Getting Down to Business

Librarian's Library by Araceli Mendez Hintermeister

In the dynamic landscape of modern entrepreneurship, libraries emerge as powerful allies. The books in this collection delve into why and how libraries can be pivotal in supporting local businesses. Explore how libraries can serve as economic incubators and build relationships in the process.

Libraries That Build Business: Advancing Small Business and Entrepreneurship in Public Libraries
Edited by Megan Janicki
Libraries are valuable allies for local entrepreneurs, breaking down barriers to technology and information access while fostering community connections. Drawing from ALA’s Libraries Build Business initiative, this book is divided into two parts. The first outlines strategies and considerations for building entrepreneurship programming and services catered to your community; the second considers examples from public libraries’ business development programs, featuring case studies of their business resource centers, mentorship programs, and marketing workshops. These materials will help library staffers better identify and address challenges and opportunities in their local business community. ALA Editions, 2022. 296 p. $64.99. PBK. 978-0-8389-3840-9.

People Powered: How Communities Can Supercharge Your Business, Brand, and Teams
By Jono Bacon
Bacon explores how successful companies have harnessed the expertise and influence of their communities to build an enthusiastic customer base ready to elevate and support their business. By asking readers to step into the business owner’s role, People Powered facilitates a deeper understanding of how to effectively interact with others, which can help generate ideas for marketing and even new products. Library workers will come away from this book with knowledge of how brands establish meaningful connections, hopefully leading to better patron engagement. HarperCollins Leadership, 2019. 320 p. $22.99. PBK. 978-1-4002-1491-4. (Also available as an ebook.)

Teaching Business Information Literacy
Edited by Genifer Snipes, Marlinda Karo, Ash E. Faulkner, and Lauren Reiter
The demand for academic libraries to support business information literacy is rising across college campuses. This book offers ways to fill those gaps, providing more than 40 classroom-proven lesson plans for librarians venturing into business research instruction and programming or looking to expand their skills. Readers will learn how to educate and empower students in various disciplines, including finance, entrepreneurship, data literacy, and technology integration. Each chapter provides background, preclass preparation, and adaptable activities, equipping library staffers with practical guidance for this evolving subject area.
ACRL, 2022. 412 p. $98. PBK. 978-0-8389-3909-3. (Also available as an ebook.)

Creating Fundable Grant Proposals: Profiles of Innovative Partnerships
By Bess G. de Farber
De Farber, a consultant and former academic library grant manager, channels her extensive experience overseeing nearly 200 grant projects, ranging from under $5,000 to more than $1 million. She provides insider strategies through a detailed 10-step workflow for grant proposals and covers necessities like understanding application guidelines, finding internal and external partners, and creating budgets. Though this title is about library grants, the tools and lessons gleaned from its success stories can be applied more generally, enabling staffers to better support business and nonprofit grant seekers who come through their doors. (Read an excerpt from AL’s Mar./Apr. 2022 issue). ALA Editions, 2021. 240 p. $64.99. PBK. 978-0-8389-4760-9.

Making Sense of Business Reference: A Guide for Librarians and Research Professionals, 2nd edition
By Celia Ross
This read expands on Ross’s first edition, published in 2012, delivering updated insights to acquaint readers with databases for business reference, company profiles, and consumer information. Offering best practices for tackling challenging reference questions, the core chapters educate on essential industry and consumer information categories, like investment research and marketing. The book also provides tips to help readers navigate vital resources like listservs, blogs, and government resources. The advice is relevant for supporting all types of pursuits—including nonprofits and international commerce— and will help reference librarians best serve an array of business students, job seekers, investors, and entrepreneurs. ALA Editions, 2019. 176 p. $59.99. PBK. 978-0-8389-1926-2. (Also available as an ebook.)

The Basics of Starting a Business: Proper Planning Prevents P!ss Poor Performance
By Julian Tansley
Tansley breaks down the need-to-knows for aspiring business owners. This book covers everything from crafting a business plan and mastering branding to sourcing capital. Thanks to its accessible tone and user-friendly content, readers will gain a deeper comprehension of various types of entrepreneurship. Library workers looking to support patrons and guide programming around their journeys will benefit from this title. Journey Together Publishing, 2023. 192 p. $9.99. PBK. 978-1-9169-8200-0. (Also available as an ebook.)

Latest Library Links

15h

“A new Taylor Swift album is always a big event on the internet, including fans carefully reading into every line for hidden meaning—a little like close reading poetry. But while Swifties have celebrated Taylor Swift’s lyricism from the beginning, no album invites comparisons to literature quite like The Tortured Poets Department, if just for the title. Already, outlets have been putting together reading lists to pair with each song on the album. Here are just a few to get you started.”

Book Riot, Apr. 22
20h

Chris Hoffman writes: “When I was younger, I was told ‘never use your real name on the internet.’ But the world has changed, and I don’t follow that advice anymore. Likewise, there’s a lot of well-meaning online security advice that has outlasted its usefulness. There’s a core of truth to each one of the security practices I criticize below, but you shouldn’t blindly follow these old tips. At best, you’ll be wasting your time. At worst, you’ll be putting yourself more at risk. Read on to learn more about the five outdated security practices you shouldn’t use anymore.”

PC World, Apr. 17
2d

Bobbi L. Newman writes: “This week, an article from the BBC caught my attention: ‘Without support, many menopausal workers are quitting their jobs.’ Supporting employees going through menopause is important for those experiencing it and for everyone’s wellbeing. It reflects a commitment to employee wellbeing and a strategic approach to workforce management. Libraries can adopt strategies to support employees experiencing menopause, enhancing their wellbeing and workplace productivity. Remember, with all wellbeing, the goal is to support and empower staff to make the choices that best improve their health. Here are some practical approaches.”

Librarian by Day, Apr. 19; BBC, Apr. 9
2d

Libraries have a long history of helping to deliver on a wide variety of development goals, from literacy and school readiness to research productivity and urban cohesion. Their unique potential has been recognized not just by the governments or others that traditionally fund them, but also by a range of other funders, private and public alike. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions has created a dataset to help librarians easily discover examples of private philanthropic grants, as well as other funding sources, that other libraries have been able to leverage.”

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Apr. 22
3d

Jackie Jennings writes: “It feels like the debate over whether #BookTok is bad has been raging since the moment the term was first coined. I’m starting off with a strong stance: BookTok is indeed bad. However, the problem with BookTok is not crappy books or bogus influencers. The problem with BookTok is TikTok itself. BookTok isn’t actually a community driven by fans, writers, influencers, or even publishers: it’s part of a social media corporation, controlled by the most mysterious, fickle god of all, the algorithm.” Not surprisingly, librarian recommendations can overcome some of BookTok’s limitations.

Jezebel, Apr. 18; Book Riot, Apr. 22
3d

ALA announced the launch of its state Intellectual Freedom Helpline grant program April 22. Over the next two years, 10 pilot program sites will operate a confidential reporting system that will help connect those experiencing censorship attempts with professional support, in-state peers, or referral to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, as appropriate. State or school library associations or agencies wishing to either establish an Intellectual Freedom Helpline in their state or expand existing efforts may apply for $10,000 grants through July 14.

ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, Apr. 22
3d

In celebration of the release of his latest nonfiction title, The Secret Lives of Booksellers & Librarians, bestselling author James Patterson is honoring select American Bookseller Association and American Library Association members with bonuses. He announced plans April 11 to give $200 each to 250 library workers across the country. The deadline for ALA members may nominate members to receive bonuses through April 30. Winners will be announced at ALA’s 2024 Annual Conference in San Diego.