When Lexington Public Library staff worked to develop strategic goals for the coming year, one of the themes that quickly emerged was that of the Library as a “collaborative hub” for the community. Entrepreneurs were specifically identified as a group in need of relevant and timely resources that could benefit from the Library’s support. Staff realized that excellent entrepreneurial resources already existed but could be difficult to locate. By identifying and collecting the best of these in one, easily-accessible location, the Library could foster innovation and encourage collaboration with entrepreneurs and local organizations.

A small team was tasked with the responsibility of curating this collection of resources. They identified relevant subscription services available through the Library for both research and training. The catalog’s list-building feature was utilized to create interactive bibliographies of related print materials. Finally, the group compiled a select list of local, state, and national organizations providing services for entrepreneurs. The team worked with the Virtual Services Department to transform the collection into a portal on the Library website. The result was a thorough yet concise tool that could be easily accessed by anyone exploring the idea of starting a business.

The Business Resources Portal went live on December 17, 2015, and has received more than 600 visits. It has proven to be a useful aid not only for entrepreneurs, but for Library staff who are assisting them. It will also serve as a template for how Lexington Public Library can continue to combine traditional librarianship with technology to facilitate collaboration and meet community needs.