Transforming: Community Relationships

Going Forward from the Pandemic: Libraries as Entrepreneurial Hubs

On Demand

ALA Unit/Subunit: PLA

Moderator(s)

BS

Betsey Suchanic

Senior Program Manager
Urban Libraries Council
Washington, District of Columbia

Slides Slides

Speaker(s)

Julie Brophy

Manager, Adult & Community Engagement
Baltimore County Public Library
WW

Wesley Wilson
DL

Diana Lee
HS

Hadiza SaAadu

Economic recovery will remain a top priority for every community as the nation continues to grapple with COVID-19’s impact. As community leaders for race and social equity, public libraries are essential for ensuring economic recovery efforts do not leave vulnerable populations behind. Since 2018, a ULC library cohort has been performing cutting-edge research and piloting innovative programs to strengthen libraries as inclusive entrepreneurial hubs. Engage with leaders in this cohort to learn why libraries must bridge the physical and digital divides and think beyond in-person programming in order to serve underrepresented entrepreneurs in the COVID-19 era.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be able to recognize the essential role of public libraries in supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Upon completion, participants will be able to identify opportunities for virtual programming to support underrepresented entrepreneurs in the COVID-19 era.
Upon completion, participants will be able to take steps to expand small business and entrepreneurship services in their library.