4. GREAT LIBRARIES BUILD CAPACITY FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
More and more libraries fill important needs for employers, jobseekers, and consumers. They play a crucial “think tank” role for local start-up businesses and community development advocates, helping them acquire entrepreneurial skills and discover methods of raising capital. For people seeking work or taking on career changes, libraries connect them to employers and specialized job training. For the consumer, libraries may provide up-to-date information about the best businesses to patronize in their area.
At the Johnson County Public Library in Kansas City, Kansas (left), workshops complement a business book series and access to online databases. The library’s thorough range of services–from recommending useful books to hands-on coursework–provides resources for all kinds of small-scale entrepreneurs.