Aligning with recent news stories on difficult economic times, the authors target libraries endeavoring to assist users entering or already involved in the small business community. Small Business and the Public Library will help you reach out to this group of patrons with innovative programming ideas; easy to translate suggestions into day-to-day operations; and suggestions to helping clients become business literate on the Web, on paper, and out in the world of work. Whether patrons need resources to start their own business, search for a new job, or locate demographic statistics to help them market their existing product, this resource will help you answer questions and meet their needs.

Loaded with recommended practices for increasing engagement and developing courses and programs for business owners, professionals, and job seekers in the community, this book points the way towards making the library an integral part of the business community in ways that are realistic and sustainable.

This volume begins by defining the challenges that rural and small libraries face before shifting to an analysis of ways that these obstacles can be overcome or mitigated. The authors explore ideas for enhancing community partnerships and outreach by using rural and small public libraries as centers for local cultural heritage activities.

Includes subject area sections that describe all pertinent census data products available, i.e. "Business--trade and services", "Geography", "Transportation," etc.

A comprehensive look at contemporary trends and practices in public libraries Current Practices in Public Libraries combines research, surveys, and practical experience to examine a variety of trends, issues, and practices in public library administration. The leading researchers in the field explore vital contemporary topics ranging from literacy instruction and advocacy to ethical concerns in the acquisition of foreign language materials. This practical professional guide presents examples of successful programs at individual libraries as well as results of comprehensive national surveys about funding, computers and Internet access, and branch closures. Current Practices in Public Libraries presents an extensive look at advocacy, ethics, multicultural outreach, literacy training, marketing, and mentoring in today’s public libraries. This comprehensive resource examines a wide range of issues, including public library funding; contributing factors to the quality of public access computing and Internet services; the impact of public library closures; recent human rights violations in U.S. public libraries; supporting local small business development; how multiculturalism and automation can affect collection development and technical services; new leadership models; the use of marketing and advocacy to build and sustain support for public libraries; promoting family learning activities; and the case for small, independent libraries. Current Practices in Public Libraries explores: library funding library expenditures budget shortfalls fiscal planning Internet access and connectivity library siting library Bill of Rights entrepreneurs customization of library services targeted services acquisitions collection development and management outsourcing state library agencies and associations federal library programs and legislation government relations information literacy tutoring and much more Current Practices in Public Libraries is an essential resource for librarians and library administrators working in public and academic settings, and for library sciences faculty and students.