New mexico state library, in partnership with creative startups, cuyahoga county public library system, new jersey state library's njlibsgrowbiz, memphis library system, and idaho commission for…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded a $249,877 two-year Project Grant to the New Mexico State Library Foundation under the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program. The grant will fund a national initiative to equip libraries to better support small businesses and entrepreneurs from underserved populations.

Specifically, the New Mexico State Library will partner with four other library systems and a nonprofit organization to build a network of entrepreneurship librarians. The team will host a training for librarians to gain skills in ongoing support for local entrepreneurs and small businesses. They will also publish a how-to guide for libraries to transform into hubs of entrepreneurial support. The entrepreneurship librarian network and guide are intended to help libraries identify gaps in their local ecosystems and make connections to strategic partners and stakeholders. The project aims to benefit library staff, potential entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local economies.

New mexico state library, in partnership with creative startups, cuyahoga county public library system, new jersey state library's njlibsgrowbiz, memphis library system, and idaho commission for libraries, will provide training and technical support to enable libraries to better serve small businesses and entrepreneurs from historically underserved populations. The project team will build a diverse network of national entrepreneurship librarians; host a training that equips librarians with the skills they need to offer ongoing support to local entrepreneurs and small businesses; and publish a guide so libraries can transform into hubs. The entrepreneurship librarians network and how-to guide will enable libraries to identify gaps in their local ecosystems and connect with local strategic partners and stakeholders to provide critical support for new and emerging businesses. Library staff, potential entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local economies will benefit from this project.