W, $0.50/page color), copying, and staff-assisted scanning to email ($1.00).
• Study Rooms Five study rooms available for quiet work, meetings, or tutoring: one large room (up to 8 people), standard rooms, and lounge study rooms. First-come, first-served with 2-hour session limit.
• Passport Services U.S. Department of State Passport Acceptance Facility offering walk-in and appointment-based passport application acceptance for adults and minors, photo services, and form assistance. $35 execution fee per application.
• Facility Rentals Meeting and event space rentals at Morgan Program Center (up to 192 capacity, 3 dividable sections), Teaching Kitchen, outdoor patios, and Lapp Story Silo. Rates vary by duration and patron type.
• MTPL Seed Library Free seed distribution program offering small packets of vegetable, flower, herb, and native plant seeds to patrons. Stocked via donations from Breezy Garden Co. Seasonal plant swaps held instead of seed returns due to PA Seed Act compliance.
• Museum Passes Partnership with Lancaster County museum organizations providing discounted or free museum admission passes to MTPL patrons via the Library System of Lancaster County.
• Summer Reading Program Annual summer reading incentive program for children, teens, and adults, administered through Beanstack. Tracks reading hours, awards digital badges, and distributes prizes donated by local sponsors. Includes a tiered challenge structure for adult participants.
• Interlibrary Loan Borrowing service enabling MTPL patrons to request materials from other libraries within the Library System of Lancaster County and beyond through interlibrary loan.
• PA Forward Star Program Gold-level designation in the Pennsylvania Library Association's PA Forward Star Program affirming MTPL's commitment to five areas of literacy: basic, information, civic/social, health, and financial literacy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 206,614 annual library visits from 16,677 cardholders
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Breezy Garden CominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeed supplier for MTPL Seed Library, generously donating seed packets for the community gardening program.
• Manheim Township School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey programming partner developing educational content and resources for students. Collaborates on programs including summer reading and student services.
• Manheim Township Recreation DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgramming partnership to build community and support the Library's mission through joint community events.
• Manheim Township Historical SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for historical programming and community history initiatives.
• Library System of Lancaster CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederated system with 14 member libraries, 2 branches, and a bookmobile. MTPL is an independent public library affiliated with LSLC since May 1, 2007. Provides county-wide catalog access and shared resources.
• Senior CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with surrounding senior communities to collaborate on projects and services targeting older adults.
• Overlook Community CampuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLibrary located within Overlook Community Campus at 595 Granite Run Drive. Campus includes walking trails, athletic fields, swimming pool, playgrounds, dog park, golf course, and other amenities serving the community.
• U.S. Department of StatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesignated Passport Acceptance Facility for the U.S. Department of State, processing passport applications and renewals for the community.
• Power LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPennsylvania's Electronic Library providing statewide e-resources including Academic Search, Britannica School, EBSCO eBooks, and 40+ other databases. Funded by LSTA through IMLS.
• Dutch WonderlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSummer reading program sponsor providing free admission tickets as reading prizes for children completing the program.
• McDonald'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSummer reading program sponsor providing free ice cream cones as prizes for children.
• Texas RoadhouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSummer reading program sponsor providing free kid's meals as prizes.
• Penn CinemaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSummer reading program sponsor providing movie tickets as prizes.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Dauphin County Library System: Pennsylvania county-wide library system serving Dauphin County with multiple branches, federated catalog, and programming comparable in scope to the Library System of Lancaster County. Comparable in federated operating model and statewide Power Library participation.
• Free Library of Philadelphia: Large urban library system in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offering overlapping capabilities (passport services, extensive programming, digital lending, facility rentals) but at much greater scale and with broader geographic coverage than MTPL.

Others

• POWER Library (Pennsylvania): Pennsylvania's statewide electronic library providing 40+ research databases and e-resources to MTPL patrons. Functions as an upstream content provider and statewide enabling service rather than a competitor, but shapes MTPL's digital offering portfolio.
• Library System of Lancaster County: Federated consortium of 14 member libraries, 2 branches, and a bookmobile that MTPL is affiliated with. Not a direct competitor but the parent operating system that provides MTPL's catalog, digital lending infrastructure, and interlibrary loan access.

Direct peers

• Lititz Public Library: Independent public library in Lititz, Lancaster County, also affiliated with the Library System of Lancaster County. Similar size, governance structure, and service model to MTPL, with comparable community programming and collection scale.
• Lancaster Public Library: Lancaster city public library that previously operated the Manheim Township branch until MTPL became independent in 2007. Serves the same Lancaster County region with overlapping collections, programs, and consortium membership, making it the closest geographic and operational peer.
• Ephrata Public Library: Independent public library in Ephrata, Lancaster County, also part of the Library System of Lancaster County. Comparable to MTPL in size, tax-base funding model, and program offerings for a similarly-sized Pennsylvania suburban community.
• Manheim Community Library: Public library serving Manheim Borough in Lancaster County, affiliated with the same library system. Similar small-community service model and collection scale to MTPL, operating in the same county with overlapping patron demographics.

Regional players

• Hershey Public Library: Public library in Hershey, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, serving a similarly-sized suburban community. Comparable in PA Forward participation, collection scale, and community programming orientation, though in a different county.
• Wyomissing Public Library: Public library in Wyomissing, Berks County, Pennsylvania, serving a similar suburban community with comparable programming and collection scale. Comparable in Pennsylvania suburban public library operating model though outside Lancaster County.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MTPubLib
• Instagraminstagram.com/mtpublib
• Xx.com/MTPubLib
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/manheim-township-public-library

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Manheim Township Public Library