By Slone Williams, Community and User Engagement (CUE) Division Manager, Cobb County Public Library
From Concept to Conversion: Building a Profitable, Multi-Channel Library Shop from the Ground Up
In the modern library landscape, the gap between innovation and funding is often bridged by entrepreneurship. In April 2025, Slone Williams, Community and User Engagement (CUE) Division Manager at Cobb County Public Library, proposed a sustainable funding mechanism to the Cobb Library Foundation: The Cobb Library Shop. This permanent, virtual storefront moved library fundraising into the realm of modern e-commerce.
Building a Digital Infrastructure
Acting as lead developer and technical architect, Williams built the Shopify-based storefront with a lean "startup" budget of just $670. To maximize visibility, she engineered an omnichannel strategy, integrating the shop across Meta Shops, the Shop App, Google Merchant, and YouTube. Today, the store features over 80 products with profit margins between 20% and 60%, ensuring accessibility for all community members.
A Collaborative Creative Engine
The shop’s identity was a team effort. Cobb Library’s lead graphic designer, Katherine Zavala, and North Cobb Branch Manager Kristin Gwin, translated library concepts into fashion-forward illustrations alongside Williams, to ensure designs resonated with daily patrons.
The marketing launch showcased internal talent. Williams produced a promotional video featuring seven staff ambassadors and a custom jingle created by the Sewell Mill Library Creative Suite team. This professional collaboration—featuring instrumentals by Jay Morgan and vocals by Matthew Cesari—established a unique sonic brand identity.
Strategic Storytelling & Collections
The shop’s success is rooted in diverse, themed collections:
This month, the "Support the Stacks" collection will launch to cross-promote the library’s bi-annual book sale, bridging legacy fundraising with digital retail.
Proven Results and Future Growth
Launched on December 3, 2025, the shop achieved a full Return on Investment (ROI) within 14 days. It has since moved into four-digit profit territory. To maintain the library’s commitment to inclusivity, all apparel is unisex.
Looking ahead, the CUE team is launching a public campaign in March, inviting supporters to submit designs for the Spring/Summer Collection via a Community Design Portal.
A Personal Mission
The shop’s success stems from Williams’ expertise as co-owner of the e-commerce brand Slone x Mattie. By transferring private-sector technical skills to public service, she created a model where brand pride finances outreach.
Cobb County Public Library is now the first system in Georgia to scale a multi-channel e-commerce brand of this magnitude. Every dollar earned flows back into library materials, programming, and community outreach, proving that entrepreneurial grit can fuel the future of literacy.
“I am deeply proud to see this vision thrive, bridging government experience and entrepreneurship to create a sustainable future for fundraising,” said Williams.
Visit the shop and support the community through every purchase: cobblibrary.shop
To learn more about the Cobb County Public Library, go to https://www.cobbcounty.gov/library.
