Hello all,

Thank you to everyone who was able to join for this morning’s discussion.  It was very nice to see and hear from you. 

 

The meeting was not recorded, but I did take notes, which I will share below.  First, I will provide some updates and links:

·       ReferenceUSA training

o   For library staff

§  Recording from May 27 is here:  https://youtu.be/0CLH6wtzmhU

§  June 3 from 10-11:30am  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_s-6L3WTrSQORIPWQnGxx5Q

o   For the public

§  Please fill out this form to request training for your patrons or join other libraries offering training: https://www.njstatelib.org/referenceusa-training-webinars-2020/

·       Fill out this survey to provide your availability and preferences for ongoing NJLibsGrowBiz virtual discussions: https://forms.gle/8fFZE6jZjnxUeM98A 

·       NJLA Virtual Keynote: The Role of Libraries in NJ's Economic Recovery
Thursday, June 18, 2020, 11 a.m. to noon
Registration is limited to NJLA members:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rdu2rqjIqGdDjHIpSa_VX-aBnd-Qg9Qat

 

NJLibsGrowBiz Steering Committee – May 29, 2020

*If I’m missing anything, please email the group

 

Updates:

·       East Brunswick Public Library (Martha) is working on a Small Business Recovery webpage (URL not available yet) as well as Take a Business Break programming during the lunch hour.  This event will be presented by an accountant to help answer business owners’ questions around financing and accounting.

·       Long Branch Free Public Library (Mariela) has a Back to Business webpage with services for business owners: https://www.longbranchlib.org/back-to-business

·       Montville Township Public Library(Michael and Risa) and Ocean County Library (Rachel and Nancy M.) are working on YouTube channels and virtual programming:

o   Montville:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7RjNdfRhHr_12RjpC5apHg

o   Ocean County Library:  https://www.youtube.com/user/oclvideo/videos

·       Ocean County Library (Rachel and Nancy M.) is working through materials from the NJLibsGrowBiz Summit to help them build their networks (handouts and recordings here: www.njstatelib.org/njlibsgrowbiz)

·       Summit Public Library (Rebecca) is working on programming and resume review for jobseekers

·       Somerset County Library (Elizabete – North Plainfield Public Library) had several staff members attend the NJLibsGrowBiz Summit and runs a business committee to coordinate system programming and services.

·       Vera (Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library) is doing grant research for her library using GrantHub and is also sending grant opportunities to the appropriate organizations.

o   NJ State Library (Leigh) is a Foundation Center network site:  https://www.njstatelib.org/research_library/collections/funding_information_center/

o   County College of Morris (Lynee) is a network site: https://www.ccm.edu/library/

 

Challenges:

·       Finding time!  With multiple roles, it is difficult to have the time and energy to focus on business services and programming.

·       Technology learning curve: Questions about using Zoom, YouTube, and other software.

o   Does anyone have recommendations for tutorials?

o   Diane (Rider University) shared the space bar shortcut for quick muting/unmuting in Zoom

·       Reaching business owners: without walk-ins, scheduled outreach, etc. it is difficult to find the business owners who need help.  Also, support seems to be coming from chambers and other business groups, including ones best positioned to answer questions about PPP, loans, grants, etc.

 

Next steps to explore

·       We discussed whether it would be helpful for libraries to partner on monthly business virtual programming to better leverage our marketing, funds (for fee-based speakers), time, and access to platforms.

o   Chelsea, Nancy M., and I will work on next steps, starting with a way to suggest speakers

o   If anyone else would like to help plan this effort, please feel free to volunteer!

·       We touched on whether it would be helpful to combine efforts for resources to help business owners rather than each library having its own page with COVID-19 info.  In the meantime, I will collect links to library pages about business recovery, reopening, etc. as I find them or they are shared with me.

·       Don Newman from the Business Action Center expressed a need for business owners to easily locate industry-specific reopening guides.  I am taking a closer look at that with Leigh.

·       Nancy P. (Gloucester County Library System) shared a wonderful story about a sales rep who wanted to learn about ReferenceUSA because the top salesperson in her company recommended using the public library for help.

o   If you have success stories or anything else to share about how libraries are helping business owners, please send it to me!  I share them with Mary and Peggy for when they visit legislators or when we speak with other stakeholders.  

 

Best,

Andrea

 

Andrea Simzak Levandowski (she/her/hers)

Library Consultant for Small Business Development & Technology

New Jersey State Library

P.O. Box 520

Trenton, NJ 08625

(609) 278-2640 x190

alevandowski@PROTECTED