Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library

What Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library does

Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library (CRCPL) is a tax-supported public library system serving Chillicothe and Ross County, Ohio, governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Ross County Court of Common Pleas and County Commissioners. It operates 8 physical locations — the Main Library, Main Library Annex, Northside Branch, Howard S. Young (Frankfort) Branch, Kingston Branch, Paxton (Bainbridge) Branch, Richmond Dale Branch, and South Salem Branch — plus The Bee Mobile Library and BookHive 24/7 pickup lockers in Adelphi, Clarksburg, Northside, and Pickaway-Ross CTC, providing the most extensive geographic service footprint in the county.

CRCPL's service portfolio spans traditional lending (books, movies, music), a digital eLibrary (eBooks/eAudiobooks via Ohio Digital Library/Overdrive and hoopla, video via Kanopy, music via Freegal, language learning via Mango Languages, genealogy databases), a "Beyond Books" non-traditional collection (bikes, kayaks, disc golf sets, tools, musical instruments, telescopes, seeds, Memory Kits), and community programming (storytimes, Summer Music Series, Bookworm summer reading, Creative Aging classes, Book Clubs, writing groups). Technology lending includes WiFi hotspots (to be discontinued after October 2026) and 36 Chromebooks funded by United Way of Ross County and a State Library of Ohio CARES Act mini-grant. The SEO Libraries mobile app (Android/iOS) integrates the Sirsi catalog, hoopla, and Ohio Digital Library and offers a digital barcode replacing the physical library card. Other services include genealogy research, notary public, voter registration, emergency food resources, a telehealth room for community non-profits, meeting-room reservations, and Adventure Passes to local attractions.

The library is funded primarily through a recurring public tax levy on Ross County property owners, supplemented by grants from the State Library of Ohio, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the United Way of Ross County, the Ross County Health District (Creating Healthy Communities), and donations from local organizations such as First Capital Flight Club and First Presbyterian Church. All core patron-facing services are free; revenue from fees is limited to printing ($.10/page B&W, $.50/page color), faxing, and equipment-replacement charges for lost hotspots ($100) or Chromebooks ($200). Go-to-market is community-led: physical branches, mobile outreach, BookHive lockers, the website, email/Communico newsletter, Facebook, and presence at festivals and community events. The executive team is led by Executive Director James Hill, with Cassie Stout as Chief Fiscal Officer and a 13+ person management layer covering Access, Enrichment, Facilities, IT, HR, Outreach, Cataloging, Communications, and Marketing functions.

Name

Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library

Legal name

Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library

Website

https://crcpl.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library is a tax-supported public library system serving Chillicothe and Ross County, Ohio via 8 branches, a mobile library, and 24/7 pickup lockers, offering free lending collections, digital resources, technology loans, and community programming to county residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), 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 Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Library lending programs
• Digital library resources
• Community education programs
• Mobile library services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chillicothe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Public Tax Funding: Library is supported by public tax funding as a government institution providing free services to the community.
2. Grants and Donations: Library receives funding through grants (State Library of Ohio, IMLS, CARES Act, United Way, Creating Healthy Communities) and donations from organizations like First Capital Flight Club.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library provides free public library services to residents of Ross County, Ohio, including lending of physical and digital books and media, public computing and internet access, technology lending of WiFi hotspots and Chromebooks, and community programming for all ages. Service is delivered through eight branch libraries, a mobile library vehicle, and BookHive automated locker pickup, supported by the SEO Libraries consortium catalog.

Product overview

Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library operates a multi-branch public library system serving Ross County, Ohio with 8 physical locations plus mobile and outreach services. The library offers a comprehensive portfolio of services organized into physical collections (books, movies, music), digital resources through its eLibrary portal, and non-traditional lending under its Beyond Books program. Key technology offerings include the SEO Libraries mobile app, BookHives 24/7 pickup lockers, The Bee Mobile Library, WiFi hotspot and Chromebook lending programs, and the Fiero Code coding education platform. The library also provides genealogical research services, meeting room reservations, outreach programs, and community events including a Summer Music Series and Bookworm Summer Reading Program. Physical locations offer patron computers, free WiFi, notary services, and specialized collections.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Bee Mobile Library: Mobile library service that takes library services to patrons throughout Ross County, 'Pollinating the community with good things'
• BookHives
• Memory Kits

