Small Business Resources

At every stage of your business, the library can save you time and money. Whether you’re expanding a thriving business or are still deciding if entrepreneurship is right for you, we’re here to connect you to the people and information you need.

Featured  |  Starting and Running a Small Business  |  Market and Customer Research  | Finance and Capital  | Technology  |  Consult an Expert  |  Work-Life Balance

Featured

  • eBook Business Reading Room Thousands of books and audiobooks about business and leadership available to download to your phone, device, or computer.
  • Lynda.com Video courses teaching skills and software knowledge for business, web design and development, IT, education, and more.
  • Nonprofit and Philanthropy Resource Center Help starting or managing nonprofit organizations including research assistance by appointment, reference materials, access to grants databases, and more, at the Redmond Library.
  • ReferenceUSA Business and residential listings of US and Canadian companies, US residences, US job/internship searches, consumer lifestyles, and new movers/homeowners to help you find your customers or competitors.
  • SCORE mentors One-on-one counseling sessions for anyone seeking advice on starting and maintaining a successful small business.

Starting and Running a Small Business

Learn how to start, manage, or grow a small business. Write your business plan, develop management skills, and understand essential topics like finance, law, and marketing.

Online Resources Library card required

  • Access Video: Business & Economics Over 2,000 documentary and how-to videos covering business education, business technology, economics, ethics and business law, finance, accounting and taxation, marketing, and management.
  • Business Plans Handbook Sample business plans from entrepreneurs seeking funding for small businesses in the manufacturing, retail, and service industries.
  • eBook Business Reading Room Thousands of the best books and audiobooks about business and leadership available to download to your phone, device, or computer.
  • Lynda.com Video courses teaching skills and software knowledge, including for starting and running a business.
  • Mango Languages Self-paced online language learning software with specialty courses for business, legal, and industry vocabulary.
  • Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce Articles on business, money, real estate, technology, construction, architecture, and the environment.
  • Wall Street Journal Articles from the Wall Street Journal (1984-present).

In Person Services

  • SCORE mentors One-on-one counseling sessions for anyone seeking advice on starting and maintaining a successful small business.
  • In person classes on entrepreneurship Classes, lectures, and workshops that you can attend at no cost to you.
  • Legal clinics Brief consultations with volunteer attorneys regarding civil legal issues. (Attorneys cannot represent clients but can refer to other assistance.)

Print Materials

Market and Customer Research

Access premium market research reports, understand your competition, and locate your customers. 

Online Resources Library card required

  • ABI/Inform Business Trade & Industry Articles that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics worldwide.
  • Mergent Intellect Business Research Directory of over 245 million global businesses with data for over 100 million executives, First Research industry reports, KBR Business Ratios, Nielsen Popfacts, Prizm market segmentation, consumer lifestyle by zip code, Indeed job listings, and directory information for over 250 million residences with previously associated addresses and relatives.
  • Reference USA Business and residential listings of US and Canadian companies, US residences, US job/internship searches, consumer lifestyles, and new movers/homeowners to help you find your customers or competitors.
  • Social Explorer Current and historical demographic data from the United States presented in easily downloadable maps and tables.

In Person Services

  • Information by Appointment One-on-one appointments with a librarian to help you learn to use any of these tools, or answer an in-depth research question you can’t answer. (Call your local library to schedule an appointment.)
  • SCORE mentors One-on-one counseling sessions for anyone seeking advice on starting and maintaining a successful small business.

Print Materials

Finance and Capital

Stay on top of your finances. Perform due diligence, understand your industry’s benchmarks, and research funders and investors.

Online Resources Library card required

  • Key Business Ratios Industry benchmark data for public and private companies in 800 lines of business, with 14 key business ratios, industry balance sheets, income statement information, and ratios organized by SIC codes.
  • Morningstar Investment Research Center Investing data and reports on 23000+ mutual funds, 7000+ stocks, and investment management tools.

In Person Services

  • Nonprofit and Philanthropy Resource Center Research assistance by appointment, reference materials, access to grants databases, and other help starting or managing nonprofit organizations, at the Redmond Library.
  • SCORE mentors One-on-one counseling sessions for anyone seeking advice on starting and maintaining a successful small business.

Print Materials

Technology

Learn to use the technology and tools your business needs.

Online Resources Library card required

  • Adobe software on KCLS computers Access to Photoshop for photo editing, InDesign for postcard creation, Illustrator for logo design, Acrobat Pro for sharing forms and documents, and learning tools to work on future projects.
  • Lynda.com Video courses that teach skills and software knowledge for IT, business, web design and development, education, and more.
  • Microsoft Office Certification (MOS) Free learning resources and certification exam sessions at your library to help you prepare for success with a Microsoft Certification.

In Person Services

Print Materials

Consult an Expert 

Get one-on-one personalized help from an expert at no cost to you.

In Person Services

  • Information by Appointment One-on-one appointments with a librarian to help you learn to use any of these tools, or answer an in-depth research question you can’t answer. (Call your local library to schedule an appointment.)
  • SCORE mentors One-on-one counseling sessions for anyone seeking advice on starting and maintaining a successful small business.
  • One-on-One Computer Help Help for your computer and technology questions from a Tech Tutor Volunteer. (Call ahead for an appointment.)
  • Legal clinics Brief consultations with volunteer attorneys regarding civil legal issues. (Attorneys cannot represent clients but can refer to other assistance.)

Work-Life Balance

Work hard, play hard. No-cost ways to avoid burnout, build relationships, and have fun.

Online Resources Library card required

  • Freegal Millions of songs from thousands of labels and popular artists; available with no holds and no waiting.
  • hoopla Movies, TV, music, and comics for your computer or mobile devices; all titles available with no holds and no waiting.
  • OverDrive eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, and streaming video for your computer, mobile device, or eReader.
  • Personalized reading recommendations A list of books chosen just for you to help you find your perfect BookMatch.
  • RBdigital Audiobooks Downloadable audiobooks for your computer and mobile device.
  • RBdigital Magazines Downloadable audiobooks and magazines for your computer and mobile device.

In Person Services

  • Volunteering Opportunities to give back to your community: tutoring kids, teaching technology skills, helping someone learn English, and more.

Print Materials

  • 10 to Try Our annual reading challenge, encouraging you to try something different.
  • Best Books Our top picks each year, from sweet and silly picture books to riveting nonfiction and everything in between.
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