Learn how libraries are positioned to be the best partner for individuals and community-based organizations to grow the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

1. Libraries as a Partner in
the Entrepreneurial
Ecosystem
Mel Lambert - Kirkwood Public Library

2. Know Your Role in the
Ecosystem
Traditional
Ecosystem
Entrepreneurs & Support
Talent
Knowledge & Resources
Onramps
Intersections
Stories
Culture
Diversity is fundamental to
each element.
Libraries in the
Ecosystem
Libraries are home to entrepreneurs who work,
but also support entrepreneurs every day with
our resources
We have resources to help people gain skills to
keep the talent pool high
We work with partners to bring knowledge and
resources to people
We are the ultimate onramp for anyone
We have intersections of different communities
We provide stories & culture with our
programming & collections - including local
stories!
We do it all with the concept that EVERYONE is
welcome here
Kauffman Foundation Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Playbook

3. Best practices or
emerging trends or
innovations in service
delivery during COVID
Moving appointments one on one to Zoom.
Binge Bags, Toolkits, or Surprise Bags
Outdoor Computer Access
Meeting outside with masks on - boosted wifi
signals = expanded library locations
Focusing on what personal touches you can
have vs big meeting room events. Use Breakout
rooms for privacy.
Broadcasting programs on YouTube and
leaving them up for people to view later. YT
easily syncs w/ Zoom

4. Outdoor Computer
Access
This doesn't have to be fancy...I have proof.

5. Offer Personal
Touches
One-on-One Help
SHOW Them what your data can do:
Demonstrations
BAIL Presentations (Partners to help -
Banker, Accountant, Insurance,
Lawyer/Librarian)
Mentors

6. Navigating Market
Position in a Dynamic
Time
Mentors
Grow with Google
Use Your Resources: Help them find updated articles, data, &
more
Educate yourself with existing webinars from other groups:
SourceLink, Your Chamber, SBDC, Accelerators...

7. Tips for
COIVD Era
Networking
Go to Virtual Coffee Hours /
Conferences
If someone says something
interesting, private message
them and send your email
Set up meetings after for one
on one conversations, rope
in other people who you may
want to connect them with if
it seems appropriate

8. Connect on
LinkedIn
Don't just share library
information, share all the
resources you know, when
organizations you know are
having events, etc.

9. Foster
Relationships
with
Organizations
City Hall
SCORE
SBA
SBDC
Banks, Lawyers, Accountants...
Chambers
Rotaries
Colleges/Community Colleges
WBC
Nonprofit Organizations
Grow with Google

10. Embedded librarianship as a
solution to this problem.
B A R B A R A A . A L V A R E Z
"a library professional who is rooted in the business
community; a librarian who is part of the business
community instead of separate from it, who strives to
be an equal partner and have an equal voice. Small
business owners, professionals, and job seekers see the
embedded business librarian as a peer, colleague, and
fellow business community member instead of an
outsider who solely represents the library."

11. Making Them
See Us
Show Up
Reach Out

12. Work on Your
Pitch
Understand Your Strengths as a Library
Information Hub
The Great Connector
LISTEN.

13. How to Talk about
Libraries with City
Governments &
Business
Organizations
Use their language, not
library jargon
Offer to do a demonstration or
show them exactly how the
data and resources can be
used by their organizations
Offer to speak at events, lunch
& learns, etc. Don't just
promote library resources
show them what is out there!

14. What we say - what they want
This article has a snippet or a blurb
and not the full version, but the
information is still good.
Competitive Analysis, Opening a
New Location, Revenue
Forecasting, Media Planning,
Finding Your Customer
I have a Database I can show you! Market Information, Indsustry Reports,
Articles, Marketing Data
We only have an abstract of this
article...
Reference
They want to know HOW they can
use the data...
Research, Information Help, Resource
help, Business Specialist

15. What they say - what they want
Small Businesses
Demographics / Need to know my customer /
Personas / Avatar / Segmentation
Data about who their customer is. Can be
Demographic (age, income) or psychographic
(behavior - why/how they shop)
Business Prospectus
B2B or B2C
Crowd Funding
Geotargeting
Marketing Channel
ROI (Return on Investment)
Forecasting
Competitive Analysis
Business Plan
Where is my customer?
Numbers for a bank or business plan
My customer is a business or a person
When will I make a profit?
How do I fund my business?
Where should I market and advertise?
Who else is doing what I do?

16. What they say - what they want
Other Support Orgs, Government Orgs
Pivot They're looking at changing what they're doing in
some way, or the people they're working with are
Ecosystem
ESO (Entrepreneur Support Organization)
RFP
Workforce Development
White Paper / Case Study
Market Analysis
They're referring to the entrepreneurial ecosystem
An organization that supports entrepreneurs (like
a library!)
Request for Proposal
A look at the area they're in, economic
opportunities, purchase behaviors, industry.
Examples of other businesses who have made it in
that space, or products
Help individuals grow their skills

17. Resources
Here are some AMAZING resources to help you on your
journey
Urban Library Council - Entrepreneurship Toolkit
Kauffman Foundation
Ecosystem Builder Hub
Kauffman FastTrac (Business Plan Builder)
Kauffman Foundation Playbook
Kansas City Mentorship Program EBSCO Host
Statista
Embedded Business Librarianship
for the Public Librarian
by Barbara Alvarez
Census Data
o*net Online DemographicsNow
eMarketer
Nielsen
ReferenceSolutions
More Resources
Claritas Hoovers
Mergent Intellect

18. Thank You
What next?
Let me know if I can help in ANY way! If you have questions let me
know. Want to see sample presentations or programs that have
worked - I'm willing to share!
Mel Lambert
314-821-5770 ext 1025
mel@kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lambertmel/