barrington public library
Barrington Public Library is a municipal public library in Barrington, Rhode Island, serving local residents with physical and digital collections, makerspace and Wi-Fi access, and community programming funded primarily by town taxes and supplemented by two affiliated nonprofits.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1880
- HeadquartersBarrington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What barrington public library does
Barrington Public Library is a municipal public library operated by the Town of Barrington, Rhode Island, with roots tracing to the 1806 Barrington Library Society and formal establishment in 1880. The library's core offering is a public catalog and circulation system delivered through the Ocean State Libraries (OSL) consortium of 50+ Rhode Island public libraries, enabling shared catalog access, interlibrary loan, and statewide digital lending. Physical operations are based at 281 County Road in the renovated 1984 Leander R. Peck School building, with major first-floor and second-floor renovations completed in 2005 and 2017 respectively.
The technology platform layers third-party digital content services on top of the OSL core: eZone/Libby (OverDrive) for ebooks/audiobooks, Kanopy for streaming video with 30 monthly tickets per cardholder, Flipster for digital magazines, Hoopla for additional media, and specialized databases for genealogy (Ancestry Library Edition, Heritage Hub), news (Providence Journal Online, NewsBank), and investment research (Value Line). The library also operates a Makerspace Studio with 3D printing (Flashforge Adventurer 3), laser cutting (Glowforge Pro), and a media conversion service that digitizes VHS/8mm/MiniDV formats. Self-service printing is supported through Princh mobile print integration.
The business model is predominantly public funding through municipal tax appropriation supplemented by two affiliated nonprofits — the Barrington Public Library Foundation (capital/enhancement fundraising) and the Friends of Barrington Public Library (supports over 88% of programs via memberships and book sales). Direct patron fees are minor: $171/year for a Full Access non-resident card, $25/year for a Local Access non-resident card, $1 card replacement, and per-page charges for printing/copying/fax. Free services are extended to RI residents and St. Andrews School boarding students. Customer segments span children and families, teens (grades 6-12), adults, and homebound/disabled patrons, served via horizontal segmentation with dedicated rooms (McCulloch Children's Room, Teen Room) and targeted programming.
barrington public library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- barrington public library
- Legal name
- Barrington Public Library
- Website
- https://barringtonlibrary.org
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1880
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Barrington Public Library is a municipal public library in Barrington, Rhode Island, serving local residents with physical and digital collections, makerspace and Wi-Fi access, and community programming funded primarily by town taxes and supplemented by two affiliated nonprofits.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
barrington public library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210)
- 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)
Keywords
Where barrington public library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Barrington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
barrington public library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Public Tax Funding: Primary funding source through local municipal taxes that cover day-to-day operations. The library ranks #1 in Rhode Island for cardholders per capita, indicating high community utilization of publicly-funded services.
- Private Donations and Grants: Foundation and Friends organization raise private funds for capital projects and library enhancements not covered by tax revenue. Memorial and legacy donations support specific initiatives like reading nooks and music programs.
- Non-Resident Library Card Fees: Annual fee of $171 for Full Access cards or $25 for Local Access cards for Rhode Island non-residents or out-of-state residents who do not pay RI property taxes.
- Replacement Fees and Fines: Replacement costs for lost or damaged materials, card replacement fee of $1, no overdue fines assessed.
- Print, Copy, Scan, and Fax Services: Self-service printing at 15 cents (B&W) and 25 cents (color), copying at 20 cents (B&W) and 50 cents (color), fax service at $1.75 first page plus $1 each additional page.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Free Library Card - Rhode Island Residents |
| Subscription | Annual | Full Access Non-Resident Card |
| Subscription | Annual | Local Access Non-Resident Card |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Card Replacement |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Printing Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Copying Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fax Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | USB Flash Drives |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Headphones |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
barrington public library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Barrington Public Library is a municipal public library providing free access to physical and digital collections (books, ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, streaming video), research databases, a Makerspace with 3D printing and laser cutting, public computer labs, free Wi-Fi, and programming for all ages. The library is funded primarily through municipal taxes with supplementary support from two affiliated nonprofits (Foundation and Friends) and serves as a community hub for education, cultural enrichment, and information access for residents of Barrington, Rhode Island.
