Libraries as Launchpads - Creative Startups

Libraries catalyze COMMUNITY LEARNING INCLUSION DISCOVERY PROSPERITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Read the Impact Report

Libraries are uniquely positioned to be centers of economic opportunity and recovery. In partnership with librarians and library systems, we connect, build capacity in, and advocate for libraries.

Together, we bring hyper-localized support to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Activate your Library

GROW YOUR BUSINESS

Are you ready to grow your business? Libraries as Launchpads provides participating businesses with the framework to discover if an idea is ready to launch and to determine the next steps to get there. Over the 4-weeks, you will identify your ideal customer, learn to pitch your business and connect to additional resources that aid in your business growth.

We currently have programs for entrepreneurs open in the following location: New Mexico

Learn more and sign up

Come to my library!

TRANSFORM YOUR LIBRARY

Step 1:
Build capacity to support entrepreneurs in your community

Step 2:
Grow your business resources and collection

Step 3:
Host programming to grow creative businesses

Step 4:
Become a resource hub for creative entrepreneurs

STEP 1: Build

BUILD CAPACITY AS AN ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESOURCE EXPERT

Libraries as Launchpads Certification One:

BECOME A CERTIFIED Entrepreneurship LIBRARIAN

Pre-COVID small businesses provided approximately 50% of jobs in the US workforce. As a librarian you are uniquely situated to reach potential and struggling entrepreneurs and guide them to the resources they need as they grow their businesses.

This program is for you if you want to:

support businesses and entrepreneurs in your community;
work with your community to increase access to resources for ALL prospective entrepreneurs in your service area;
have local leaders recognize the value your library adds to the entrepreneurship ecosystem and economic recovery initiatives.

Certification One is an 8-week program to equip you, your library and community with tools and techniques to better support local entrepreneurs, gain increased visibility from community leaders and partners, and find ways to fill the gaps in your local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

After this 8-week course you’ll be:

able to recognize and map an entrepreneur’s challenges and needs and support them accordingly;
ready to identify and build connections with resources for entrepreneurs in your community, your region, your state, and nationally;
equipped with the numbers to back up what we already know – your library is a huge asset to your community;
a certified Entrepreneurship Librarian!

Registration is open soon for our national 2022 librarian cohort.

Interested in learning more? Connect with our Launchpads Team here.

Learn more and sign up

I found Libraries as Launchpads to be an engaging and informative program that entirely changed my viewpoint on how libraries can better assist entrepreneurs. But more importantly, I learned how libraries can use entrepreneurial development tools to better serve our [patrons]. Focusing on “pains” in my community, and how I can “kill” them, has changed my outlook on practically every professional responsibility. Most especially this new approach will benefit our library programming, which will in turn benefit our community. I would definitely recommend this eye-opening course to all librarians.

– Minna Wimberley, SEFLIN Librarian

STEP 2: Grow

SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIBRARIES AS LAUNCHPADS RESOURCE PORTAL

Once you are a Certified Launchpad Librarian, grow your resources for entrepreneurs with 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.

Connect with a team member

Libraries as Launchpads Certification One was fantastic! I went from knowing very little about how to serve the entrepreneurs in our community to feeling confident, informed, and ready to help.

– Jeremy Mattocks, SEFLIN Librarian

STEP 3: Host

EQUIP YOUR LIBRARY TO HOST PROGRAMMING FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Libraries as Launchpads Certification Two:

BECOME A CERTIFIED LAUNCHPAD LIBRARY

Cohort based learning provides learners with a network of support that is unmatched in individual learning environments. Libraries as Launchpads Certification Two equips your library to deliver cohort based business pre-accelerator programs for entrepreneurs testing business ideas in your community.

This program is for you if you:
are now a resource expert for entrepreneurship in your community and you see a need and want to do more for local entrepreneurs;
have seen multiple entrepreneurs struggling with the same challenges;
want to get the word out about your library as a resource for entrepreneurs?

Certification Two offers hands-on training for library staff to plan, market, and host a hybrid in-person and online cohort based business pre-accelerator program using Creative Startups proven curriculum. Through the program a local Entrepreneurship Educator is trained to facilitate discussions and peer learning in your library.

After successful completion of Certification Two, your library will be equipped and ready to host as many pre-accelerator programs as your community needs!

By participating in this program you will gain:

a local Entrepreneurship Educator trained by our lead faculty who has taught entrepreneurship and consulted with startup businesses for over 20 years, including in universities like Stanford, Stockholm and Babson College;
access to a turnkey ready program, including interactive online learning portal and learning and teaching materials for both entrepreneurs and educators;
a support system when you need it. The Libraries as Launchpads team and a national network of LaL librarians have your back. We’re here to help with anything you need, including advocating for your library and reporting key outcomes and impacts to local leaders and stakeholders.

Interested in learning more? Connect with our Launchpads Team.

Connect with a team member

Creative Startups was a great resource for helping me make the necessary steps towards a sustainable business future.

– Kelly Speckhart

Creative Startups has provided a network and foundation that never before have I seen made available to creatives. It is life changing.

– Carlos Contreras

STEP 4: Become

BECOME A HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP!

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

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

the Libraries as Launchpads pre-accelerator curriculum, Field Journal for entrepreneurs, and online learning Portal;
guides and templates for Educators and program managers;
pre and post surveys to measure impact on local entrepreneurs;
a national network of LaL Librarians;
quarterly calls with Creative Startups and other LaL Librarians;
support with impact reports and advocacy.

Learn more