Norfolk Public Library has expanded its offerings to include three new startup business tools, available free to cardholders. These resources, available through the Roy E. Hendrix Business Center at Slover Library, were implemented to support local entrepreneurs and small business owners in the aftermath of COVID-19. These startup business tools, provided by Gale, a Cengage company, include Gale Business: Plan Builder, Gale Business: DemographicsNow, and Gale Business: Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs can use these tools to access business plans, news articles, and demographic information, as well as to create their own business plans. The services are designed to support both new business owners and those looking to grow their existing businesses. The resources can be accessed anytime via the Slover Library and Norfolk Public Library websites.
Introduction
Norfolk Public Library cardholders can now access three new business databases with free online planning tools and information to help entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve their goals. The new resources are available through the Roy E. Hendrix Business Center at Slover Library, located on the library’s third floor.
Background
Mr. Hendrix, a local businessman, property owner and manager, former instructor, civil servant, and military veteran recognized the need for a post-COVID-19 business hub. This led him to support the new business center at Slover Library, including these from Gale, a Cengage company.
Available Resources
Moving toward a post-pandemic economy, many Norfolk startups as well as experienced business owners simply don’t know what kind of information they need, where to find it, or how to get started. Now small businesses can take advantage of free business resources, including Gale Business: Plan Builder, Gale Business: DemographicsNow, and Gale Business: Entrepreneurship. They can be accessed through both the Slover Library and Norfolk Public Library websites.
Benefits for Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs will find business plans, reference works, news and magazine articles, and multimedia content within Gale Business: Entrepreneurship. Within Gale Business: Plan Builder they can take their newly discovered knowledge and develop their own real-world business plan using step-by-step instructions and can supplement their plans using the demographics of their area found within Gale Business: DemographicsNow.
Support for Small Business Owners
For anyone who is new to small business ownership, these resources provide a gradual introduction to entrepreneurial concepts. For more seasoned business owners, the focus shifts toward activities to support the management and growth of an operation, such as getting a loan, seeking investors, buying new equipment, or opening a new facility.
Accessing the Resources
New content is added daily so the latest information is never more than a click away. Small business owners and entrepreneurs need all the help they can get post-pandemic. Access to these new Gale business resources is like having experts on call 24 hours a day. Created by subject experts and a librarian advisory board, these online resources are designed for success. Norfolk Public Library digital cardholders can access Small Business Resource Center 24/7, on any device by visiting sloverlibrary.com or norfolkpubliclibrary.com. Library staff, including notaries, are available to assist by appointment only at SloverBiz@Norfolk.gov or (757)431- 7473.
Services Offered
Mission: To support local and regional business development by providing resources for people in all phases of the business cycle, from start-up to expansion to economic growth. Services: Copying, Printing, Scanning; Notary Public; Resource assistance & one-on-one appointments; Comprehensive collection of reference and digital resources
Question & Answer
What new startup business tools are available to Norfolk Public Library cardholders?
Cardholders can access three new startup business tools: Gale Business: Plan Builder, Gale Business: DemographicsNow, and Gale Business: Entrepreneurship.
What is the purpose of these new resources?
These resources were implemented to support local entrepreneurs and small business owners in the aftermath of COVID-19.
What can entrepreneurs find within Gale Business: Entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurs can find business plans, reference works, news and magazine articles, and multimedia content within Gale Business: Entrepreneurship.
How can small business owners access these resources?
Small business owners can access these resources through both the Slover Library and Norfolk Public Library websites.