Product overview
Barrington Public Library operates as a public library providing physical and digital collections, programming, and community services to residents of Barrington, Rhode Island. The core offering is the library catalog managed through the Ocean State Libraries (OSLRI) consortium, which provides access to materials across 50+ Rhode Island libraries. Digital services include the eZone/Libby platform for ebooks and audiobooks, Kanopy for streaming video, Flipster for digital magazines, and specialized databases for genealogy, business research, and news archives. The library maintains physical collections of books, DVDs, and specialty items including a Seed Library, Book Club kits, and Museum passes. Technology services include a Makerspace with 3D printing and laser cutting, Tech Help Desk, public computer labs, media conversion, and free Wi-Fi. Youth services span children's programming (story times, reading challenges) and teen services (gaming, tutoring, crafts). The Friends of the Library and Barrington Public Library Foundation provide supplementary funding for programs and capital improvements.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Library Catalog (OSLRI.net)
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 88% of library programs supported by Friends organization
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use barrington public library
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
barrington public library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
Feature5 records
barrington public library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ocean State Libraries (OSL) ConsortiumcoreStatewide consortium of over 50 Rhode Island public libraries enabling shared online catalog, interlibrary loans, and resource sharing across the state. Provides the technical infrastructure for the library's catalog system, online account management, and statewide borrowing.
- Friends of Barrington Public LibrarycoreNon-profit organization supporting over 88% of library programs including the Wednesday Film Lecture Series and Summer Reading Program. Raises funds through memberships and book sales (daily book sale, summer and fall book sales). Sponsors museum passes, Providence Journal Online access, Book Club in a Bag, Library of Things, and email newsletter.
- Barrington Public Library FoundationcorePrivate fundraising arm of the library raising funds for library enhancements and capital projects not covered by public funding. Manages the Annual Fund Drive (November-December), memorial donations, and legacy/bequest donations. Supports projects like first-floor study rooms and future building renovations.
- Barrington Farm SchoolminorLocal partner that provided the initial seeds for the library's Seed Library program started in Summer 2022. Community partner encouraging gardening and seed saving among residents.
- OSHEANminorCollaborated on the statewide outdoor Wi-Fi project that extended Wi-Fi coverage to the library parking lot and recreational areas behind the library. Provided technical expertise and partnership for the initiative.
- Information Technology Disaster Recovery Center (ITDRC)minorDonated hardware for the outdoor Wi-Fi project that extended free Wi-Fi to the library's outdoor spaces including the parking lot and Library Cove.
- IntellibeamminorProvided installation services for the outdoor Wi-Fi project in collaboration with OSHEAN and OSL to extend Wi-Fi coverage to library outdoor areas.
- AskRI.org / Providence Public LibrarycoreRhode Island's statewide reference resource center providing Flipster digital magazines, Homework Help, World Book Encyclopedia, Mango Languages, and other databases. Providence Public Library administers AskRI with OLIS funding support.
- National Library Service / Library of CongresscoreFederal program providing free reading materials and equipment to visually impaired, blind, or physically disabled individuals unable to read standard print. Through Talking Books Library program administered by RI Office of Library and Information Services since 1967.
- Head StartminorEarly childhood education program partnering with the library for Baby Steps parent education program, providing age-appropriate activities, crafts, and books for children birth to age 5 from Head Start families.
- St. Andrews SchoolminorLocal boarding school in Barrington whose students are eligible for free library cards valid during the current school year, expanding access to educational resources for students.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
barrington public library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Internet Archive: Internet Archive is a digital library offering free e-book lending, web archiving, and media digitization — overlapping with BPL's Libby/Kanopy digital lending and free Media Conversion service. It competes for patron attention and partially substitutes traditional library utility.
