1. Libraries Supporting Entrepreneurship
Priya Rathnam, Shrewsbury Public Library
krosslink.org

2. How can libraries help entrepreneurs?
Resources
Meeting rooms for networking
Group Study rooms
Quiet space
Computers and Wifi

4. (DONNA) Add a the graphic
Krosslink’s mission
Partner with Libraries
Facilitate networking
Nurture entrepreneurs
Connect & Create
Libraries
(DONNA)
Add a the graphic
PARTNERS with Libraries to PROVIDE a proven replicable program to nurture aspiring entrepreneurs to Connect & Create.

5. A Typical Meeting Networking & Pizza- 6:30-7 PM
Brief introductions/elevator speech
Bar-stool pitch
(Or) Mastermind Session
(Or) A semi-formal presentation
PRIYA INVITES

6. Networking

7. speakers panel

8. group discussion at last month’s meeting

9. Libraries Bring .. Help .. Shrewsbury Westborough Southborough Sutton
Community members
Volunteer mentors (SCORE)
Business owners
Town officials
Help ..
Entrepreneurs bring ideas to life
Shrewsbury
Westborough
Southborough
Sutton
Reading
Springfield
Southbridge

10. Worcester SCORE Chapter
SCORE’s mission since 1964: to help aspiring and existing small businesses succeed by free, experienced mentoring.
13,000+ volunteers across U.S. chapters.
SCORE Mentors
Worcester SCORE Chapter

11. Marion Buricatu Artist, teacher, speaker
Entrepreneurs
Marion Buricatu
Artist, teacher, speaker

12. Who do we invite as speakers?
Patrons who are business owners
Bricks and mortar businesses
People you might meet in other forums
Who do we invite as speakers?
Crowdsourcing

13. Marketing Library website/calendar/blog startupgreenhouse.blogspot.com
Flyers in local business centers
Chamber of Commerce
Local politicians
Meetup.com
Local schools/colleges - club
Facebook groups
Marketing

14. Government officials

15. Library day at Massachusetts state house
John Palfrey
Library day at Massachusetts state house

16. Working as TEAM

17. Future Starter Kit Pitch Material Newsletter & More
Sample page of starter, pithch and news letter

18. Subscribe to Our NewsletterOr
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19. Small Business Outreach at the Public Library
Jackie Dzugan
Business Librarian
Worcester Public Library
3 Salem Square
Worcester, MA 01608

20. Small Business Outreach at the Worcester Public Library
There are many approaches to developing a successful outreach component to support small business.
What you develop will depend upon the needs of business owners and entrepreneurs , the range of resources available at your library, as well as your engagement with other resources in the community that are focused on supporting small business development.
As with any outreach effort, it will most likely evolve and change over time as you assess what works and learn more about the people who are working to establish small business’s in the community.

21. Working with Partners
At the Worcester Public Library we take several approaches to outreach -
The library is a member of the Worcester Business Resource Alliance (WBRA), a networking group consisting of a broad array of members including the City of Worcester Business & Community Development Division, Worcester Idea Lab, The Venture Forum, Worcester Clean Tech Incubator, Ascentria Care Alliance, SCORE, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Center for Women & Enterprise, SMOC Financial Services, Clark University, just to name a few of the 21 organizations that support business development in and around Worcester.

22. The Library’s Role in WBRA
The library hosts the monthly meeting.
Members of the group discuss programs or services offered to those interested in starting a business – a perfect networking opportunity!
Our participation in the group helps the library maintain a profile and visible role with these key participants in the business community.
These partners know they can refer people they are assisting to the library for help with research and finding information essential to the success of their business.

23. WBRA: A Network for Information and Referral

24. SCORE Small Business Counseling
The library hosts on-site SCORE small business counseling one evening monthly.
These appointments are very popular and fill up quickly.
This valued partnership ensures easy referral for those taking part in these sessions to library business resources and to our one-on-one sessions for research assistance by the business librarian.

25. One-on-One Appointments for Business Research
One-on-one appointments are offered two evenings per month and can be booked online. Additional appointments are made depending on need.
One-on-one appointments provide an opportunity for guidance and learning how the small business collection and databases can utilized.
Research assistance is provided.

26. Small Business Workshop Series
Steps to Starting a Business – Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE). Also offered by the City of Worcester Business and Community Development Division.
Business Plan Basics – Center for Women & Enterprise and the library.

27. Small Business Workshop Series
Small Business Administration programs – “Rock Your Business with Government Contracting”, etc.
City of Worcester – contracting opportunities.
Employing technology with the Google mapping platform.

28. End Notes There are many approaches to outreach.
Network with local partners if possible.
Learn from others.
Be flexible and adapt – a great trait of librarians!