Economic development and job opportunities are concerns in most communities, and thriving small businesses are important to ensuring a community's economic health. Join the Small Business Information Center (SBIC) Librarian from the Cecil County Public Library (CCPL) to learn how your library can be a part of the formula for building and supporting a stronger local economy. You'll learn how CCPL has developed the SBIC since its inception in 2003, growing from a shelf of books to a personalized service, with examples and lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Find out how your library can be an excellent resource for aspiring and experienced business owners. This session will cover the basics of collection development, classes, marketing, partnerships and more. Hear how libraries are not only helping launch small businesses, but as these businesses continue to thrive, they are able to give back to the community. For an awe-inspiring example, watch this story of CCPL’s role in a local small business with global impact.

Presented by: Laura Metzler, Small Business Information Librarian, Cecil County Public Library (MD)

Access Recording

• View Webinar Recording (You will be prompted to log in to our free Course Catalog.)

Webinar Attachments

• View slides (pdf)
  
• View chat (xls)
• View captions (txt)
  
• Learner Guide (doc) Use alone or with others to extend your learning.

Related Resources and Links

• Cecil County Public Library (Recipient of IMLS 2015 National Medal for Museum and Library Service)
  
• Small Business Information Center
• Testimonials
• Video: Libraries Changing the World: From Cecil County Public Library to Mount Kilimanjaro
• The People’s Incubator: Libraries Propel Entrepreneurship (pdf) from ALA, Office for Information Technology Policy
• Kick Start Your Business Infographic
• Keys to Starting a Business in Cecil County Brochure (also available as Publisher file)
• Handout: Gale Courses for Small Business Owners (Publisher file)
  
• Start-Up Cecil: Teen Small Business Contest (YALSA program summary)
  
• About Cecil County Business Incubator plans
  
• On WebJunction
  
  • Workforce Services
    • 25 Ways Your Library Can Support the Small Business Community
    • Pathway for Small Business and Entrepreneurs
    • The Fairfield (CT) Public Library Means Business
    • Small Business Start-up Backpack
  • Leaving Fort Ref - Reaching Out with Reference (a course exploring how to raise awareness about and provide reference services relevant to local businesses and community members)
• Other libraries supporting small business development
  
  • Burlington County (NJ) Library System Business Gateway
  • Douglas County (CO) Libraries BizInfo
    
  • Farmington Area (IL) Public Library District Economic Development Resources
• Shared in Chat
  • Business support programs at Somerset County Library System (NJ) and example of monthly local column by librarian Cynthia Lambert 
    
  • Bplans.com
  • Entrepreneurship Resources from Hampton Roads' Workforce Development Board
  • SCORE
  • Yuma County Library District (AZ) created a project for library business outreach to house a library display in a location such as a Starbucks or other community business that directly serve community members (with a focus on Millennials). When they agree to house a display, we offer the business waived fees for meeting rooms and access to personal training using our computer lab.
    
  • Facebook group: Business Librarians
  • Meetup.com to reach out and schedule groups
  • Youtube video by Decatur Economic Development Corporation (IL) about how Decatur Public Library, Forsyth Public Library, and Mt. Zion Public Library (IL) joined forces to offer DemographicsNow
  • ALA Business Reference And Services Section (BRASS) and on Facebook
  • Greenville County Library System (SC) Business & Investing Resources LibGuide
  • Workforce Development at the Balch Springs Library - Learning Center