The Important Role Libraries Play in Supporting Local Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Presented at the Florida Libraries Online Conference
June 12, 2020
Now more than ever, libraries play a crucial role in providing support for small business and entrepreneurs in their communities. With the influx of resources and information for small business due to the Coronavirus pandemic and countless places to access them, the knowledge and expertise of a librarian is essential. Join us for a talk with Ginny Sterpka from Creative Startups highlighting the important role libraries play in bolstering entrepreneurship during this unprecedented moment, in the time that follows, and under regular everyday circumstances.
Presenter: Ginny Sterpka
Ginny is the Community Based and Creative Placemaking Programs Manager at Creative Startups, the leading global business accelerator for creative entrepreneurs. She leads the growth and development of the Libraries as Launchpads program which seeks to transform libraries into vibrant creative entrepreneurship hubs.
Libraries as Launchpads was launched in 2018 by Creative Startups, in partnership with the New Mexico State Library and New Mexico’s public and tribal libraries, with a goal to provide greater access to resources for underserved entrepreneurs across the state. The program takes a community-based approach to ecosystems development by building the local capacity to support startups in the creative industries. Read more about Libraries as Launchpads here.
Since 2018, Creative Startups has worked with state & regional library systems, state and local government organizations, local libraries, friends groups, and foundations to transform their libraries into launchpads. Libraries as Launchpads has worked with 15 libraries, trained 14 local entrepreneurship educators, & served 70 entrepreneurs.