Wouldn't it be helpful to have demographic information for the area surrounding your business? Or perhaps you'd like to find areas in the country that would likely benefit from the products and services your business offers. SimplyMap, a database available from Skokie Public Library can help.
What is the type of information you can find on SimplyMap?
All this information can be mapped or graphed for municipalities, zip codes or even down to the block.
This can be useful when choosing a location for a new business, or when looking for an area to target for an ad campaign.
If you need quick access to a legal or business form then check out the following resources:
Legal Forms from Thomas Gale Provides a collection of small business forms and a wide selection of state-specific (and multi-state) legal forms. Includes real estate contracts, sales agreements, credit contracts, sample letters and much more.
FormNet from Entrepreneur.com This site contains a collection of free customizable business forms covering topics such as accounting, human resources, inventory, office management, sales, shipping and more.
Essential Government Forms from Business.gov A collection of state and federal forms provided by the official small business site of the US government, these forms cover tax, employment, incorporation and other government related topics.
Search through a selection of business and legal forms at this site ranging from checklists to sample legal contracts. Available as PDFs and Word documents.
Reference USA allows you to create lists of businesses that match a certain criteria. Limit by size, number of employees, and location in order to download a list of businesses in a spreadsheet format.
BooksSkokie Library has a large collection of books on a variety of business topics. The latest management books along with guides to help you run a small business are all available at the Library and can be checked out with a library card. This page contains a selection of some of the newer titles or use the library catalog to browse the complete collection.
The Library subscribes to a large selection of periodicals and newspapers including Crain's Chicago Business, Investors Business Daily, The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Inc., and Fortune Small Business. Older articles can be retrieved using Factiva, LexisNexis, or our other subscription databases.
There are many computers throughout the library building with Microsoft Office applications, Internet access, and links to the Library's subscription databases. Call the computer lab at 847.324.3179 to reserve one of the computers.
For help there are two databases Atomic Learning and LearningExpressLibrary.com that contain online tutorials on some of the most popular computer applications. Check these out on the Library Database page.
Free wifi is available throughout the building. Bring your own laptop, or borrow one if you have a Skokie Library card.
There are Internet classes and Tech Talks available at the library too.
A special collection of small business titles are available in the Small Business Reference Collection on the 2nd floor of the Library. These books contains legal and business forms, purchasing guides for office equipment, guides for writing business and marketing plans and much more.
Small Rooms for Meetings or Study
There are several small rooms on the second floor that you may use to meet with clients, conduct business, or use as your office away from home. Call the Computer Lab staff at 847.324.3179 to reserve one of these study rooms.
The Library subscribes to a number of databases that are helpful to a small business owner. These databases go beyond what can be found on the Internet and can assist a business in designing a marketing plan, creating mailing lists, or doing basic research. These databases can be found on the Database page of the Library website and are available at Skokie Public Library or via the Internet with a Skokie Public Library card.
To get a Skokie Public Library card you or your business must reside in Skokie. Contact the library at 847-673-7774 for more information via email
Librarians can help you with your research requests. For assistance:
Skokie Public Library
5215 Oakton
Skokie, IL 60077
847-673-7774
askref@skokielibrary.info
One of the best ways to 'get known' in business is to join your local Chamber of Commerce. At Skokie Chamber of Commerce events you can network with other business owners and find business leads. Chamber events can be useful. This is where you'll find local talent, just like yourself, who are there to enjoy the company of fellow business owners. New services and technologies, as well as information and a lot of entertainment abound in a 'Greeters' meeting at any given location.
Skokie Chamber of Commerce
5002 Oakton Street
Skokie, Illinois 60077
847.673.0240
Fax: 847.673.0249
info@skokiechamber.org
If you are trying to market to a particular industry and you need to get a run down on relevant details then you may want to run a report from First Research.
First Research contains industry reports for more than 600 business sectors such as Engineering, Dry Cleaning Facilities or Insurance Carriers.
Each industry reports contains an industry overviews along with recent developments, and an industry forecast and rating. Reviewing a report can get you up-to-date quickly so you can be prepared and aware of importantindustry issues when interacting with companies.
On the right is a sample of the Fast Facts section for the Framing Contracting Industry.
First Research is available free at one of the many research computers at Skokie Public Library or via the Internet with a Skokie Public Library card.
A monthly magazine for small business owners that contains stories on small business management, marketing and business opportunities.
Many articles are available on the website entrepreneur.com along with small business blogs and videos that deal with key small business issues.
The tightening of credit in the economy has made it difficult for a growing number of smaller companies to meet payroll and fulfill customer orders, while still others have been forced to lay off workers. In these tough economic times of falling demand, impatient creditors, tight credit and fierce...
Want to attract more customers today, keep them tomorrow, and make far more money? You need killer new marketing techniques to attract and engage customers online better than ever before!
e-Riches 2.0 will show you examples of how to rethink and remake everything you do online-without missing a day of...
A collection of proven tools and tactics woven together in a step-by-step marketing system that shows small business owners exactly what to do to market and grow their businesses.
This book covers what small-business owners need to know before calling a lawyer, such as choosing a business structure, taxes and the IRS, employees, independent contractors, and much more.
Pricing a product or service can make or break a small business. 'Pricing Strategies for Small Business covers the many different pricing strategies and helps readers to determine which methods are best for their small businesses.
Reduce your tax burden with the only "know how" guide to deductions for professionals. WINNER of the Publishers Marketing Association's Benjamin Franklin Award If you're ready to hold on to more of...
An encyclopedia for running a small business covering topics such as market research, leases and licensing, writing a business plan, securing financing, record keeping, pricing, ...
It's a tough question that you've undoubtedly faced as a potential buyer or seller of a small business. However, it doesn't have to be. This book takes the mystery out of small business valuation so...
What Are "Loops"? Loops are the essential keys to success in any small business. They are the relationships you build. The services you perform. The products you deliver. If you want to thrive in today's economy, you need to close all the loops.
A hands-on tool for conducting the successful, profitable sale of a business As business owners gray, trends have shown that they start thinking of cashing out. Selling Your Business For...
The sixth edition of this guide to marketing your own business has been expanded to include current marketing trends on the Internet. Patten, who is the head of his own marketing agency in the UK, instructs novice business owners on how to develop a...
A guide to help manage problem employees and the related legal issues. Topics discussed include: legal rules, performance evaluations, progressive discipline, complaints and investigations, how to fire an employee and the associated consequences, including compensation, insurance, severance, and releases.
Sams Teach Yourself Linkedln® in 10 Minutes offers straightforward, practical answers when you need fast results. Learn everything you need to know...
Venture capitalist and entrepreneur Guy Kawasaki, the author of the bestselling The Art of the Start, has compiled his best wit, wisdom, and contrarian opinions to show listeners how to ignore fads and foolishness while sticking to commonsense practices.
Both beginning and seasoned entrepreneurs need "401 Questions Every Entrepreneur Should Ask," an invaluable, comprehensive reference resource.
