Communities across the country are pursuing a strategy known as economic gardening, which works to stimulate the development of small business with the goal of growing a healthy, community-scale economy. Libraries can be key players in supporting and facilitating their success. This free 30-minute webinars series on Aug. 17th, 24th and 31st will expand your thinking about the powerful connection. Your host for the series is Shelley Walchak, Library Community Programs Senior Consultant at the Colorado State Library.
Webinar 1: How to Make Your Library Entrepreneur-Friendly, Aug. 17th at 4:00 p.m.
Christine Hamilton-Pennell literally wrote the book. She is a proponent of libraries’ support for local entrepreneurs. Learn specific steps your library can take to connect with and support its local business community. If you’re at all intrigued by the concept of economic gardening, this webinar is a must-see. Hamilton-Pennell introduces the strategies and lays the groundwork for their practical application, which will be covered in the following two webinars.
During this first session with Christine Hamilton-Pennell you will:
1. Learn how important entrepreneurs and small businesses are to economic growth.
2. Hear case studies of several public libraries and librarians across the country that have developed successful initiatives to support local entrepreneurs.
3. Understand the traits and motivations of library staff who have successfully developed partnerships and service offerings with the local business community.
4. Identify specific steps your library can take to connect with and support your local business community.
Webinar 2: Turning Your Databases into Business for Your Customers, Aug. 24th at 4:00 p.m.
Your library may already have the tools at hand (or close by) to help stimulate economic development in your community and you don’t have to be a trained business reference librarian to use them. Presenters Terry Zarsky and Kathleen Rainwater will give a guided tour through the best databases for small business information.
During this second session, Terry Zarsky and Kathleen Rainwater will help you:
1. Identify the best business databases for each type of business question. Databases to be covered include Reference USA, Business Decision, All-in-One (EBSCO’s, which includes Business Source, MasterFile, Regional Business News, Newspaper Source) and Business Plans Handbook.
2. Locate libraries near you that have business databases available for use. A handout will cover all Colorado libraries with a website.
Webinar 3: Going to Your Customer – Outreach and Strategic Partnerships, Aug. 31st at 4:00 p.m.
How do you let the business community know that your library is primed and ready to help? Presenters Suzanne Kaller and Colbe Galston will talk about how to get the word out to Chambers of Commerce, small business development centers, community groups and government entities.
During this third session, Suzanne Kaller and Colbe Galston provide an overview and tips for how your library can:
1. Assist the business community it serves.
2. Create and implement a business outreach plan to a Chamber of Commerce, small business development center, community group or government entity.
To register for each webinar visit the WebJunction Events Calendar
