SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIBRARIES AS LAUNCHPADS RESOURCE PORTAL

Once you are a Certified Launchpad Librarian, you have the option of subscribing to the Resource Portal for your library.

In the Resource Portal, you have:

• Access to a self-guided program for your patrons who are ready to test out their business ideas.
• A private area in the Portal for you to access resources and guides to help you continue building your collections and support system for entrepreneurs.
• Access to our online Slack community of like-minded entrepreneurship librarians.

Q: What does the self-guided program for entrepreneurs cover?

The program runs January xxx-March xxxx with weekly meetings on Tuesdays at Noon EST, 9am PST.

Q: What are the fees for the subscription?

Costs are based on your legal service area and range from xxx-$xxx month for an annual subscription.

Q: What resource are available in the Librarian Portal?

The portal…

EQUIP YOUR LIBRARY

Get hands-on training to plan, market, and facilitate a 4-week program for Entrepreneurs in your library!

During the 4 month process, you will:

• Have weekly support and training on planning, marketing, and facilitating a 4-week intensive for the idea stage Entrepreneurs.
• Designate a local educator who gets in-depth training and guides to lead the 4-week program.
• Receive a template and support for creating an impact report to advocate for your library.
• Transform your library into a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship!

Q: How much time should I expect to commit to participating?

We’ll work with you over a 4 month period. During the planning and outreach phase, expect to commit 8-12 hours a week. During the 4-week program, you can expect 2-3 hours a managing week plus 8-10 for the Educator. We suggest having a couple of library staff members and/or community or board volunteers to run this program.

You’ll want to have:

• People to help promote and get the word out and recruit entrepreneurs,
• Someone to oversee the process, join weekly calls, and keep things on track,
• A designated Educator who will get more in-depth training in supporting entrepreneurs and lead meetings in your library,
• Someone to measure impact and create a plan to advocate for your library.

(Don’t worry, we’ll support you with all of this!)

Q: Who makes a good LaL Educator? What experience do they need?

A good Libraries as Launchpads Educators is not necessarily an experienced educator or entrepreneur. The qualities we have found that make the best Educators are:

• Passionate about helping others in their community succeed;
• Computer literate and comfortable with basic functions of Microsoft Office programs – Word, Excel, and Powerpoint;
• Not necessarily an entrepreneur but moderately familiar with small business and entrepreneurship (such as a certified Launch-pad Librarian!);
• Bi-lingual, if this would be useful in your community;
• EMBEDDED IN YOUR LOCAL/REGIONAL COMMUNITY.

Q: What does the 4-week program for entrepreneurs cover?

The Libraries as Launchpads program provides participants with the framework to discover if their idea is market-ready and determine the next steps to get there.

• Through the program, entrepreneurs:
• Define their MarketSpace
• Identify their ideal customers and the “Pain” they can solve for them.
• Produce/polish their prototype and test it with customers
• Learn to “Pitch” their business
• Work on their Sales Cycle and conversion rates for their business
• Network and connect with other entrepreneurs and business owners in your community.

BE A HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP!

After the training, your library is ready to do the program on their own!

Through that annual subscription, you’ll have access to:

• The LaL curriculum, workbook, and Portal,
• Guides, templates, and surveys,
• A private Slack channel for LaL Librarians,
• Quarterly calls with Creative Startups and other LaL Librarians,
• Support with impact reports and advocacy.