Libraries Build Business: The Library’s Role in the Small Business Ecosystem

Abstract

A thriving local economy is essential to a vibrant, diverse community. Libraries are important partners and leaders in the small business ecosystem, supporting economic opportunity and access. With resources, reference, programs, and more, libraries provide support to aspiring and existing small business owners and entrepreneurs. The two-year Libraries Build Business initiative (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/workforce/grant) of the American Library Association (ALA) partnered with a cohort of 13 public libraries in the United States, serving nearly 15,000 aspiring and existing small business owners. Leveraging tools and promising practices from the ALA’s Libraries Build Business initiative, including the Libraries Build Business Playbook, this poster presentation will share information and resources for library workers to engage small business owners, potential partners, and community support, ultimately building sustainable and customized small business and entrepreneurship programs. In order to sustain and grow programs and become visible to stakeholders in the community, libraries need stories of impact to illustrate their hard work. Consider innovative outreach strategies for working within the existing economic development infrastructure, building relationships and contacts to local stakeholders and decisionmakers, and championing both local entrepreneurs and the library.