New Grant to KCLS Will Fund Online Small Businesses Support in King County

ISSAQUAH, Wash., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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:
425.369.3229jhkempe@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)

SOURCE King County Library System

Jeff Kempe, King County Library System Adult Services Coordinator,
+1-425-369-3229, jhkempe@kcls.org