New Small Business and Nonprofit Workspace
Toledo Lucas County Public Library

Last week, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library opened its brand new Small Business and Nonprofit Workspace. Although the library has long offered assistance to people who are looking for answers to their new business questions, the new workspace consolidates those resources in one place and expands the hours that help is available.

“We’re not just about checking out books anymore,” said Lindsay Williams, a specialist librarian in TLCPL’s small business and nonprofit department. “We want to help small business owners and nonprofit professionals by connecting them with people who’ve done what our customers want to do. So instead of borrowing a book, you can talk to someone who has the experience and answers. Without us, they might have to rely on expensive consultants. It helps to have someone to assist people new to the business world as they work their way through all the vocabulary and acronyms.”

In addition to being a drop-in center, the new facility will offer various classes for new business professionals. Upcoming programs include presentations on how to develop a “one-year action plan for success” aimed at turning business goals into business realities and a program on how to use smartphones for product photography.

Read more from The Toledo Blade.

LevelUP Program Concludes Inaugural Year
Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library celebrated the culmination of the first year of its LevelUP program, designed to help Black women build wealth and advance professionally in career fields where they have typically had low representation. The first-year graduates who, after taking 50 hours of classes, are already participating in new jobs and opportunities, including one graduate who will be attending Yale University, according to a press release.

Black women continue to be disadvantaged in terms of wealth, earnings, and opportunity. Nationwide, a median Black household owns nearly 90% less wealth than the median white household and the gap is slightly larger for single Black women relative to single white men. In Brooklyn, more than 50% of the population live in low-to-moderate income households; over 50% are female, and nearly 30% are African American or Black, according to the press release.

Read the full article from BK Reader.

Assisting Renters Facing Eviction with New Partnership
Richmond Public Library

The Richmond Public Library and Virginia Poverty Law Center are launching a new partnership to help renters who may be facing eviction. The partnership will provide guided assistance using VPLC’s new Eviction Defense Center. The library says patrons often ask librarians for help understanding their options when facing eviction, and this program is reportedly aimed at expanding patrons’ accessibility to justice services.

The Eviction Defense Center is particularly aimed at helping people who can’t get direct help from their local Legal Aid program, according to a spokesperson. “It is designed to be simple to use on any smartphone or computer,” explained VPLC housing attorney Phil Storey, who heads the Eviction Defense Center. “But by making hands-on help and printing available at the library, the tool can serve more people with barriers to accessibility.”

Throughout the summer, librarians and organization staff will be available at certain times to help renters who need help getting online, navigating the Eviction Defense Center, or printing forms to take to court.

Read more from Richmond's WRIC News.

Boosting Quality Reading at Juvenile Detention Facilities
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library recently received a $21,500 grant designed to increase access to age-appropriate reading materials for incarcerated children and teens. The “If You Seed It, They Will Read It” project will provide the Shawnee County Juvenile Detention Center with new materials that are appropriate for the reading level and interests of youths. Librarians Alex Henault and Scarlett Fisher-Herreman (pictured) identified the need and applied for the grant.

The current library in the center consists only of donated used adult books, officials said.

"Through our project, we will support this hidden community of young readers with access to juvenile and young adult books,” said library chief executive officer Marie Pyko. “This project is a first step in building connections to youth who need and deserve access to high-quality library services and collections.”

Learn more from Topeka's WIBW13 News.