The Trifecta of Business Tools: How Libraries Can Empower Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

• How libraries can strengthen support for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community members with reliable business and legal resources.
• The types of information that help patrons draft business plans, analyze market trends, manage operations, and navigate common legal challenges.
• Ways to showcase these resources through programming such as business workshops, legal literacy sessions, and one-on-one research consultations.

Public libraries are hubs of information and innovation, offering essential resources that fuel personal and professional growth. Today, they are increasingly important in supporting entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community members with legal information needs. Whether someone is drafting a business plan, analyzing market trends or navigating a contract, libraries connect them with reliable business databases, small business resources, and trusted legal information tools that can inform decision-making and pave the way for success.

Why Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners Turn to Libraries

Anyone launching or managing a small business requires access to high-quality information. Entrepreneurs need credible data on industries, competitors and consumer behavior to build effective business strategies. They also need practical tools — such as sample business plans, marketing ideas and financial management tips — to help them transform their ideas into thriving enterprises.

For many, libraries are the only free and accessible source of this information. Public librarians provide pathways to resources that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive, ensuring that business owners at every stage — from start-ups to seasoned entrepreneurs — can make informed decisions backed by authoritative research.

Meeting Legal Information Needs in the Community

Legal challenges often emerge in business operations, whether business owners are drafting contracts, understanding intellectual property, or navigating employment laws. Outside of business, community members frequently seek legal information about everyday concerns such as landlord-tenant disputes, wills or family law.

Libraries can bridge this gap by offering reliable, easy-to-understand resources that empower patrons to take their next steps with confidence. While these tools do not replace professional legal counsel, they provide a foundation for individuals to understand their rights and responsibilities.

The Trifecta of Business Tools for Libraries

Public libraries looking to augment their business collections can consider three powerful databases from EBSCO: Business Source Ultimate, Small Business Source, and Legal Information Source. Together, these resources help libraries deliver unparalleled support for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community members seeking legal guidance.

• Business Source Ultimate offers comprehensive company and industry profiles, detailed market research reports, financial data, and peer-reviewed journals. These resources are invaluable for patrons conducting feasibility studies, refining business strategies, or seeking data-driven insights.
   
• Small Business Source delivers hands-on, practical resources for small business development. What sets it apart is its inclusion of trusted Nolo guides, which break down complex topics into approachable, actionable advice. From step-by-step instructions on writing a business plan to guidance on marketing and hiring, this database is a go-to resource for budding entrepreneurs and established business owners alike.