What The Library Store does

The Library Store is a privately held, US-focused specialty retailer founded in 1983 and headquartered in Tremont, Illinois. The company sells library and school supplies, furniture, equipment, and books to public libraries, K-12 schools, and educational institutions through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront (thelibrarystore.com), supplemented by phone orders, printed catalogs, live chat, and quote-based institutional sales. Its catalog spans more than 30,000 SKUs across roughly 20 product categories including library shelving, library and classroom furniture, children's and teen furniture, lounge seating, STEM/makerspace, archival supplies, AV equipment, security systems, signage, decor, and curated book collections, drawing on 40+ third-party brands (Estey, 3M, HABA, Jonti-Craft, Paragon, Smith System, tenjam, WESCO, bibliotheca, and others) alongside its own TLS™ house brand.

The underlying technology stack is a conventional e-commerce platform with integrated catalog, inventory management, and customer account systems, augmented by a Virtual Room Designer visualization tool and complimentary Design Services that provide budget planning, room layout, product selection, and installation assistance for larger institutional projects. TLS-branded consumables — including book pockets, jacket covers, labels, and book repair supplies — are manufactured in-house at the Tremont facility, supporting a Made-in-USA positioning across multiple listings.

The business model is product sales at unit-based retail pricing with volume discounts and a price-match policy, plus quote-based multi-year contracts for institutional projects. Revenue mechanics are one-time purchase driven, with no subscription, licensing, or SaaS component. The company is owner-operated with no disclosed parent, no external funding rounds, and operates exclusively in the United States.

Name

The Library Store

Legal name

The Library Store

Website

https://thelibrarystore.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Library Store is a privately held US specialty retailer, founded in 1983 in Tremont, Illinois, selling library supplies, furniture, equipment, and books to public libraries and schools through e-commerce, phone, and catalog channels, featuring its own TLS house brand and 40+ partner brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Library Supplies and Furniture

NAICS

General Merchandise Retailers (455), Office Supplies and Stationery Retailers (45941)

SIC

Retail-Department Stores (5311), Retail-Furniture Stores (5712)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Category Generalist Catalog Department Store Retailers (CRAGAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Home & Furniture-Focused Catalog Department Store Retailers (CRAGAIAB)

Keywords

• Library supplies
• Library furniture
• Library shelving
• Classroom furniture
• Makerspace equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Tremont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: The Library Store generates revenue through direct sales of library supplies, furniture, and equipment to libraries, schools, and educational institutions. Products are sold at retail prices with discounts available. The company also offers made-to-order and custom products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Library Store is a specialized online retailer that sells 30,000+ library supplies, furniture, shelving, equipment, books, STEM/makerspace products, archival materials, and security systems to libraries and schools. The company designs and manufactures its own TLS-branded products, including library book pockets and book jacket covers, at its Tremont, Illinois facility. It also provides complementary design services for project coordination, including budget planning, room layout, product selection, and installation assistance.

Product overview

The Library Store is a specialized B2B/B2C e-commerce retailer offering over 30,000 products for libraries and schools. Its product portfolio is organized into a single unified catalog platform featuring core product categories: Library Supplies (circulation supplies, book repair, labels, laminators, security), Library Shelving (multiple collections in wood, steel, and hybrid), Library Furniture (circulation desks, study carrels, PAC stations, book returns), Classroom Furniture and Supplies, Children's Furniture and Zone products, Teen and ESports Furniture, STEM & Makerspace products, Archival Supplies, Audio Visual Supplies, Books & Media, Decor, Signage, Office Supplies, Library Gifts, Storage & Organization, and its own TLS house brand. The store also offers complementary Design Services (project coordination, room layout, installation) and a Virtual Room Designer tool. Products span over 40 third-party brands including Estey, HABA, Jonti-Craft, MooreCo, tenjam, WESCO, Whitney Brothers, and Wood Designs, with the company's own TLS brand products manufactured in Tremont, Illinois.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TLS™ Brand Products: The company's private label brand covering library supplies including book pockets, book jacket covers, book labels, circulation supplies, and library furniture accessories manufactured in Tremont, Illinois.

