Libraries have always been wizards at doing more with less. You've mastered the art of stretching budgets, writing grants, and turning five dollars into a month-long program that somehow includes snacks and craft supplies. But what if you could flip the script entirely and start bringing in money instead of always chasing it?
No, we're not talking about overdue fines (may they rest in peace). We're talking about smart, sustainable, community-aligned ways to generate revenue without compromising your mission. In fact, the best ideas do the opposite—they support your mission, deepen community impact, and help you fund the future of your library.
And this isn’t about becoming a business. It’s about being resourceful. Strategic. Creative. (And let’s be real: survival-savvy.)
So let's get creative about generating revenue for your library.
All right, let's talk about space. Specifically, the kind that sits unused between 10am and 3pm on a Tuesday while you're busy juggling programs, public printing emergencies, and an impromptu desk therapy session. (We feel you!)
You already probably know this, but here it is in plain English: your building is one of your biggest untapped assets. And in 2025, space is money—especially quiet, connected, reliable space with decent lighting.
So what if you transformed part of your library into a flexible co-working and meeting zone? A functional, welcoming, pay-to-use workspace for remote workers, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and the non-profit crowd?
Take a look at the underutilized corners of your building. That quiet room no one reads in? Prime real-estate. A local history room that's only booked once a week? Add it to the list.
Outfit these spaces with Wi-Fi (non-negotiable), outlets (lots), moveable furniture, and maybe a few perks (coffee, printing, or lockers). Bonus points if you can throw in sound-dampening dividers or a whiteboard.
Here are some options for revenue possibilities:
Daily Desk Passes
Monthly co-working memberships
Meeting room rentals
Printing, scanning, and caffeine (yes, you can sell coffee)
And you don't need to go all in on day one. Start with meeting room rentals. If you've got the appetite (and a strong enough WiFi signal), expand into a hot desk or dedicated co-working nooks.
Now how about logistics:
You'll need a simple booking and payment system.
You'll want to revisit your room policies.
You might need to train staff on tech troubleshooting, or managing questions like “Is this desk ergonomic?” (Spoiler: probably not.)
But the demand is still real. Remote work isn't a trend—it's a shift. Your library can be the go-to spot for folks who are tired of working at their kitchen tables, coffee shops, or cars (it's a thing).
And unlike commercial co-working spaces, you've got something they don't: community, trust, and a mission that isn't profit-first.
Keep the marketing local.
Feature the space on your website with real photos (not stock images of suspiciously happy laptop users).
Promote on social media and in your email newsletter.
Partner with your local chamber of commerce or economic development office.
Offer a “Free Desk Friday” once a month to get people in the door.
Sure, there will be challenges.
Noise complaints. Policy hurdles. The occasional "I thought libraries were free" comment. But these are solvable.
Communicate your reasoning. Reinforce that this isn’t a cash grab—it’s a service expansion that supports your community’s changing needs. And it allows funding for other community services to those less fortunate.
You're promoting equitable access to work tools, supporting local economic development, and creating lifelong learning opportunities. (You could even plan entrepreneur workshops and networking events.)
And you already have most of what you need. You're not starting from zero—you're just flipping the script on how the space can work for your community. For big-city libraries, this could mean sleek, tech-heavy spaces with multiple membership tiers. For a rural library, maybe it's one room with strong Wi-Fi and a coffee pot. Either way, it works.
Start small. Test the idea with a single room. See what your community wants more of. And when it works (because it probably will), scale up.
We all know libraries are more than just books. So why not create a library experience that extends into evenings and weekends with events and workshops for grown-ups? You've already got the space. You've got the staff, or can recruit volunteers. You've got a community that's looking for things to do (trust us, they're out there). The trick is just connecting the dots.
How about setting up a "Library Lounge" concept? Think of it as an after-hours, library-only event space where people can come for a variety of experiences. You could host author talks, book clubs, DIY workshops (knitting, woodworking, urban gardening), or even local history nights where patrons can dig into the past with a local historian or genealogist.
You could even turn one of your meeting rooms into a temporary art gallery featuring local artists, with an opening night reception and light refreshments.
These kinds of events can bring in money without needing massive investments. Charge a small ticket fee, offer VIP access, or sell raffle tickets for cool prizes donated by local businesses.
Want to do a workshop? Charge a small price for materials (think $5–$15 per person). You can also try offering annual “event memberships” that give access to a certain number of events each year.
And because libraries have built-in trust with their communities, people will be more willing to part with their hard-earned cash. They’ll also appreciate the chance to get involved in meaningful activities with neighbors and locals. When you’re implementing this, it’s all about the "vibe."
