DEVELOPING STORIES, BUILDING COMMUNITIES:
BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY’S
SERVICES FOR YOUNG
JOBSEEKERS AND ENTREPRENEURS
Presented by: March 2013
Kerwin Pilgrim
Brooklyn Public Library Director of Adult Learning
“And public libraries are also serving as a
lifeline
for people trying to adapt to challenging
economic circumstances, providing technology training and online resources for employment,
access to government resources, continuing education, retooling for new careers and starting a
small business. Libraries not only benefit their users individually. They also act as
community hubs
,
bringing people together and connecting them to worlds beyond their communities. Libraries offer
more than just books; they are community centers where everyone has access to programs and
services that
fuel lifelong learning
.”
Outline
Introduction
BPL Overview and Background
Brooklyn Demographics
Service Overview and Statistics
Business and Workforce Development
Youth Services
Young Jobseekers
Center for an Urban Future’s
“Branches of Opportunity”
January 2013
According to a recent
report published on
New York City
libraries:
“One way or another,
New York needs to
better leverage its
libraries if it is to
be economically
competitive and remain
a city of opportunity.”
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL)
Overview
BPL Overview
Serves 2.5 million
residents of Brooklyn
5
th
largest public library
in the US
60 locations with Central
and Business & Career
Library
Mission/Vision
Strategic Goals
Education
Access
Culture
Inclusion
Space
Stewardship
Service Overview
Circulation
Print: Books and Periodicals
Non-Print: Multi-Media (DVDs, Audio books, CDs)
Digital: e-books, e-video, and e-audio
Programs
Adults (including seniors)
Young Adults (13 to 21)
Children
Technology
Computer
Internet and Wireless Internet
Laptops
Business and Workforce Development
Access
Business & Career Library Hub Location
Comprehensive Collection
Education and job information
Business and investment information
Periodicals, serials, and newsletters
Online resources
Popular Databases
Career Cruising (Career Assessment and Exploration)
Learning Express Library (Test Preparation and Job Readiness)
Reference USA (Market research)
Plunkett (Industry Research)
Morningstar (Investment Research)
Small Business Resource Center (Sample business plans)
Electronic Services
Email Reference
Chat Reference
Business and Workforce Development
Services
One on One Services (provided by librarian staff)
STEP one on one job readiness counseling
Book a librarian one on one research help
Popular Workshops
Resume writing and interviewing
Starting a business and finding financing
Computer Basics and Using Microsoft Word
Special Grant Programs
PowerUP! Business Plan Competition
Growing Dollars and $ense Financial Literacy education
Partnerships
Workforce One job placement centers in two libraries
Dept. Labor employment counseling and orientations (one on one)
SCORE business counseling (one on one)
Office of Financial Empowerment financial counseling (one on one)
NELP legal business counseling (one on one)
Sample Business Programs
Marketing with New Technology Series: Email Marketing, Blogging,
Crowdsourcing, Marketing with Mobile Apps, (198)
Start Smart Series: How to Start a Specialty Food Business; How to Start a Fashion
Business; How to Start Day Care Business (185)
You Can Do It Too Entrepreneur Series: Success Stories from Brooklyn Business
Owners (157)
Entrepreneur Expo: Meet & greet with business service and assistance providers;
meet with business mentors. (175)
Legal Ease Series: Hiring Employees, Keeping Records, Paying Taxes (189)
Using Google Tools to Grow your Business (160)
Start Up Series: How to Start a Business, How to Start a Non-Profit (261)
Tech Essentials with Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce (115)
Financial Empowerment Fair (90)
Money Matters Series: Lenders’ Roundtable; Crowd Funding for Start Ups (90)
Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs with Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law
Outcome Story
“Start-Up Help at Your Local Library” Inc. Magazine.com June 3, 2010
Stacey Toussaint, President and CEO of Inside Out Tours, Inc. won $15,000 for having a first place plan to
launch a 'cultural tourism company, offering bus and walking tours of NYC, specializing in Brooklyn.' Toussaint said 'The goal of entering and winning the business plan competition gave us an incentive to take classes at BPL's Business Library and utilize Brooklyn's small business centers rather than just rely on our own resources. We
received training in marketing, creating financial statements, and writing a business plan. We also made valuable connections with other competition participants that have resulted in strategic relationships.'
Runner up Elissa Olin, Founder & Owner of Green in BKLYN , an eco-friendly home goods & gift shop in Clinton
Hill said 'The prize money was the most visible and recognized resource…. But an even longer lasting influence on the success of the business has been the media support and coverage. It gave us a leg up and created not only a buzz, but momentum, which has been instrumental in the success of the business in its first and, typically, most difficult year.' Sales [are] up…. more than 60% higher year-to-year.
"The Library Helped Me Start My Business“ Women’s Day March 15, 2008
The great thing about the Brooklyn Public Library Business Library is they not only sponsor this contest, but also
give valuable workshops on how to write your business plan, a workshop on the resources at the library, and provide lists of outside resources to help start your business. It is a one-stop shop….. The resources I found most helpful at the library were the ability to reserve business books online and conduct industry-specific research through the library's database, which also can be accessed from home with a library card and a pin code; the numerous workshops offered by professionals in subjects such as marketing, accounting, organization, time management, business plan basics; and last but not least, the valuable advice of the librarians.
Developing Young Jobseekers
Online Resources
Career Cruising --Career Assessment and exploration
Learning Express Library—test for education and job preparation Resources guides—list of websites, agencies, etc.
Programs
Workshops-college and career readiness
College and Career Fairs—onsite and at offsite outreach Growing Dollars and $ense for Teens—financial literacy
Volunteer opportunities
MIP Multicultural Internship Program-- Today’s Teens., Tomorrow’s Techies (T4)
Internships
Paid internships by external institution in variety of departments Unpaid internships for high school and college students
Jobs
Part timers/Pages—shelve library materials
Computer Aides—assist computer users and in programs