Products and services

• Library Shelving A comprehensive line of library shelving solutions including Atlantis, Aurora Quick-Loc, Estey Steel, Inspire, Nautilus, Palette, Paragon, and Stately collections, available in wood, steel, and hybrid configurations, plus picture book, periodical, mobile, and curved variants, for libraries and schools.
• Library Furniture Full range of library-specific furniture including circulation desks, information desks, study carrels, PAC stations, book returns, and furniture collections from brands such as TLS Atlantis, TLS Nautilus, 3branch, American Book Returns, Global Furniture, HABA, Hickory Contract, HPFI, JSI, Kingsley Book Returns, MAR-LINE Display Systems, Paragon, Russwood, Jonti-Craft, MooreCo, Whitney Brothers, and Wood Designs, for libraries and schools.
• Classroom Furniture Furniture designed for classroom environments including activity tables, chairs, maps and globes, reading writing centers, science and lab furniture, teacher desks, student desks, tablet and laptop charging carts, makerspace workstations, lecterns, cubbies, floor cushions, study carrels, and storage carts, for K-12 schools and classrooms.
• Children's Furniture Furniture and seating for children's spaces including active play tables, bean bags, chairs, displays, lounge seating, tables, cubbies, floor cushions, giant animal plush, picture book trucks, puppet theaters, reading nooks, sensory panels, shelving, rugs, and reading writing centers, for children's library and school zones.
• Lounge Furniture and Seating Soft seating, lounge chairs, modular lounge seating, stools, and ottomans for libraries, teens, and collaborative spaces, featuring brands such as Global, Gressco, HABA, Hickory Contract, HPFI, JSI, KFI Studios, MooreCo, Russwood, Smith System, tenjam, and WESCO.
• Teen Furniture and ESports Furniture designed for teen spaces including cafe chairs, cafe tables, lounge chairs, soft seating, tablet chairs, booth seating, displays, area rugs, modular lounge seating, and dedicated ESports furniture with charging stations, lounge seating, gaming chairs, gaming headphones, gaming rugs, and gaming tables.
• Library Supplies General library supplies including book easels, bookmarks, circulation supplies (bar code scanners, patron ID cards, receipt printers, library book pockets, date due slips, stamps, catalog cards), protective book covers (paperback covers, jacket covers, laminate, magazine protection), book repair tools, labels and label protectors, laminators, security supplies, pencils, posters, shelf organization, tape, incentives and rewards, and CD/DVD storage.
• TLS Brand Products The Library Store's own branded product lines including TLS Atlantis and TLS Nautilus furniture collections and quickship programs, TLS book and magazine covers, TLS book labels, book pockets, bookplates and platelets, book repair glue, kits and tape, book supports and bookends, catalog cards, custom barcode labels, date due slips, book cards, headphones, label protectors, laminate, library slips and forms, magazine file cases, patron cards, and shelf markers and signs, manufactured in Tremont, Illinois.
• Archival Supplies Supplies for archival preservation including archival book covers, circulation supplies, cleaners, envelopes and folders, adhesives, labels, storage boxes, rulers and measuring devices, archival tape, bone folders, book binding tools, weights and press boards, paper trimmers, and book repair kits, for libraries and archival collections.
• STEM and Makerspace Science, technology, engineering, and makerspace supplies and furniture including 3D printing, arts and crafts (button making, die cutting, glue, paper, pottery, pens/markers), building and engineering, coding and programming, electronics and circuitry, robotics, science and biology, tablet charging and accessories, video production and podcasting, makerspace workstations, markerboards, baskets and tubs, active play tables, and storage carts, for school and library makerspaces.
• Audio Visual Supplies AV equipment and supplies including AV carts, media players and boomboxes, CD and DVD storage, document cameras, headphones and earbuds, listening centers, lecterns and presentation carts, media circulation supplies, microphones and PA systems, projector accessories, tablet charging accessories, video production and podcasting equipment, and hanging bag displays, for libraries and schools.
• Library Security Security systems for libraries including EM (electromagnetic) security systems, RFID and RF security systems, disc security, surveillance equipment, and patron counters, for libraries and educational institutions.
• Books and Media Curated book collections for libraries including children's books (grades PreK-3), middle grade books (grades 4-8), teen and young adult books (grades 9-12), and educational books and DVDs, for school and public libraries.
• Decor Interior decoration items including decorative pictures, light filters, room partitions, clocks, lamps, plants, area rugs, kids rugs, posters, bulletin board decor, ceiling decor, door decorations, wall banners, window clings, and sensory panels, for libraries and schools.
• Signage Signage products including sign holders, name badges, signage letters, engraved signs and letters, floor signs, label makers and supplies, indoor signs, outdoor signs, sign hanging supplies, and shelf label holders and inserts, for libraries and schools.
• Office Supplies General office supplies including calculators, cleaners, computer accessories, coffee bar furniture and supplies, desk supplies, mailing and packing supplies, paper trimmers and scissors, pens, markers and crayons, pencil sharpeners, Post-it notes, staplers and supplies, and desk organizers, for library and school front-of-house operations.
• Library Gifts Gift and merchandise items including backpacks, bags and totes, coffee mugs and tumblers, hand puppets and plush, gift certificates, literary jewelry, literary socks, literary t-shirts, bookmarks, incentives and rewards, games and puzzles, pencils, and giant animal plush, sold through library gift shops and school stores.
• Storage and Organization Storage and organization products including classroom lockers, storage carts, storage and file cabinets, baskets and tubs, book and magazine file cases, archival storage, desk organizers, CD and DVD storage, hanging bags and displays, cubbies, tablet and laptop charging carts, and magbox shelf organization, for libraries and schools.
• Design Services Project coordination and design services including budget planning, room layout, product selection, and installation assistance, along with a gallery of library designs organized by room type and a Virtual Room Designer tool, for libraries and schools undertaking renovation or new-build projects.

