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.
We’re bringing our small business and nonprofit know-how to Library locations throughout Lucas County. Each month, you’ll find business and nonprofit specialist librarians at:
New schedule:
Mott: First Tuesday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kent: Second Tuesday | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Locke: Second Tuesday | 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Heatherdowns: Third Tuesday | 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Sanger: Fourth Tuesday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Receive assistance with business plans, industry and donor research, nonprofit grants, and more!
45-minute appointments are available. Schedule an appointment to get started.
- The Arts Commission
- Assets Toledo
- Center for Innovative Food Technology
- City of Toledo – Economic Development
- ECDI
- JumpStart
- LISC
- Lucas County Business Services
- Lucas County Health Department
- Minority Business Assistance Center
- Northwest Ohio SCORE
- Ohio MSDC
- Patent Trademark Resource Center
- Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
- Toledo Small Business Development Center
- Women of Toledo
- Anthony Wayne Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Eastern Maumee Bay Chamber of Commerce
- Holland-Springfield Chamber of Commerce
- Maumee Chamber of Commerce
- Northwest Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Oregon Economic Development Foundation
- Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce
- Toledo African American Chamber of Commerce
- Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce
BUSINESS RESEARCH TOOLS
Toledo Library Offers Support for Growing Natural Hair Product Business
Through her small business, and the support of TLCPL's free services and resources, Megan Davis is educating her community about the heritage and history of African American hair.
Elevate your nonprofit: Fundraising
Nothing is more challenging for nonprofits than continuously asking for money. Fundraising is essential to every nonprofit agency, but fundraising is also the most difficult and competitive part of operations. You’ll find some individuals that love it and are very successful fundraisers, while others would rather get a root canal than solicit money from strangers (or worse – people they know).
Elevate your nonprofit: Leadership and management
I often mention to Library customers that grant writing is a holistic process in which the entire nonprofit organization is evaluated from its leadership to its long-term sustainability and everything in between. More than just the grant proposal is considered in the funding decision.
Elevate your nonprofit: Prospect Research
Fundraising is difficult, no matter who you are. I’ve done it both as my job and as a board officer and neither is easy. What helps the most is preparation - know your talking points and your organization’s strengths and highlights. But more importantly, know your prospect. Being able to reach your donor in a meaningful way will ensure you are not wasting both your time and the donor’s.