You need to make sure that your events are something your community wants to attend. Start with a community survey or a “What do you want us to do in the evening?” poll. (You get the idea.)
You also need to make sure you have the volunteers, staff, and resources to support these events. Your librarians aren’t magicians (though they’re pretty close). Consider adding part-time event coordinators if it’s within your budget.
Here's where you can get creative:
Start by promoting through your website, social media, and email newsletters.
Partner with local cafes, restaurants, organizations, or businesses for cross-promotion and sponsorships (a local brewery could sponsor a beer-tasting night, for example).
Use posters and flyers around town to draw in locals who might not think to check out your library for an event.
It’s also about pacing yourself. Start small with one or two events and see how they go. If things go well, you can grow from there. And if your budget is tight, don’t be afraid to lean on volunteers, local businesses, and even library patrons who might have a particular skill or passion (like local history buffs or gardeners) to run a few workshops for free or low-cost.
Plus, the community-building aspect is huge. You're literally providing a place for your community to gather and grow together. You’re creating new opportunities for adult education and recreation that match the needs of modern, busy people. It’s an innovative, easy-to-implement way to bring more foot traffic and revenue into your library while staying true to your mission.
You and your staff are walking, talking content curators. You know your collections, your databases, your weird-but-wonderful special archives. You know what people in your community are interested in, what they’re Googling, and where the reliable info lives (spoiler: it’s not TikTok).
Enter Curated Content-as-a-Service.
Think of it like Netflix, but instead of shows, you’re offering customized reading lists, research packets, archival dig-ups, and niche-topic newsletters. These can be created by your staff for individuals, schools, local businesses, educators, nonprofits, clubs, or even government departments.
Let’s say a local startup needs a crash course on climate policy. You can assemble a resource packet with digital materials, book suggestions, and database access.
A high school history teacher wants primary sources on your town’s civil rights history. You can put together a curated list of documents, articles, and interview leads.
A genealogy buff is trying to trace their family through 1800s land records. You already know where those are buried.
A local homeschool group is studying astronomy and needs resources. Create a list of non-fiction and fiction books for each age group, craft and field trip ideas, and a list of websites for research.
Some citizens want to learn a new language. Make a list of books based on proficiency-level, a schedule or progression plan, places they can go to enhance their learning, and create a club that will meet at the library to practice.
Job seekers are looking for all the help they can get. Create an interview-prep document with best practices, how to dress, what to bring with them, and how to practice interviewing. Include a list of helpful books and videos, too.
This is a service people will pay for. And it’s scalable. Here’s what you’ll need:
A form on your website where people can submit requests (keep it user-friendly).
A clear menu of services and pricing tiers (so people know what they’re getting).
Some staff time carved out for packet creation or content curation.
If you're lucky, a staffer who loves research rabbit holes and needs minimal supervision (you know the type).
A list of volunteers, businesses, and organizations that would be interested in helping.
But don’t let the tech scare you—this doesn't require a new platform. A solid webpage, a contact form, and a payment processor like Square or PayPal (or even Venmo) is plenty to get started.
Play to your strengths for marketing:
Promote to local schools, historical societies, and nonprofits who need reliable info but don’t always have the bandwidth to dig for it.
Offer a free teaser list. Something like “Little-Known Facts About Your Hometown” or “Essential Resources for Small Businesses” to show what kind of quality they can expect.
Setting expectations is key. This isn’t a PhD-level literature review (unless you have a local literature professor who wants to add to it). It’s a carefully crafted, accessible resource packet. You’ll also need to manage staff time wisely. But these are solvable with clear guidelines, templates, and scheduling tools.
You’re connecting people to accurate, meaningful information. You’re making the hidden gems of your collection (and your expertise) visible. And you’re meeting people’s learning needs in a personalized, direct way.
This idea repositions libraries as local information consultants—a powerful shift. Instead of passive collections, you’re offering active expertise. It’s a smart pivot that doesn’t just open up new revenue; it cements the library’s place as a go-to source in a world flooded with noise.
Imagine this: it’s a sunny Saturday. The park is buzzing. There’s a food truck, a live band playing acoustic covers of 2000s hits, and smack in the middle of it all? A tent with your library's name on it, offering a mini pop-up experience—books for checkout, library swag for sale, and maybe even a storytime or local author meet-and-greet.
Sound fun? It is. But it’s also a smart revenue move.
Library Pop-Ups take the show on the road. You’re meeting your community where they already are—farmer's markets, festivals, block parties, you name it. And while you're there, you’re making money (yes, libraries are allowed to do that).
Sell branded merch (that you bought with donated money): mugs, totes, tees, bookmarks, etc.
