Secrets of a Successful Entrepreneurial Library

Instructor: Leo MacLeod

Secrets of a Successful Entrepreneurial Library

How can a library embrace entrepreneurship without betraying its very roots? From book stores and coffee shops to sponsorships and fee-based information services, you’ll discover what potential your library has for generating much needed revenue, offering new services, appealing to new customers and doing it all without selling out. Which ventures are the most successful? Which present the most risk? What have other libraries learned? At the end of this highly informative and practical workshop you'll know if an entrepreneurial approach is right for you.

Workshop Description: The half-day workshop combines discussion, case studies, individual self-assessment, small group brainstorming and question/answer to unlock the entrepreneur in you. Participants will follow the path of a typical start-up enterprise, examining their motivations, resources, and environment for starting an entrepreneurial venture in their library. Learn from the lessons of other libraries that have successfully developed business enterprises.

Please Note: With the passage of Prop 14, California libraries can now leverage state funds to launch major capital campaigns. While this workshop is not limited to construction funding and does not address how to apply for Prop.14 funds, any library that needs to develop the 35% local funding match to qualify for Prop. 14 funding will benefit from this course.

Highlights:

• How entrepreneurial are you?
  • Self assessment
  • Becoming more entrepreneurial
  • What can libraries gain?
  • Concerns about being entrepreneurial
  • Managing risk
• What it takes to be a successful entrepreneur
  • The right place
  • The right time
  • The right people
• How to evaluate ideas
  • The Quick Test: Cost v. Benefit
  • The Full Assessment: Case Study
    • Motivation
    • Environment
    • Resources
  • The Decision Matrix: Deciding what to pursue
• Evaluating Top Entrepreneurial Ventures
  • Food and drink carts/bars
  • Retail operations
  • Partnerships and sponsorships
  • Space rental
  • Fee-based services
• Unleashing the Entrepreneur in You
  • Small Group Brainstorming
  • Getting Started

Who should attend: Library directors and managers; library business managers; library space planners; members of Friends, Foundations and other library advocacy groups.

Prerequisites: None.

Please Note: There is a $75.00 fee for this workshop. InFoPeople does not provide parking passes, lunch or refreshments.

Check-in: 8:30 to 9 AM Instruction: 9 AM to 1:00 PM