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A Mission to Serve: what libraries are doing to support local Economic Development

Discover how public libraries play a crucial role in local economic development efforts. Learn about Alamance County Public Libraries' initiatives, partnerships with economic development agencies, and resources provided for businesses. Explore the impact of business librarians in North Carolina and their collaboration with chambers of commerce. Engage in workshops on market research tools and gain insights on meeting the information needs of the business community to support economic growth. Join the mission to serve and contribute to the success of local economies!

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A Mission to Serve: what libraries are doing to support local Economic Development

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  1. A Mission to Serve: what libraries are doing to support local Economic Development Sara Thynne – Alamance County Public Libraries Dan Maynard – Campbell University Nina Exner – NC A&T State University Jill Morris – NC Live

  2. Why do public Libraries need to be Involved with local economic development? • Public libraries are natural partners in local economic development efforts. • Libraries depend on a solid tax base to operate; vested interest in economic development • Library = Vital Participant in the economic well-being of the community rather than merely providing “quality of life” factors.

  3. What is ACPL Doing to help with Local Economic Development?

  4. Creating Partnerships & Outreach • Economic Development Agency (Burlington Downtown Corporation) • Local Chamber of Commerce (Alamance Chamber of Commerce) • Workforce Development Agencies(Job Link) • Small Business Center (Alamance Community College) • Local University (Elon University) • Small Business Incubator(The Well) • SCORE • Civic Groups (Kiwanis, Rotary, Civitans) • BIZ Groups (Alamance Leads)

  5. What information does your business community need? • HOW TO START A SMALL BUSINESS • DEMOGRAPHIC DATA FOR MARKETING RESEARCH • LISTS OF SUPPLIERS OR BUYERS • LEGASLATIVE AND REGULATORY INFORMATION • INDUSTRY TRENDS/ STATISTICS • COMPETITORS • AVENUES FOR MARKETING PRODUCTS/ SERVICES • LEGAL INFO • ECONOMIC INDICATORS • NEWS AND TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLES

  6. Business Librarians in NC • GOAL: To develop a partnership with local Chamber of Commercedepartments in NC counties. • Action: Created a workshop called, “Marketing Research at Your Fingertips” to demonstrate how to find market research using the free business databases on NCLIVE.org • ReferenceUSA • Business Source Premier • Simply Map

  7. feedback • Participants found the workshop extremely useful • Great marketing tools • Increased awareness of library resources • Chamber of Commerce benefits = libraries benefit • Business owners “talk up” library’s resources in the community. • Decreased barrier for entry and growth • Prefer hands-on experience using library resources • Received feedback on information needs - plan more workshops based on those needs

  8. Finally….. • Find out what your business community needs (formally or informally) • Plan targeted services and programs based on those needs • Assisting local economic development efforts in any capacity, large or small, is essential to everyone’s success.

  9. Thank you! Questions? Sara Thynne Reference Librarian Alamance County Public Libraries sthynne@alamancelibraries.org

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