The King County Library System (KCLS) has received a grant from the Washington State Library as a part of the Renew Washington Project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). While the Gates Foundation has awarded the grant to the Washington State Library, the State Library has in turn awarded sub-grants to local public libraries, including $50,000 to the King County Library System to develop and launch InfoBiz--an online resource center to help struggling small business owners and entrepreneurs.

KCLS and other local community organizations offer a wealth of knowledge and resources for small businesses, but many entrepreneurs remain unaware of the free help available. Many people are already overwhelmed and don't know where to start, and face other obstacles: lack of time, limited finances, limited English skills, childcare responsibilities, restrictions on mobility and transportation. By making useful information easily accessible online at any time, InfoBiz will resolve a variety of obstacles and connect small business owners with the assistance they need.

InfoBiz will offer streaming videos, tutorials, and podcasts on demand, detailing business strategies, resources, and concepts presented by local business experts. The project is a partnership between community agencies providing content, and the King County Library System which will organize the content and host InfoBiz.

KCLS librarians will also create online videos and tutorials to teach small business owners to use the library's resources to help their business succeed. The on-demand videos will be more convenient for users, allowing them to view subjects when and where they choose. InfoBiz also will serve as a helpful referral tool connecting small business entrepreneurs to agencies in King County that can provide additional support and resources.

Topics for the InfoBiz library of online resources will be selected in consultation with organizational partners and the KCLS reference librarians working on the project. Segments under consideration include:

-- how to create a business plan
-- how to find and keep customers in hard times
-- collection strategies for small business
-- how to fund a start-up
-- how to utilize library materials for market research
-- marketing a small business through online social networking

-- introductory pieces on how various partner agencies can assist small
businesses

Paired with the videos on kcls.org, links to accompanying PowerPoint presentations, sample business forms, and other handouts will enhance the content. KCLS Contact: Jeff Kempe, Adult Services Coordinator: 425.369.3229 jhkempe@kcls.org

Washington State Library ($400,000 grant from Gates Foundation over one year)--a division of the Office of the Secretary of State--collects, preserves, and makes government materials accessible; and provides services to all libraries in the state of Washington. Through this grant, the library will work with 17 public libraries to enhance services to help patrons find and use job and career resources, locate and apply for job opportunities, learn new skills and connect with educational opportunities, and practice job seeking skills like resume building and interviewing techniques. (Jan Walsh, state librarian, 360-951-6524, www.secstate.wa.gov/library)