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Library System of Lancaster County

EIN 23-2495408 · Lancaster, PA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE RESOURCES, SERVICES, AND EXPERTISE IN A COLLABORATIVE MANNER TO AND WITH THE MEMBER LIBRARIES IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES

Income
$5.4 million
Spending
$5.0 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 90%
Employees
29
Highest pay
$128,913, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $4.5 million spent. TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING NETWORK OF SUPPORT SERVICES TO 14 MEMBER PUBLIC LIBRARIES ON THE LANCASTER COUNTY SYSTEM, WHICH SERVES OVER 545,000 RESIDENTS. THE NETWORK OF SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE COLLECTION SERVICES, IT EQUIPMENT SUPPORT, PROVIDING YOUTH AND BUSINESS SPECIAL PROGRAMS, PROMOTING SERVICES AND PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 218,500 COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH LIBRARY CARDS WITH OVER 3,995,000 ITEMS BEING CHECKED OUT EACH YEAR. THE ONLINE CATALOG WHICH THE LIBRARY SYSTEM MAINTAINS INCLUDES OVER 939,900 LIBRARY HOLDINGS THAT ARE SHARED THROUGHOUTTHE COUNTY. THE LANCASTER COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM DATABASES ARE ACCESSEED REMOTELY FROM HOMES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS OR WORK. DIRECT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED VIA AN EFFECTIVE NETWORK OF TECHNOLOGY, FACILITIES AND RESOURCES TO MEET THE INFORMATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND RECREATIONAL NEEDS OF ALL OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY. THE LIBRARY SYSTEM ENSURES THAT A NETWORK OF SUPPORT SERVICES IS PROVIDED TO MEMBER LIBRARIES. TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING NETWORK OF SUPPORT SERVICES TO 14 MEMBER PUBLIC LIBRARIES ON THE LANCASTER COUNTY SYSTEM, WHICH SERVES OVER 545,000 RESIDENTS. THE NETWORK OF SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE COLLECTION SERVICES, IT EQUIPMENT SUPPORT, PROVIDING YOUTH AND BUSINESS SPECIAL PROGRAMS, PROMOTING SERVICES AND PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 218,500 COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH LIBRARY CARDS WITH OVER 3,995,000 ITEMS BEING CHECKED OUT EACH YEAR. THE ONLINE CATALOG WHICH THE LIBRARY SYSTEM MAINTAINS INCLUDES OVER 939,900 LIBRARY HOLDINGS THAT ARE SHARED THROUGHOUTTHE COUNTY. THE LANCASTER COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM DATABASES ARE ACCESSEED REMOTELY FROM HOMES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS OR WORK. DIRECT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED VIA AN EFFECTIVE NETWORK OF TECHNOLOGY, FACILITIES AND RESOURCES TO MEET THE INFORMATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND RECREATIONAL NEEDS OF ALL OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY. THE LIBRARY SYSTEM ENSURES THAT A NETWORK OF SUPPORT SERVICES IS PROVIDED TO MEMBER LIBRARIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1988.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.