Offer “donate to help” opportunities or premium library card upgrades.
Host raffles or mini silent auctions with donated items from local businesses.
Feature a “Buy a Book, Support the Library” table with donated or withdrawn books. You could even have a 1-room bookstore in your library to make some money from books you no longer want to keep in your collection.
Set up a donation station with mobile payment options (again, Venmo).
Create a book-drive drive-thru that makes it easy for people to donate books and funds to your library.
Now here's where the goats come in. (What goats?) Partner with a local farm or petting zoo for a “Goats & Books” day. (Yes, this is a thing. Don't ask us why.) People will come specifically for the photo ops, and while they’re there, they’re interacting with your staff, your programs, and your donation links.
Same idea with yoga studios (Library Yoga in the Park), art collectives (Paint & Donate), or breweries (Books & Brews Night). These partner-powered fundraisers are low-cost, high-engagement, and built on mutual benefit. Your partners get exposure and foot traffic. And you get visibility, goodwill, and some seriously fun fundraising.
These pop-ups and partnerships bring the library into new spaces and new minds. They shift the perception from “that quiet place with books” to “that fun, engaged, community-powered place that shows up for us.” Plus, they build relationships that can turn into future grants, donations, and long-term support.
Let’s be honest: your staff is already helping people set up email, recover lost passwords, and figure out how to use Zoom for the fifth time. You might even have a patron who comes in every Tuesday just to ask how to update their apps (we see you, Carl). But what if you formalized that help and charged a little for it?
Tech Tutoring & Digital Skills Labs turn those everyday tech help sessions into structured, revenue-generating services. Think one-on-one tech tutoring sessions, small-group digital workshops, and on-demand “ask a tech” hours.
You already have the space, the devices, and the human expertise—now you just package it into something people are willing to pay a small fee for.
Here's how it could look:
One-on-one 30-minute tutoring sessions: Help with smartphones, tablets, laptops, or anything digital.
Weekly workshops: Topics like “Intro to Google Drive,” “Using Telehealth Tools,” or “Job Hunting Online.”
Quarterly Meet with the Expert: Technology specialists from partner companies (like Microcenter, Apple, or Best Buy) can visit to discuss a tech subject and conduct a Q&A session.
This service can especially benefit older adults, job seekers, small business owners, and students. Or anyone else who’s ever muttered, “I hate computers” under their breath.
People still need to print. It’s 2025. We all live on the cloud. And yet people still walk into your library needing to print a boarding pass, scan their ID, print homeschool curriculum, or fax something to their doctor (yes, fax still exists, barely). So why not embrace it and monetize it?
Fee-for-Convenience Services are things your library is already doing (or could easily do), but with a structured, clearly communicated fee system that helps cover costs and even generate a little bit of revenue.
You don’t need to become Kinko’s 2.0, but you can offer helpful, low-cost services that meet real community needs and bring in a steady trickle of revenue.
What it takes to pull it off:
A reliable printer/copier/scanner setup
Clear signage and posted pricing (transparency = fewer complaints)
Optional: a shredder, laminator, or mailing scale for extra offerings
These services directly support access to education, employment, healthcare, and civic engagement. When someone prints out a job application or start-up business documents at your library, you're providing convenience and supporting their next big life step.
It’s deceptively simple. This idea doesn’t require flashy new tech or extra programming. It just asks you to look at what you’re already doing and find ways to do it smarter, more efficiently, and in a way that brings value back into your budget.
If you’ve made it this far, give yourself a gold star (or, more realistically, a second cup of coffee). We’ve just walked through a whole buffet of revenue-generating ideas—some classic, some creative, some that might make you say, “Wait… we can do that!”
But you don’t have to do everything.
You just need to pick a few ideas that make sense for your community, your team, and your resources. Start with a low-effort win. Pilot a program. Try one small fee-based service. Test. Learn. Tweak. Scale.
Because generating revenue doesn’t mean “selling out.” It means finding smart ways to fund the free stuff. It means keeping the lights on and keeping the mission alive. It means telling your story in a new way. One that shows the library isn’t just surviving—it’s adapting, thriving, and even generating its own income.
Talk with your team. Bring ideas to your board. Loop in your friend group or local partners. Share this post with your staff and ask: “Which two could we try this year?” (You’ll be surprised what bubbles up.)
Your community needs a library that’s resourceful and resilient.
And if anyone asks why the library is charging for passport photos or renting out meeting rooms, just smile and say: “Because we’re investing in the future of free programs.” So go ahead—rethink your resources. Expand your offerings. Monetize what you already do so well.
Or leave some more ideas in the comments below!