What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you think library? Chances are, it probably isn’t “small business resource.”

But why not? With its ever-growing list of digital database subscriptions, the library is, indeed, a valuable goldmine of information for entrepreneurs looking to gain a competitive edge.

To find out just how advantageous and easy it is for a small business owner to harness the library’s digital resources, CanadaOne talked to Catherine Sword, Stouffville Public Library’s Coordinator of Public Services, and Magdalena Vander Kooy, Area Manager for the Toronto Public Library.

We had two simple how-to questions for Sword and Vander Kooy: How can the library help? And how does a business owner use its digital resources?

Vander Kooy finds that many business people are surprised to learn just how much information they can access when they visit the library, especially if their last visit was when they were in school. Indeed, libraries have evolved dramatically, most notably in its increased availability of digital resources.

Beside the brick-and-mortar books, they also have access to many premium, subscription-based, online databases and directories for academic literature and reports, as well as digital archives of magazines and newspapers.

Best of all, they’re all free.

While individual libraries each choose what programs, databases and resources to offer, providing access to a variety of business resources is common. For example, with a library membership at the Toronto Public Library you can:

• Flip through a digital copy of The Economist on your computer to get an overview of the global economy;
• Browse the Gale’s Business and Economic Theory Collection (one of many online databases that your library will have subscribed to) to learn about new marketing and social media trends; and
• Attend a workshop to interact with successful entrepreneurs.

Access to highly focused databases

Libaries can help you with your business’ specific field as well.

Sword amazed a local physiotherapy clinic when she showed them a medical database with photos and videos of different muscles and injuries. The clinic was then able to share those media with their clients, without any extra costs to either party.

Offering business seminars

Libraries also conduct regular seminars to help improve your skills in using the resources.

Vander Kooy recalls how one Toronto Public Library session on research skills helped an owner of a local painting business look up neighbourhood data to find prospective new clients, and use targeted marketing to secure them.

The Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library recently partnered with six local partners, including the local Chamber of Commerce and CanadaOne.com to run a full day unconference in Stouffville, Ontario that facilitated business networking and knowledge sharing.

Most libraries publish a calendar of events, where you can learn about upcoming seminars that are being offered in your local community.

Unique, localized programs

Libraries also offer individual programs that are suited to their local community. For example, one unique offering that the Toronto Public Library initiated last month is an Entrepreneur in Residence program.

Their first Entrepreneur in Residence is Miriam Tuerk, an entrepreneur and business visionary with a proven track record of creating, selling and delivering innovative products and services that have shaped the technology landscape.

Through the library program, local entrepreneurs can apply for one-on-one consultations with Miriam to get advice on their business plan or idea. Details of how to apply are outlined on the library website.

Valuable support for small businesses

The bottom line is that libraries offer a vast variety of valuable resources—whether they be books, databases, or in-person expertise—that are sure to help any small business owner.

In the next issue of CanadaOne we will explain how you can take advantage of library databases, with power tips for how to make the most of your database searches.