They may be "small", but they're also mighty.
The United States is home to more than 33 million small businesses that employ nearly half the American workforce and contribute 43.5% of the country’s GDP.1
In Canada, the 1.07 million small businesses represent 98.1% of all employers. They employ 64.5% of the private labor force and contribute more than half of GDP.2
As Cincinnati-based library professional Peter Bour puts it:
“I can’t imagine a bright future without a vibrant local business scene.”
So what role can libraries play in helping local entrepreneurs and small businesses survive and thrive?
Explore interviews with library professionals from the US & Canada about how they’re successfully supporting small businesses with:
Print and digital collections
E-resources
Business librarian office hours
Makerspaces & technology
Workshops featuring local experts & entrepreneurs
And more!
[1] https://www.uschamber.com/small-business/small-business-data-center
[2] https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/sme-research-statistics/en/key-small-business-statistics/key-small-business-statistics-2024