42 Trending Online Library Businesses [2024]

Pat Walls

•

Updated: January 18th, 2023

Start An Online Library Business

An online library business is a platform that allows users to access a vast collection of digital books, audiobooks, and other media. The business model is simple: users pay a subscription fee to access the library, which can be accessed on any device with an internet connection.

One of the key benefits of an online library business is that it allows users to access their favorite books and media anytime, anywhere. This is especially useful for busy individuals who don’t have time to visit a physical library or bookstore. Additionally, an online library can offer a much wider selection of books and media than a physical library, making it an attractive option for avid readers and media enthusiasts.

To run a successful online library business, there are vital tips to keep in mind. First, building a solid partnership with publishers and authors is essential to secure the rights to a wide range of books and media. This will help attract diverse users and keep them returning for more. Next, it’s essential to focus on building a user-friendly platform that is easy to navigate and search. This will make it easier for users to find the content they are looking for and keep them coming back.

Finally, focusing on marketing and promotion is essential to attract new users and keep existing ones engaged. This can include social media marketing, email marketing, and other tactics to spread the word about your online library.

Overall, an online library business is an excellent idea for entrepreneurs looking to tap into the growing demand for digital media. With a strong focus on building partnerships, creating a user-friendly platform, and promoting your business, you can build a successful online library that serves many users.

Looking for some examples of a online library business?

Interested in case studies of a successful online library business? Check out our full list of success stories.

1. WILEY

Website traffic: 39.2M/month

2. JW.ORG

Website traffic: 224M/month

Learn more about starting an online library business:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start an online library business?
-> Pros and cons of an online library business

Need inspiration?

-> Other online library business success stories
-> Marketing ideas for an online library business

Other resources

4. VitalSource

Students can save up to 80% with eTextbooks from VitalSource, the leading provider of online textbooks and course materials.

Where they're located: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Website traffic: 10.3M/month

5. O'Reilly Media

Gain technology and business knowledge and hone your skills with learning resources created and curated by O'Reilly's experts: live online training, video, books, our platform has content from 200+ of the worldâs best publishers.

Where they're located: Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
Website traffic: 5.79M/month

6. The Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution, and it serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with more than 162 million items. The collections include books, sound recordings, motion pictures, photographs, maps, and manuscripts.

Where they're located: Washington D.C., Washington, D.C., USA
Website traffic: 6.31M/month

7. Nashville Public Library

Browse, borrow, and enjoy titles from the Nashville Public Library digital collection.

Where they're located: Nashville, Tennessee, USA

8. Northeastern University

Where they're located: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Website traffic: 3.54M/month

9. University of Illinois at Chicago

Located in the heart of one of the world’s great cities, the University of Illinois at Chicago is a vital part of the educational, technological and cultural fabric of the region. As Chicago’s only public research university with more than 33,000 students, 16 colleges, a hospital and a health sciences system, UIC provides students access to excellence and opportunity.

Website traffic: 3.11M/month

10. Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University is a place where you can be an individual and achieve exceptional things. We are committed to learning and exploration, to both discovery and impact.

Where they're located: Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
Website traffic: 3.41M/month

11. Emory University

Where they're located: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Website traffic: 2.54M/month

12. PSU Business Accelerator

One of the nation’s most innovative universities, PSU offers in-person & online education courses for undergraduate & graduate programs. Explore PSU today.

Where they're located: Portland, Oregon, USA
Website traffic: 1.83M/month

13. Troesh Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

UNLV is a premier metropolitan research university. Its 332-acre main campus, located on the Southern tip of Nevada in a desert valley surrounded by mountains, is home to more than 350 undergraduate and graduate degrees, all accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Where they're located: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Website traffic: 1.2M/month

14. University

15. The Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Welcome to Sac State, California's Capital University, an institution of higher education that celebrates diversity and fosters lifelong success for its students.

16. California State University San Marcos in North San Diego County

Website traffic: 1.02M/month

17. Tulane University

Where they're located: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Website traffic: 1.13M/month

18. University of New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire combines the living and learning environment of a New England liberal arts college with the breadth, spirit of discovery, and civic commitment of a land-grant research institution.

Where they're located: Durham, North Carolina, USA

19. City, University of London

City, University of London is a leading global university committed to academic excellence, focused on business and the professions and located in the heart of London, UK.

Where they're located: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
Website traffic: 1.08M/month

20. Boston College

Boston College, the first institution of higher education to operate in the city of Boston, is today among the nation’s foremost universities, a leader in the liberal arts, scientific inquiry, and student formation.

Where they're located: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Website traffic: 1.42M/month

21. Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs for students looking to gain a competitive edge in their field. NSU Florida students don't just get an education, they prepare for real careers, real contributions and real life.

Where they're located: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

22. Home

Where they're located: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Website traffic: 2.2M/month

23. LibAnswers Community Page

Where they're located: San Francisco, California, USA

24. Montana State University

Website traffic: 790K/month

25. EPCC

Where they're located: El Paso, Texas, USA
Website traffic: 460K/month

26. Municode

27. Free News, Magazines, Newspapers, Journals, Reference Articles and Classic Books

Free Online Library: One of the largest online libraries in the world -- Millions of news, trade publications, newspapers, magazine, journal and reference documents on business, communications, entertainment, health, law, government, politics, science and technology from leading publications are available on the Free Online Library

Where they're located: Cuvette-Ouest, Congo-Brazzaville
Website traffic: 990K/month

28. Western Washington University

Western Washington University (WWU), located in Bellingham, WA, welcomes students at the front door of discovery. We invite you to connect, create and join in community with others who thrive on learning.

Website traffic: 870K/month

29. Community College of Baltimore County

Welcome to the Community College of Baltimore County website.

Where they're located: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Website traffic: 360K/month

30. Home

Seattle Central College is a leading state college and part of the Seattle Colleges District, located in the vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood and beyond.

Where they're located: Seattle, Washington, USA
Website traffic: 370K/month

31. Perlego

Save up to 90% on textbooks. Read thousands of professional and academic ebooks in one simple space. Start your free trial today.

Website traffic: 2.32M/month

32. NDSU

North Dakota State University is a student-focused, land-grant, research university — an economic engine that educates students, conducts primary research, creates new knowledge and advances technology. The university provides affordable access to an excellent education at a top-ranked research institution.

Website traffic: 650K/month

33. Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Where they're located: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Website traffic: 300K/month

34. LIRN

LIRN is a nonprofit library service and content provider working to strengthen libraries for successful learning -- so students can thrive in their academic careers and beyond.

Where they're located: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Website traffic: 180K/month

35. OverDrive

Borrow eBooks, audiobooks and videos from thousands of public libraries worldwide.

Where they're located: Denver, Colorado, USA
Website traffic: 330K/month

36. San Francisco Public Library

Where they're located: San Francisco, California, USA
Website traffic: 280K/month

37. Educating OKC Since 1904

Where they're located: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
Website traffic: 70K/month

38. Loudoun County, VA

Website traffic: 950K/month

39. unknown

Where they're located: Denver, Colorado, USA

40. Johns Hopkins Medicine, based in Baltimore, Maryland

Where they're located: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Website traffic: 350K/month

41. BizLibrary

See how BizLibrary’s online learning solutions in content, technology, and strategic partnership can help your organization overcome your toughest business challenges.

Website traffic: 160K/month

Part of

Starting An Online Library Business: Everything You Need To Know

‹

›