• Are you having trouble getting your business plan completed?
• Do you already have a business and need someone to assess it's strengths and weaknesses?
• Don't you wish you can talk to someone who has been there and done that in the business world?
• Have you heard of SCORE? No?!

Well, let me tell you a bit about SCORE...

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a nationwide non-profit organization partnered with the U. S. Small Business Administration. SCORE's experienced executives provide free counseling to folks starting their own business and to existing business owners. The counselors are dedicated, trained volunteers who have experience in various industries such as retail, tech, and non-profit.  SCORE also offers great low cost business workshops and seminars.  

So, if you are thinking about starting or growing your business SCORE can help.  Check them out they have an office in San José as well as throughout the Bay Area.

1. We have books about business, lot's of them, in print and online
2. We have access to expensive business research databases such as Business Source Complete and Reference USA which you can access for FREE with a SJPL library card
3. We have free WiFi
4. We have small group meeting rooms that you can reserve up to 4 days in advance with your library card
5. Don't have a printer at home? No problem! Our libraries have computer access and printing
6. Get personalized business research assistance from yours truly, in person, by phone, or via email

I am sure you have heard all this stuff lately about Green Business. Maybe you are wondering, what is it and how can I make money from it? Green Business can mean starting a business that offers environmentally responsible products or services, it can mean investing in companies that are "green", or transitioning your existing business practices to eco-friendly ones.

Whichever definition you choose, there are ways to profit from Green Business.  And of course, the library has resources to help.  Here's a few:

Print, e-audio & e-book: Go Green, Live Rich : 50 Simple Ways to Save the Earth and Get Rich Trying by David Bach

Website: The Small Business Administration has put together a great resource page about Green Business

Articles: Check out our online resource Small Business Reference Center where you can find a ton of articles from journals and magazines all about Green Business

"I'm thinking about starting a small business. What resources do you recommend to help me get started?"

San José Public Library has a ton of resources in print and online to support entrpreneurs!

Check these books out:

The Small Business Start-Up Kit for California

by Peri H. Pakroo

The Small Business Bible : Everything You Need to Know to Succeed in Your Small Business

by Steven D. Strauss

Or check out our online resources...

Your First Business Plan [e-book] : a Simple Question-and-Answer Format Designed to Help You Write Your Own Plan

by Joseph Covello and Brian Hazelgren

Small Business Reference Center

has full text books and videos all about starting, growing, or rescuing a business.