Hello all,

 

Happy Friday!

 

In case you missed yesterday’s webinar, “Open to Change: Libraries, Small Businesses, and the COVID Crisis,” recording of the webinar is available here: https://youtu.be/xv7yBCtDJWU

 

Here are some other items of interest:

• Insights from the New Jersey Business and Organization COVID-19 Survey http://heldrich.rutgers.edu/newsroom/insights-new-jersey-business-and-organization-covid-19-survey
  As Luis pointed out, “Five in 10 (49%) are looking for assistance with social media or online marketing.”  If you are offering virtual programs on these topics, be sure to promote them to business groups in your communities!
• Business Forum 2021 – Join the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 27 at 9 a.m. for an informative hour as five of New Jersey's most experienced business reporters look ahead at what will help and what will hurt the state's business climate in 2021. Registration is free for this virtual event. (N.J. Chamber of Commerce): https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUofuyqqD0uE9Vd3okdwGHvXxFV04O7KzUP
• The US Chamber of Commerce has a guide for businesses during COVID: https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/small-business-resources-for-surviving-coronavirus

 

Remember to share the L2B calendar widely for upcoming webinars of interest to businesses and jobseekers.  Libraries can also share their events on this site: https://libs2b.com/

 

Lastly, during yesterday’s webinar, Megan shared ways to connect with the libraries participating in ALA’s Libraries Build Business initiative.  These are some great library programs, and the staff working on them have some very interesting insights.

 

If you are registered for Midwinter:

• Please watch our session: Libraries Build Business Lunch & Learn: Project Updates , available on-demand during the conference. Hear great tips and advice from Libraries Build Business cohort members on implementing their projects, navigating the pandemic, and prioritizing equity, diversity, and inclusion. 
• Better yet, watch our Libraries Build Business Lunch & Learn: Project Updates session with us! We'll be having a Watch Party on Sunday, January 24th at 2p ET. We will be live tweeting using #LibrariesBuildBusiness from @LibraryPolicy. Please watch with us and ask questions on Twitter! 

If you are registered for Midwinter or not:

• Come to our informal Midwinter Mixer on Monday, January 25th at 5p ET! This is a great opportunity to get to know the cohort, ask questions, and network! 
• Register for our Slack Community ! We are so excited to begin expanding our peer learning network this year. If you are interested in standing up programs and services for small businesses and entrepreneurs -- or maybe you have tips to share with us -- please consider joining our network! We are opening up a Midwinter-2021 channel with plans to grow the community throughout the year. We hope this community can be a resource and opportunity for engaging discussions with colleagues about small business development. More details will be provided in the coming months about coaching and mentoring opportunities and some LBB-developed resources. 

LBB website: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/workforce/grant

If you have anything to share or questions, please let me know.  Have a great weekend!

 

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