- Digital Public Library of America: DPLA is a nonprofit digital library aggregating content from U.S. libraries and archives. While not a direct municipal competitor, it represents the digital aggregation trend that increasingly substitutes for branch-level research services at libraries like BPL.
Broad incumbents
- Chicago Public Library: Chicago Public Library is a large U.S. municipal library system with a well-developed makerspace program and digital lending platform. Its innovation trajectory in tech services (YouMedia, digital labs) provides a relevant benchmark for how public libraries scale BPL-style programming.
- New York Public Library: NYPL is the largest public library system in the U.S., offering the same core services (catalog lending, e-books, programming, research databases, community programming) at much larger scale. It is a relevant broad-incumbent reference point for how a public library brand is built and monetized through donations and foundations.
- Boston Public Library: Boston Public Library is the major municipal library system for the Boston metro, sharing New England geography with BPL. It offers directly overlapping services (digital lending, museum passes, genealogy, children's/teen programming) at city-scale, making it a comparable broad incumbent.
- Seattle Public Library: Seattle Public Library is a flagship U.S. public library known for digital services, makerspaces, and civic programming. It is a comparable broad incumbent for how municipal libraries combine physical infrastructure with deep digital and maker programming.
Others
- Library of Congress: The Library of Congress is the U.S. federal research library that also administers the National Library Service Talking Books program — a service BPL itself routes patrons into. It is a federal-scale counterpart rather than a competitor, but informs BPL's accessibility and special-collections positioning.
Direct peers
- Providence Public Library: Providence Public Library is the flagship urban public library in Rhode Island and an existing AskRI.org partner with BPL. It serves the same statewide consortium (Ocean State Libraries), shares digital platforms like Flipster and Mango Languages, and offers directly comparable programs (children's, teen, genealogy, makerspace) — making it the closest direct peer within the same state system.
- East Providence Public Library: East Providence Public Library is a neighboring Rhode Island municipal library serving a similar suburban community on the same OSL consortium. BPL has already co-presented AI panels with East Bay libraries, indicating directly comparable programming scope, scale, and patron profile.
Regional players
- Warren Public Library (Rhode Island): Warren Public Library is a small-town Rhode Island public library in the East Bay, operating on the same OSL consortium. It offers a comparable municipal public-library operating model with smaller scale than BPL, useful as a benchmark for cost-per-cardholder and program efficiency.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks3 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
barrington public library social profiles
Digital presencebarrington public library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
barrington public library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
barrington public library subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
barrington public library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
barrington public library M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about barrington public library
What does barrington public library do?
Barrington Public Library is a municipal public library providing free access to physical and digital collections (books, ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, streaming video), research databases, a Makerspace with 3D printing and laser cutting, public computer labs, free Wi-Fi, and programming for all ages. The library is funded primarily through municipal taxes with supplementary support from two affiliated nonprofits (Foundation and Friends) and serves as a community hub for education, cultural enrichment, and information access for residents of Barrington, Rhode Island.
Is barrington public library a public or private company?
barrington public library is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was barrington public library founded?
barrington public library was founded in 1880. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is barrington public library based?
barrington public library is headquartered in Barrington, United States, in the North America region.
How does barrington public library make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Public Tax Funding is the primary driver. The others are private Donations and Grants, non-Resident Library Card Fees, replacement Fees and Fines and print, Copy, Scan, and Fax Services.
Who are barrington public library's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Internet Archive and Digital Public Library of America. Broad incumbents are Chicago Public Library, New York Public Library, Boston Public Library and Seattle Public Library. Library of Congress is listed as an others. Direct peers are Providence Public Library and East Providence Public Library. Warren Public Library (Rhode Island) is listed as a regional player.
Does barrington public library have an API?
No public API is recorded for barrington public library.
What industry is barrington public library in?
barrington public library's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management, with a secondary code of BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services. Its NAICS code is 51921.