Growing Libraries Press Release 2025-05-14

PRESS RELEASE

Contact Information

Growing Libraries, LLC
Ian Downie, CEO
media@growinglibraries.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Growing Libraries Launches New Service to Help Public Libraries Boost Cardholder Numbers.

Dover, DE – May 14, 2025 – Growing Libraries has announced the launch of its new SaaS platform, designed to help U.S. public libraries analyze their communities demographically and precisely target non-cardholding households via email and direct mail.

Founded by industry veterans Ian Downie and Alan Gibson, known for leading innovative library software companies such as collectionHQ and Patron Point, Growing Libraries aims to help libraries grow their membership and strengthen their impact.

"Libraries are always looking for new ways to reach more people, and we’re thrilled to provide a solution that helps them do just that," said Ian Downie, CEO of Growing Libraries. "Our solution gives libraries the insights and tools they need to connect with non-cardholding households and bring more people through their doors."

Downie added, "We know that targeted messaging delivers the best results. Rather than sending a generic message to the entire community, our platform enables libraries to reach the right households with the right messages."

Steve Laird, President of Data Axle Reference Solutions, shared his excitement about the collaboration: “We’re thrilled to see our data empowering libraries to connect with new patrons in such a thoughtful and strategic way. Growing Libraries is making it easier than ever for libraries to grow their influence and better serve their communities—exactly the kind of impact we strive to support.”

Growing Libraries will officially launch at the ALA Annual Conference 2025 in Philadelphia this June, where the team has planned a number of special launch events. If you’re attending ALA, visit Booth 2208 to meet the team. For more information, to request a quote, or to schedule a demo, please visit www.growinglibraries.com

About Growing Libraries

Growing Libraries™ helps U.S. public libraries expand their reach and impact by increasing cardholder registrations. We believe that when libraries grow, so do the communities they serve.

Our innovative SaaS platform empowers libraries to create data-driven outreach campaigns that grow their membership.

Our Community Insight™ tools provide powerful demographic insights into the community, identifying and segmenting non-cardholding households, enabling high-precision targeting to drive cardholder growth. Using our Growth Programs™, libraries can engage these households with personalized and optimized outreach messaging via email or direct mail campaigns and track progress within the platform. Our CI-Sync™ connector integrates seamlessly with both the library’s ILS and our community data sources, allowing real-time updates of the platform.

For more information, please visit www.growinglibraries.com

About Data Axle

Data Axle is a leading provider of data and marketing solutions, trusted by organizations to deliver accurate, actionable information that drives outreach, engagement, and measurable growth. As part of that mission, Reference Solutions—one of Data Axle’s flagship products—empowers public libraries with trusted access to business and consumer data. From supporting job seekers and small business owners to enabling targeted outreach and research, Reference Solutions helps libraries strengthen their role as vital community resources.