Small Businesses &
the Alpha Park Public Library

Whether your business is established, you’re just getting started, or you’re thinking about starting a new business…The Alpha Park Public Library can help you get informed and stay connected.

Thanks in part to a Business & Libraries Grant received in 2011 from the Small Business Administration, facilitated by the Illinois State Library, the items listed below are now offered for check out at the Alpha Park Public Library to any local small business, new startups, or those who are considering a new business.
(Must be 18 years or older and have a valid APL library card to checkout equipment.)

Small Business Resources available at APL:

Equipment:

• Laptop (in carrying case with Sales & Marketing Pro and Business Plan Pro already loaded for your use)

• Portable Projector

• Video Camera

• Motorola Xoom

• Tripod

• Canson Paper Show

• Headset with Microphone

• Portable Screen (Upstairs)

• USB/Thumb Drive

Business Training DVDs:

• National Safety Compliance: Workplace Bloodborne Pathogens (English & Spanish versions)

• National Safety Compliance: Workplace Bloodborne Pathogens for Healthcare(English & Spanish versions)

• National Safety Compliance: Safety Orientation (English & Spanish versions)

• National Safety Compliance: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Managers (English)

• National Safety Compliance: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Employees (English & Spanish versions)

Business Books:

• The complete idiot's guide to best practices for small business by Abudi, Gin.

• Small business, big vision : lessons on how to dominate your market from self-made entrepreneurs who did it right by Toren, Adam

• 201 great ideas for your small business by Jane Applegate

• Business for Beginners by Frances McGuckin

• QuickBooks 2011 : the official guide : for QuickBooks Pro Users by Leslie Capachietti

• Home Business Tax Deductions : Keep What You Earn by Stephen Fishman

• How to Write a Business Plan by Mike P. McKeever

• 19 Ways to Survive : Small-Business Strategies for a Tough Economy by Lynn Spry

• Legal Forms for Starting & Running a Small Business by Fred Steingold

• Adobe Acrobat 9 How-To’s: 125 Essential Techniques

Business Audio Books:

• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t by Jim Collins

• Networking With Millionaires by Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D.

• Ziglar on Selling: The Ultimate Handbook for the Complete Sales Professional by Zig Ziglar

• On Managing by Mark H. McCormack

Business Magazine:

• Home Business Magazine

Local Small Business Agencies:

Small Business Association (SBA) - an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns. Including loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/2/3161

SCORE - nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. http://www.scorepeoria.org/

Turner Center for Entrepreneurship (Bradley University) - has the collective knowledge and resources to assist small or start-up businesses in creating a plan that minimizes risk and takes advantage of opportunities. http://www.bradley.edu/academic/colleges/fcba/centers/turner/

How can this equipment help you?

• Shoot a video of your business, yourself, your product, etc., and put it out on YouTube, Facebook or other social media for free advertising!

• Create business plans with software loaded on the laptop.

• Develop a presentation to show off your business and/or products at meetings. The library also offers meeting room spaces.

• Show informative/training videos to staff at no cost.

• Use the software loaded on the laptop to develop sales & marketing plans

• Business books also offer a great deal of information and tips to help you and your business succeed!

Upcoming Events:

• Have a suggestion for a program? Contact the Information Desk at 309.697.3822 x13 or alpha@alphapark.org