In support of this goal, the American Library Association’s Public Policy & Advocacy office (PPA), in partnership with Audrey Barbakoff from Co/lab Capacity, released the Libraries Build Business Communications Toolkit. The toolkit offers advice and materials for library workers to promote their small business support services, engage with policymakers and local government officials, and form and strengthen ties with local businesses and existing entrepreneur support structures. 

The Communications Toolkit identifies four major audiences to work with: small business support organizations, small business owners and entrepreneurs, policymakers and elected officials, and fellow library professionals. With effective communication with these key stakeholders, libraries may find opportunities to collaborate, grow the capacity of the business services the library can offer, build recognition among community members and institutions, and help the library obtain financial and social support. 

Addressing each of these four groups, the toolkit helps users with developing pitches, presentations, and talking points for meetings, in addition to resources that help library workers to take internal inventory and assess the impact of their programs. All materials in the toolkit, including presentations, flyers, and outreach guidelines, are easily customizable to fit the branding and messaging of the library. For smaller libraries especially, this toolkit helps to build capacity with ready-to-use materials that facilitate conversations and outreach.  

“All libraries, no matter their size or budget, can support aspiring and existing small business owners and entrepreneurs. Public libraries have a long history of fostering equitable economic development, small businesses, and entrepreneurship in their community.”  

The Communications Toolkit can be used by library professionals to broaden community perceptions on libraries and increase general awareness of what their library offers to prospective entrepreneurs. It can also be used to build upon and improve ties and relationships with other parts of their communities. Public libraries are uniquely positioned to fill this role as trusted and accessible institutions in every community. With many libraries already involved in supporting their local economy, the Communications Toolkit is a valuable resource for public libraries in any stage of developing small business support services. 

“This toolkit takes the best practices from libraries and their outreach programs and makes them available for every community to try,” stated Co/lab Capacity CEO Audrey Barbakoff. “We want to support library workers in communicating their amazing value, making new connections, and expanding relationships.” 

The Libraries Build Business Communications Toolkit is freely available for download here. Learn more about Libraries Build Business here: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/workforce/grant  

The post NEW Resource for Library Workers: The Libraries Build Business Communications Toolkit  first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

ALA’s Libraries Build Business and EBSCO are teaming up to co-sponsor the third annual ELC Pitch Competition, with $10,000 in prizes up for grabs! Submissions are now open through March 24^th. The five winners will receive free pitch consulting with consultant Jenn Hensel of ElePitch prior to pitch day as well as free peer mentoring from library colleagues to help develop their program post-competition.

The prizes are as follows:
1st place: $4,000
2nd place: $2,500
3rd place: $1,500
4th & 5th place (tie): $500
Audience choice award: $1,000 (added to that library’s prize)

An essential component of success for entrepreneurs is an entrepreneurial mindset – a set of skills that help people see and make the most of opportunities, learn from setbacks, and succeed in their endeavors, including critical thinking, creativity, and strong communication. Navigating risks and challenges and being open to feedback and rejection are also key to success.

To get started, a new business idea needs funding, and to get funding, you often need buy-in from your community or investors in the field. This means effectively communicating your idea and your goals to build support. A business pitch is a hallmark of any startup entrepreneur’s experience. Budding or aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their idea to investors to get funding, or to potential customers who would pay for your product or service to build a customer base, building enthusiasm about the business idea and confidence in its success.

In that spirit, adopt the entrepreneurial mindset for yourself, and pitch a library program, service, or resource that supports local economic development to a panel of judges and the audience at the ELC Pitch Competition!

To get in front of the judges and compete for prizes, submit a pitch. Public, school, special, and academic libraries from the United States and Canada are encouraged to apply. The focus of the competition is how a library can support local economic development, job hunters, workforce development, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and/or small businesses. For 2023, the ELC is particularly interested in pitches that focus on local equity issues or marginalized populations and communities.

Key dates:

February 15: Submissions open
February 16: “Pitch perfect” workshop (3-4:15pm Eastern via Zoom)
March 24: Submissions deadline
April 3: “Top five” libraries notified & connected with ELC pitch consultant Jenn Hensel for free consulting
May 4: Pitch competition (3-5pm Eastern via Zoom, open to all)

Check out the Pitch Workshop recording for strategies and inspiration in building your perfect pitch: considering your goals, perfecting your script, and presenting your ideas with confidence and enthusiasm. Consult the Libraries Build Business Playbook, a free resource collaboratively developed by 13 public libraries from around the United States, for promising practices and advice on building a quality program.

Beyond the competition and the potential to fund your business community, the Pitch Competition is an opportunity to meet other like-minded library workers interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development. Your pitch and your feedback will inspire others, and the goal is to stay connected as we learn and grow together. Regardless of the outcome of the competition, libraries can collaborate to cultivate ideas, share feedback, and improve their programs to the benefit of their business communities.

Check out the ELC webpage for more information, including policies and details about the mentoring program. Stay tuned for registration information to attend the Competition on May 4^th! Please reach out to any of the co-chairs for more information as you formulate your pitch.

• Angel Truesdale, UNC Charlotte: Angel.Truesdale@uncc.edu
• Megan Janicki, American Library Association: mjanicki@alawash.org
• Steve Cramer, UNC Greensboro: smcramer@uncg.edu

The post Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Mindset: Pitch Your Business Service Idea and Win Cash Prizes! first appeared on Public Libraries Online.