Products and services

• Physical and digital library lending collections Core lending service providing access to physical and digital books, audiobooks, movies, and magazines to library cardholders across Ross County through eight branches, mobile library stops, BookHive lockers, and the SEO Libraries digital catalog/app.
• WiFi hotspot lending program Allows library cardholders to borrow a portable WiFi hotspot for home internet access, addressing broadband gaps in Ross County households.
• Chromebook lending program Loans Chromebooks to library cardholders for home use, removing device access barriers for residents without personal computers.
• Public computer and WiFi access Provides free in-branch public computer stations and WiFi access to any patron visiting a library location.
• Community programs and storytimes Recurring library programs such as storytimes for early literacy and Cruisin' the Streets youth outreach, plus other community programming for teens, adults, and seniors.
• Mobile library service Operates a mobile library vehicle that travels to underserved or off-site locations across Ross County, expanding access beyond fixed branches.
• BookHive locker pickup service Automated locker pickup service allowing patrons to retrieve reserved library materials from BookHive lockers at convenient off-branch locations.
• Digital resources via SEO Libraries app and catalog Provides digital e-books, audiobooks, and other digital media through participation in the SEO Libraries consortium, accessed via the SEO Libraries app and online catalog.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free internet access for patrons lacking connectivity through E-Rate subsidized program (20-90% discount)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• State Library of OhiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022State Library of Ohio provided grant funding (2022) for purchase of BookHive 24/7 library material pickup lockers, expanding access to library services outside regular hours.
• Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022IMLS provided grant funding (2022) for purchase of BookHive 24/7 library material pickup lockers as part of improving library accessibility.
• United Way of Ross CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way of Ross County Covid-19 Response & Recovery grant funded 36 Chromebook laptops for patron lending, helping bridge the digital divide.
• State Library of Ohio (CARES Act)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Library of Ohio CARES Act mini-grant provided additional funding for Chromebook lending program.
• Ross County Health DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoss County Health District's 'Creating Healthy Communities' grant funds the Book-A-Bike program, promoting health and active transportation.
• First Presbyterian Church of ChillicotheminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch operates Children's Clothing Bank located at Main Library Annex, providing clothes for children from infant to teen sizes.
• First Capital Flight ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal disc golf club donated Disc Golf Sets to the library for patron checkout.
• Ohio Digital Library (Overdrive)coreTechnology or IntegrationPart of Ohio library consortium providing access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, and magazines through Overdrive/Libby platform. Users may check out 20 items at a time and place up to 30 holds.
• hooplacoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital media platform providing eBooks, eAudiobooks, film, TV, and music. CRCPL patrons get 20 Flex borrows and 10 Instant borrows each month, plus BingePasses and Bonus Borrows.
• KanopycoreTechnology or IntegrationAward-winning video streaming service providing access to 30,000+ independent and documentary films including The Criterion Collection and The Great Courses. Patrons may check out up to 15 titles per month.
• OPLIN (Ohio Public Library Information Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationOhio library network providing shared digital resources including New York Times access, Mango Languages, Ancestry Online, and other databases.
• OhioLINKcoreTechnology or IntegrationOhio university and library consortium providing access to additional research databases and resources.
• INFOhiocoreTechnology or IntegrationOhio K-12 library network providing educational resources and databases for students and educators.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Delaware County District Library: Central Ohio county library system of comparable size and scope to CRCPL; serves Delaware County, Ohio with a similar multi-branch model, digital resource access through OPLIN, and broad community programming.
• Fairfield County District Library: Central Ohio county library system of comparable scale serving Fairfield County; offers multi-branch service, digital lending, and community programming structurally analogous to CRCPL's Ross County operations.
• Dayton Metro Library: Mid-sized Ohio metropolitan/county library system serving Montgomery County; shares Ohio library consortium membership, e-resource access (Libby/hoopla/Kanopy), and multi-branch service model with CRCPL.
• Pickaway County Library: Adjacent Ohio county library explicitly referenced in CRCPL data (Pickaway-Ross CTC BookHive partnership); comparable size and rural Ohio operating model make it a directly comparable peer.

Others

• State Library of Ohio: State-level library authority that provides grant funding, LSTA pass-through dollars, and statewide coordination to CRCPL; relevant as a regulator/funding partner peer that shapes CRCPL's funding pipeline and program eligibility.
• Mid-Ohio Library Cooperative (SEO Library Center): Ohio library consortium that provides CRCPL's catalog technology (SirsiDynix) and powers the SEO Libraries mobile app; functions as a shared-services and platform peer relevant to CRCPL's technology and consortium positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Cleveland Public Library: One of Ohio's largest library systems serving Cuyahoga County; comparable public library governance and digital resource access model, though operating at materially larger scale and budget than CRCPL.
• Columbus Metropolitan Library: Larger Ohio library system serving Franklin County with extensive branches and digital resources; participates in the same statewide consortium partnerships (Ohio Digital Library, OPLIN), making it a relevant incumbent comparable.
• Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library: Major Ohio county library system with multi-branch operations, extensive digital lending, and community programming; shares consortium and platform relationships with CRCPL, though at substantially greater scale.
• Akron-Summit County Public Library: Established Ohio county library system with multi-branch service, digital lending, and community programming; relevant incumbent comparable on operating model and consortium membership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chillicothe-and-ross-county-public-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library