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• EsteymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEstey is a major shelving brand carried by The Library Store, offering steel library shelving products.
• 3MmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor3M is a key brand partner providing library supplies including laminators and laminating film.
• Global FurnituremajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal Furniture Group supplies lounge seating and furnishings for library environments.
• HABAmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHABA provides children's and educational furniture including chairs, tables, and playground equipment.
• Jonti-CraftmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJonti-Craft specializes in children's furniture for libraries and classrooms.
• Paragon FurnituremajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParagon provides library and institutional furniture including shelving and seating.
• Smith SystemmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSmith System supplies educational furniture designed for learning environments.
• tenjamminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributortenjam provides polyethylene furniture including lounge chairs and modular seating.
• WESCOminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWESCO supplies recreational and lounge furniture including deck chairs and children's seating.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Demco: Demco is a long-established direct-to-customer supplier of library furniture, supplies, shelving, and Makerspace products to schools and public libraries, making it the most directly comparable competitor to The Library Store's core catalog and customer base.
• Brodart: Brodart supplies library books, automation, furniture, and supplies to school and public libraries. Its combination of curated book collections and library supplies/furniture directly parallels The Library Store's Books & Media and library supplies offerings.
• Highsmith (Follett Content): Follett Content, which absorbed Highsmith, sells library books, processing supplies, shelving, and furniture to K–12 schools and libraries. The overlap with The Library Store's school and library supply assortment is substantial, particularly on the consumables and book-processing side.
• Gaylord: Gaylord specializes in archival, library, and museum supplies and furniture, including book repair, shelving, and conservation materials. Its overlap with The Library Store's archival, circulation, and shelving categories makes it a close direct peer in the institutional library market.

Broad incumbents

• Office Depot (ODP Business Solutions): Office Depot serves schools, businesses, and consumers with office supplies, furniture, and technology products via retail and e-commerce channels. It competes with The Library Store on office supplies, signage, and basic furniture SKUs at much greater scale and with broader geographic reach.
• Quill: Quill is an office and school supplies e-commerce retailer serving SMBs and educational institutions. Its overlap with The Library Store's office supplies and school-focused assortment, combined with its much larger scale, makes it a broad incumbent competitor on price-sensitive SKUs.
• Amazon Business: Amazon Business is the B2B arm of Amazon serving schools, libraries, and government buyers with broad assortments of supplies, furniture, books, and AV. While not a specialty library player, its scale, pricing, and Prime delivery pose a persistent competitive threat across nearly every category The Library Store carries.
• School Specialty: School Specialty is a larger, broadline distributor of educational supplies, furniture, and classroom products to K–12 districts. It serves an overlapping buyer (schools and librarians) but with a much wider assortment beyond library-specific items, positioning it as a broader incumbent peer.

Emerging players

• Lakeshore Learning: Lakeshore Learning provides educational furniture, classroom supplies, and STEM/Makerspace products to schools and families. Its emphasis on children's and classroom furniture overlaps with The Library Store's Kids' Zone and Classroom Zone categories, though it skews more toward early-childhood and consumables.
• Kaplan Early Learning Company: Kaplan supplies early-childhood classroom furniture, manipulatives, and learning materials to schools and daycares. It overlaps with The Library Store's children's furniture and educational supply categories, though focused on early-childhood rather than full library ecosystems.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/librarystore
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheLibraryStoreInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-library-store

Compliance10 records

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

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Library Store