Who We Are

is committed to your story.

When we started in 1974, we set out to deliver service. Technology evolves and moves forward, and we understood that libraries would need an innovative partner who could not only develop and deploy that technology, but also remain committed to the support, maintenance, and service behind the products. Every library has its own story, and partnering with TLC moves the story along.

Everything we do, we do with librarians and patrons in mind. Our LibrarySolution and CARLSolution software platforms are built on mobility, flexibility, and operational efficiency. Each library management system is uniquely positioned to serve the needs of the individual library. As each story is different, each product provides the value, flexibility, and functionality to empower libraries to best serve their unique communities. We designed them to ensure that librarians and staff could spend more time on the things important to their library story without any extra hassle.

Our story includes collaboration with thought leaders. In the late 1990s, TLC partnered with Oracle to bring libraries the very best database structure. This twenty-year-long partnership with Oracle has now evolved into TLCCloud Services. Developed using Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), TLCCloud Services are a result of both organizations’ commitment to deliver high-performance enterprise technologies to the non-profit public sector.

TLC knows that your library story is going to expand and change. Our pledge to serve and work with librarians encouraged us to acquire Tech Logic, creators of the first automated materials handling system specifically designed for the library industry, to expand library capabilities. When makerspace and hardware products began to change the shape of libraries everywhere, we launched TLCSmartTECH to partner with manufacturers who share our vision of increased library engagement and ever-advancing library services.

We believe in providing the latest technology for your libraries and embrace a service mission that breaks through the software and hardware. We set ourselves apart by hiring librarians, learning from our customers, understanding and developing for library-specific workflows, and offering industry-leading support services. We will be there whenever you need us.

TLC delivers a superior line of products and services that are refined by collaborating with the people who really use them. Libraries and school districts who choose TLC are more than our customers; they’re our partners, and we write our story together.

Stability. Excellence. Unparalleled Service. We are TLC. Write your story with us.

Our Story

Today, we lead the charge to provide complete, seamless integration of eBooks and other digital resources directly into interfaces optimized for mobile touchscreen devices, utilizing the rich classification options afforded by the new RDA cataloging standard.

TLC offers attractive and easy-to-use software for our Integrated Library System customers. We also offer vendor-neutral access to SocialFlow for social media management, data services through ITSMARC, eBiblioFile, and RDAExpress.

Through Tech Logic we offer a full line of RFID, barcode self-check solutions, and automated material handling for any library worldwide. And through TLCSmartTECH, we offer a full line of librarian-approved and curated third party, interactive hardware solutions.

While the library landscape continues to change due to ongoing corporate mergers and acquisitions, TLC holds true. The Library Corporation is celebrating over 40 years of providing library services to all libraries, from single-site installations to the largest and busiest systems in the world. TLC has over 5,500 installed customers worldwide.

2021

TLC is awarded Service of the Year for TLC•Cloud Services and wins a Gold Modern Library Award for CARLConnect Discovery.

2020

TLC begins migrating customers into the cloud for the next generation of hosting services.

2019

TLC begins migrating customers into the cloud for the next generation of hosting services.

2018

TLC wins Platinum Modern Library Award and increases library integrations

2017

TLC announces the release of a powerful new cataloging tool

2016

TLC develops a Reports service for the modern library staff user.

2010s

TLC continues expansion, while optimizing web-based and mobile solutions with a focus on user-driven design, and furthering metadata innovation for a digital world.

2000s
TLC expands operations with two major acquisitions, new development in school and library services, and continual innovations in cataloging and web clients for public and school libraries.

1990s

TLC earns the accolade for “number one company in new automation sales” with the first native web-based PAC.

1980s

TLC is the first organization in the world to successfully apply CD-ROM technology to data storage.

1974

TLC is founded by the family that still owns and operates the company today.