Texas library agency highlights business tools for entrepreneurs
A Texas State Library and Archives Commission blog post says libraries can support entrepreneurs with business resources and communications tools.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission says libraries can help small business owners and entrepreneurs find information, prepare pitches and connect with resources.
In an April 29, 2024, blog post, the agency says the effort matters in a state where Texas has been named Best State for Business for 19 years in a row. It cites the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2023 Small Business Profile as saying 99.8% of Texas businesses are small businesses and that those businesses account for 44.5% of Texas employment, or 4.9 million workers.
The post also says applications to open a business in Texas have been rising. It says libraries can serve as local partners for entrepreneurs by sharing materials that help explain and promote library business services.
Among the resources it names is the EntreLib Pitch Perfect Workshop article, which includes supplementary business book recommendations. It also points readers to the Libraries Build Business Communication Toolkit, which includes a customizable 15-minute presentation template, an editable script and templates for emails and flyers.
The post also recommends an Urban Libraries Council toolkit for libraries looking to expand their reach. It highlights Jennifer Gibson’s article, Worth It: Our Small Business Value Calculator, from St. Louis County Library, saying it offers a framework to calculate and explain the value of library resources for entrepreneurs.
The commission says the materials can help libraries communicate their role in a community’s economy and prosperity. The post is presented as guidance for library staff looking to support local business owners with ready-made tools.
The post does not announce a program launch or a funding change. It invites libraries to borrow the listed resources and adapt them for local outreach.
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Editorial note: This article was prepared with AI assistance and includes source attribution for reader review.
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