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Business Support
WE'RE HERE TO HELP
The economic effects of COVID-19 have been especially challenging for the region's small business community. The Library doesn't want this current situation to derail your plans and dreams. Whether you already have a business or you see an unmet need and want to start a business, the Library has the expertise and tools to help you:
- Learn about the business you're interested in
- Know your competition
- Define your overall goals
- Create a business plan
Download our Library Resources for Small Business booklet | عربى | Español
We also have dozens of great business research tools and materials that you can access for free with your Library card. Need help getting started? Email our Business & Workforce Department or call 419.259.5244.
Sign up for the Business quarterly newsletter.
External Business Resources
LOCAL RESOURCES
Looking for local help beyond our services and resources? Here are some local organizations who provide support services and networking opportunities for small businesses:
Arts Commission
Assets Toledo
Center for Innovative Food Technology
JumpStart
Minority Business Assistance Center
Northwest Ohio SCORE
Toledo Small Business Development Center
Women of Toledo
Women’s Entrepreneurial Network
STATE AND FEDERAL RESOURCES
Thinking bigger? If you’re ready to move your business beyond its local reach, check out these state and federal business resources:
State
Ohio Secretary of State
Ohio Department of Taxation
Starting a Business in Ohio
Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Ohio Development Services Agency
Federal
Small Business Administration
IRS Business Page
Fed BizOpps
Business Programs
Make Your Website Work For You
Wednesday Apr. 28
at 3:00 p.m.
Location: Online Programs
Learn how to create a search-friendly website that drives user action and supports your goals. Whether you’re launching a new website or sprucing up an old one, this workshop will help.
Event Details for Make Your Website Work For YouSell Online with Email Marketing Tools
Wednesday May. 5
at 12:00 p.m.
Location: Online Programs
Part of the Grow with Google Digital Series, this workshop will cover email marketing skills for small business owners.
Event Details for Sell Online with Email Marketing ToolsTell Your Nonprofit's Story with GuideStar
Thursday May. 6
at 1:30 p.m.
Location: Online Programs
Learn how to leverage the power of GuideStar to choose what tens of millions of potential donors see about your organization by earning a 2021 GuideStar Seal of Transparency.
Event Details for Tell Your Nonprofit's Story with GuideStarAsk a Patent/Copyright/Trademark Attorney
Thursday May. 6
at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Online Programs
Attorneys will provide an overview of intellectual property, explain the differences between patents, trademarks and copyright, and be available to answer your questions.
Event Details for Ask a Patent/Copyright/Trademark AttorneyBusiness Boost
Thursday May. 20
at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Online Programs
Businesses need an edge over their competition and the owner who works smarter is often the one who gets ahead.
Event Details for Business BoostOne-Year Action Plan for Success
Wednesday Jun. 2
at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Online Programs
This four-session program will take your business plan and create an operational and strategic plan that will be true to your mission and core values while activating your vision and goals.
Event Details for One-Year Action Plan for SuccessBusiness Research Tools
D&B Hoovers
Designed to help companies gain a deeper understanding of their market opportunities so they can make more informed decisions, stay ahead of the competition and close more deals by combining and analyzing data from a wide variety of sources.
Third-Party Provider: Dun and Bradstreet
Gale eBooks (formerly GVRL)
Access hundreds of books and publications within 21 different topics including the arts, biography, business, education, the environment, history, LGBTQ, medicine, multicultural studies and race and civil rights. Email, download, print or save pages. iOS app Google Play app
School information
Grade Levels: high school
Subjects: art/music, business, college prep, English/language arts, health, science, history/government, social studies and technology
Third-Party Provider: Gale
Lynda.com
Offers more than 3,000 courses that include more than 130,000 videos. Courses cover a variety of topics including design, business, office software and personal and professional goals.
Third-Party Provider: Lynda.com
Mergent Intellect
Mergent Intellect offers a unique opportunity to access private and public U.S and international business data, industry news, facts and figures, executive contact information, the ability to access industry profiles and much more. The database is searchable by advanced criteria and resources are able to be downloaded and printed.
Third-Party Provider: Mergent Inc
MRI Simmons Insights
MRI-Simmons Insights is a consumer intelligence and discovery platform that provides marketers with faster access to actionable consumer insights.
Powered by Smart Search, the most comprehensive consumer intelligence search engine, the new platform allows marketers to mine through thousands of consumer behaviors in seconds, helping clients accelerate the development of brand consumer messaging, cross-channel marketing, and media planning tactics.
Reference Solutions (Formerly ReferenceUSA)
Reference Solutions is a powerful online reference and research tool providing library cardholders instant, real-time access to accurate, in-depth information on U.S. businesses (59 million) and U.S. residents (310 milliion).
Reference Solutions makes it faster and easier to find new business opportunities, research executives and companies, find news articles, conduct job searches, research papers, locate addresses and phone numbers, conduct market research and much more.
Third-Party Provider: Data Axle
Small Business Builder
Get a step-by-step guide to creating and completing a business plan. Explore entrepreneurial interests and opportunities, learn about the nonprofit sector and how to grow and position your business for long-term success and more.
Third-Party Provider: Gale
Small Business Reference Center
Watch videos and browse sources on a variety of business areas from accounting to marketing to operations. Get industry information by small business type and learn business basics.
Third-Party Provider: EBSCO
Business Blogs
Learn more about Ohio's 529 plan and start saving for college!
Continue Reading: Creating a College Savings Fund (And Accessing Reliable Investment Information)If you work with/support a nonprofit that has experienced financial difficulties during the pandemic, your Toledo Lucas County Public Library is here to assist.
Continue Reading: Assistance for NonprofitsIf you’re a business owner who’s struggling, we can help!
Continue Reading: Business Assistance During COVID-19Click here to access all of the Business and Investment databases.
Work Space
at Main Library
Looking to start or grow your small business? Need a space to create and work on your next project? Our Work Space offers individuals and organizations the opportunity to establish a home base for up to three months.
The Work Space is unavailable until spring 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please feel free to call David Topoleski, manager of the Business and Workforce Department, at (419) 259-5214 or email business@toledolibrary.org with questions.
Doing Business With the Library
Vendors and sub-contractors may wish to monitor this page of the Library website for postings of projects, goods, and services opportunities.