Google: “13 Public Libraries Have Been Selected to Form Entrepreneurship Centers Across the Country, Focusing on Low-Income or Underrepresented Entrepreneurs”

From The Google Blog:

Today, as part of our longstanding support of the American Library Association (ALA), we’re announcing that 13 public libraries have been selected to form entrepreneurship centers across the country, focusing on low-income or underrepresented entrepreneurs.

These libraries will provide virtual and in-person services including workshops such as Business 101, English as a Second Language (ESL), Web Design, Marketing and Accounting. They will also provide one-on-one coaching to small business owners, secure access to specialized equipment and technology, plus help with promotion and marketing assistance, research, and tasks like navigating legal and business licenses and requirements.

Read the Complete Google Blog Post (approx. 580 words)

More From ALA:

Libraries Receiving Funding

• Appleton (Wisc.) Public Library
• Baltimore County (Md.) Public Library
• Broward County (Fla.) Public Library
• Ferguson (Mo.) Municipal Public Library
• Gwinnett County (Ga.) Public Library
• Independence (Ks.) Public Library
• Laramie County (Wy.) Library System
• Los Angeles (Cal.) Public Library
• Providence (R.I.) Public Library
• Richland (S.C.) Library
• Spokane County (Wash.) Library District
• Topsham (Me.) Public Library
• Yakama Nation Library (Wash.) 

The core objective of Libraries Build Business is to identify library-led entrepreneurship models that will best help low-income and/or underrepresented entrepreneurs to start and grow small businesses. The initiative aims to provide direct services to 15,000 people over the course of 18 months, during which the participating libraries will also develop:

A framework with common metrics to evaluate the progress and success of entrepreneurship programs;

A ‘playbook’ accessible to all libraries, based on initiative learnings and recommendations to better serve entrepreneurs from diverse communities; and 

A peer-learning network for librarians interested in developing or expanding entrepreneurship programs of their own.

Read the Complete ALA Statement

Filed under: Associations and Organizations, Funding, Libraries, News, Public Libraries