Creating an Entrepreneur-Friendly Public Library
By Christine Hamilton-Pennell
Updated May 2011
Introduction
Creating a public library that is welcoming to entrepreneurs is not so different from creating a library that is friendly to other groups of customers. If you currently reach out to teenagers, job seekers, or other groups that have not traditionally used the public library, then you already know something about how to do it!
To target a particular group of customers, you make sure you know what they want and need. You learn about their characteristics and how they behave. Ideally, you survey your potential customer groups and go out into their communities and meet them face-to-face. You create partnerships with other groups that serve that population, for example, schools, workforce centers and community groups. After you know their needs, you provide the resources and services to meet those needs - when and how they want to receive them. Then you reach out to your target audiences and let them know what you have to offer.
The business community is no different. Most public libraries outside of large metropolitan areas have not made entrepreneurs and the business community a priority for their services. Likewise, reference librarians have not typically done direct research for small businesses. They assume that their job is to provide print and online business resources, point people to the resources they need, show them how to use them, and let them do their own research. These are all good things, but I would argue that it's not enough.
Working closely with the business community may seem like a daunting task if you haven't done it before, but we'll provide some tips to help you get started. We'll also look at some examples of public libraries that are successfully serving the business community.
Why Should My Library Support Entrepreneurs?
First, let's provide a definition. Entrepreneurs are people who see an opportunity, and create and grow an organization to pursue it. This encompasses entrepreneurs who create a for-profit enterprise, and those referred to as "social entrepreneurs," who create an organization primarily dedicated to the public good. For our purposes, we will use the term "entrepreneur" interchangeably with "business owner."
Why should public libraries choose the small business community as a target for their efforts? Here are some thoughts:
- Libraries are already part of the economy. Library buildings require the services of local businesses to keep their operations running. They purchase supplies and materials, and they employ local residents, who then spend their money on local goods and services. Libraries are often the cornerstone of local economic and community development efforts.
- Local businesses generate the tax revenues that support public libraries, either directly through payment of business, property and sales taxes, or indirectly by employing local residents who then pay taxes to support libraries. When business revenues go down, as in a recession, then tax revenues also go down, affecting public library budgets.
- Businesses can be more successful if they have the information and insights they need to make good decisions and become more competitive. Libraries can help provide this information.
- Quality workers and a trained workforce are keys to business success. Libraries can support the needs of the current workforce as well as helping the future workforce gain the skills they need to find and keep good jobs.*
- Small businesses have profound economic impact in a community. More than 97 percent of all businesses have fewer than 20 employees, yet they create 60 to 80 percent of all new jobs. Half of all businesses with fewer than 500 employees are home-based.
- Businesses have assets and influence they can provide to the library. If libraries understand and respond to the needs of the local business community, business owners in turn will be more likely to support their local public library.
*A note about workforce issues. Many libraries have found themselves inundated with job seekers needing help with online applications, resumes, and finding jobs. Librarians have become de facto career counselors, and often work closely with local workforce centers. While this population is unquestionably an important one during this time of unemployment and recession, it is equally important to provide services to the small business community. Think of it this way: if businesses are not successful, there will be no jobs for the job seekers. Putting energy into helping local entrepreneurs grow their businesses will make it much more likely that new jobs will be created in your community.