developing stories, building communities
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DEVELOPING STORIES, BUILDING COMMUNITIES:
BPL’S SERVICES FOR YOUNGJOBSEEKERS AND ENTREPRENEURS
Presented by: March 2013
Kerwin PilgrimBrooklyn Public LibraryDirector of Adult Learning
“And public libraries are also serving as a lifeline for people trying to adapt to challenging economic circumstances, providing technology training and online resources for employment, access to government resources, continuing education, retooling for new careers and starting a small business. Libraries not only benefit their users individually. They also act as community hubs, bringing people together and connecting them to worlds beyond their communities. Libraries offer more than just books; they are community centers where everyone has access to programs and services that fuel lifelong learning.” Molly Raphael, 2011 President of the American Library Association
Outline
Introduction BPL Overview and Background Brooklyn Demographics Service Overview and Statistics Business and Workforce Development Youth Services Young Jobseekers Entrepreneurs
Center for an Urban Future’s “Branches of Opportunity”January 2013
According to a recent report published on New York City Libraries:
“One way or another, New York needs to better leverage its libraries if it is tobe economically competitive and remain a city of opportunity.”
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) Overview
BPL Overview Serves 2.5 million
residents of Brooklyn
5th largest public library in the US
60 locations with Central and Business & Career Library
Mission/Vision
Strategic Goals Education Access Culture Inclusion Space Stewardship
Service Overview
Circulation Print: Books and Periodicals Non-Print: Multi-Media (DVDs, Audio books, CDs) Digital: e-books, e-video, and e-audio
Programs Adults (including seniors) Young Adults (13 to 21) Children
Technology Computer Internet and Wireless Internet Laptops Databases
Business and Workforce Development
Business & Career Library Hub Location Comprehensive Collection
Education and job information Business and investment information Periodicals, serials, and newsletters
Online resources Popular Databases
Career Cruising (Career Assessment and Exploration) Learning Express Library (Test Preparation and Job Readiness) Reference USA (Market research) Plunkett (Industry Research) Morningstar (Investment Research) Small Business Resource Center (Sample business plans)
Electronic Services Email Reference Chat Reference Telephone Reference
Business and Workforce Development
One on One Services (provided by librarian staff) STEP one on one job readiness counseling Book a librarian one on one research help
Popular Workshops Resume writing and interviewing Starting a business and finding financing Computer Basics and Using Microsoft Word
Special Grant Programs PowerUP! Business Plan Competition Growing Dollars and $ense Financial Literacy education
Partnerships Workforce One job placement centers in two libraries Dept. Labor employment counseling and orientations (one on one) SCORE business counseling (one on one) Office of Financial Empowerment financial counseling (one on one) NELP legal business counseling (one on one) Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce monthly member meetings
Sample Business Programs
Marketing with New Technology Series: Email Marketing, Blogging,Crowdsourcing, Marketing with Mobile Apps, (198)
Start Smart Series: How to Start a Specialty Food Business; How to Start a Fashion Business; How to Start Day Care Business (185)
You Can Do It Too Entrepreneur Series: Success Stories from Brooklyn Business Owners (157)
Entrepreneur Expo: Meet & greet with business service and assistance providers; meet with business mentors. (175)
Legal Ease Series: Hiring Employees, Keeping Records, Paying Taxes (189) Using Google Tools to Grow your Business (160) Start Up Series: How to Start a Business, How to Start a Non-Profit (261) Tech Essentials with Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce (115) Financial Empowerment Fair (90_ Money Matters Series: Lenders’ Roundtable; Crowd Funding for Start Ups
(90) Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs with Neighborhood Entrepreneur
Law Project (87)
Outcome Story
“Start-Up Help at Your Local Library” Inc. Magazine.com June 3, 2010 Stacey Toussaint, President and CEO of Inside Out Tours, Inc. won $15,000 for having a first place plan to
launch a 'cultural tourism company, offering bus and walking tours of NYC, specializing in Brooklyn.' Toussaint said 'The goal of entering and winning the business plan competition gave us an incentive to take classes at BPL's Business Library and utilize Brooklyn's small business centers rather than just rely on our own resources. We received training in marketing, creating financial statements, and writing a business plan. We also made valuable connections with other competition participants that have resulted in strategic relationships.'
Runner up Elissa Olin, Founder & Owner of Green in BKLYN , an eco-friendly home goods & gift shop in Clinton Hill said 'The prize money was the most visible and recognized resource…. But an even longer lasting influence on the success of the business has been the media support and coverage. It gave us a leg up and created not only a buzz, but momentum, which has been instrumental in the success of the business in its first and, typically, most difficult year.' Sales [are] up…. more than 60% higher year-to-year.
"The Library Helped Me Start My Business“ Women’s Day March 15, 2008 The great thing about the Brooklyn Public Library Business Library is they not only sponsor this contest,
but also give valuable workshops on how to write your business plan, a workshop on the resources at the library, and provide lists of outside resources to help start your business. It is a one-stop shop….. The resources I found most helpful at the library were the ability to reserve business books online and conduct industry-specific research through the library's database, which also can be accessed from home with a library card and a pin code; the numerous workshops offered by professionals in subjects such as marketing, accounting, organization, time management, business plan basics; and last but not least, the valuable advice of the librarians.
Youth Services
Children and Family Services School Age Services Youth Adults
Asset Based Model based on Search Institute
And public libraries are also serving as a lifeline for people trying to adapt to challenging economic circumstances, providing technology training and online resources for employment, access to government resources, continuing education, retooling for new careers and starting a small business.
Libraries not only benefit their users individually. They also act as community hubs, bringing people together and connecting them to worlds beyond their communities. Libraries offer more than just books; they are community centers where everyone has access to programs and services that fuel lifelong learning.
CUF Report
One way or another, New York needs to better leverage its libraries if it is to
be economically competitive and remain a city of opportunity. P3
Finally, at a time when entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly important to the city’s economy, the libraries offer an array of useful resources for current and prospective business owners. Some branches, such as the Science and Business Library (SIBL) in Manhattan and the Business and Career Library (B&CL) in Brooklyn, provide free access to market research databases that would otherwise cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Many branches operate as de facto incubators, providing a regular home to hundreds of businesses. And the libraries consistently offer programs that connect would-be entrepreneurs with small business assistance experts and mentors. Indeed, at least 250 small businesses have been launched by clients that were advised at SIBL by mentors from SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives). p7
Young Jobseekers: A Snapshot
Census Data on youths in Brooklyn Statistics on youth unemployment Statistics on out of school youth Statistics on juvenile justice
Young Jobseekers
Employ youths Part timers/Pages Computer Aides City wide Summer Youth Employment Program
Programs Workshops-YA Ready
Online Resources Career Assessment Learning Express Library
Volunteer MIP Multicultural Internship Program T4 Today’s Teens., Tomorrow’s Techies
Internships