Libraries Mean Business
St. Louis County Library, Mo.
Innovation Synopsis
St. Louis County Library trains aspiring entrepreneurs to use the resources provided by the library to learn needed skills, conduct industry research, write their business plan, find customers, research competitors and choose the best location for their businesses. We do all of this in a supportive and encouraging setting.
Challenge/Opportunity
Aspiring entrepreneurs need access to industry reports, business plans, research on potential customers and competitors. It could cost them thousands to obtain this information on their own and, as a result, people with excellent ideas were prevented from starting their own businesses. Entrepreneurs also need guidance on the process of starting and running a business. They expressed interest in meeting others going through the process and receiving advice from community experts on business-related topics.
Key Elements of Innovation
The library conducted research to identify the most reputable resources for aspiring entrepreneurs. We now provide access to over a dozen small business-related databases, providing: • Industry research needed for business plans • 700 completed business plans • Demographics, statistics and sales projections • Access to new skills and refresher courses
The library also devotes staff to train patrons on using the databases with our Book a Librarian service.
Achieved Outcomes
We identified underserved communities and reach out to the nonprofits serving them to promote the library’s resources. One 12-year-old attended the Small Business Expo to learn how to grow her pillow-making business. She’s using the proceeds from her business to help with parochial school tuition and a college fund. This program has won two local awards: Entrepreneur Champion Award from the Grace Hill Women’s Business Center and Community Outreach Award from the Town and Country/Frontenac Chamber of Commerce.