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Madison Public Library has a variety of services for entrepreneurs and small businesses:
- Demographic and marketing research tools like the Reference Solutions database.
- Thousands of sample business plans available online through the Gale Virtual Reference Library and in print form through the Business Plans Handbook collection.
- All of our locations provide spaces for small meetings and events.
- Access to technology: wi-fi, printers, scanners, and computers. Wi-fi and computer access are free. Printing or copying in black and white are 10 cents per page. Color prints or copies are 50 cents per page.
Central library offers:
- Over a dozen meeting spaces to use
- Room rentals for large events
- Graphic design tools
The library works with partners to offer classes for: business, job skills, and technology. We also host service providers that offer business, career, and legal advice. And, of course, we have books and e-books on a variety of business topics. To learn more, fill out the form and connect with a Business Librarian.
*Library databases will require your library card number.*
Databases
A multi-volume collection of actual business plans compiled by entrepreneurs seeking funding for small businesses throughout North America. | more info Details and instructions for Business Plans Handbook
Full-text (or abstracts) of articles from thousands of scholarly and professional publications, academic journals, and trade magazines. | more info Details and instructions for Business Source Premier
Punto de acceso a bases de datos de EBSCOhost españolas. | more info Details and instructions for EBSCO Español
EBSCOhost includes thousands of indexed magazines, many full-text, for over fifteen years. Magazine coverage ranges from the popular to the academic. Also includes electronic content on business, medical information, and much more. | more info Details and instructions for EBSCOhost
Information about national and international organizations in categories such as trade, business, and commercial; legal, governmental, public administration, and military; cultural; educational; veterans, hereditary, and patriotic; athletic and sports; fan clubs, and many more | more info Details and instructions for Encyclopedia of Associations 2023 (Gale Directory Library)
Explore this database of encyclopedias and reference sources, including Business Plans Handbook and more. For multidisciplinary research. | more info Details and instructions for Gale eBooks and Business Plans Handbook
Presents comparative business statistics with data and market description, a list of producers/products along with their market share, and cites original sources | more info Details and instructions for Market Share Reporter (Gale Directory Library)
Powerful business and consumer research database, offering business and residential listings useful in searching for people, executives, creating marketing plans, conducting competitive analysis, fundraising and sales. | more info Details and instructions for Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA)
Websites
Census and demographic information from the US Census Bereau. | more info Details and instructions for American Community Survey
Determine the best location for your business using Census data. | more info Details and instructions for Census Business Builder (CBB)
Access all data and digital content (e.g., demographic and economic data) from the U.S. Census Bureau. | more info Details and instructions for data.census.gov (formerly American FactFinder)
Data, tools, and resources for research, web and mobile applications, and data visualizations. | more info Details and instructions for Data.gov
Find the North American Industry Code for industry-level data. | more info Details and instructions for NAICS search
Free entrepreneurship learning from the Small Business Development Center. | more info Details and instructions for SBDC National Information Clearinghouse
Resources for starting, financing, and managing a small business. Try the Small Business Administration's Learning Center for self-paced free online business and entrepreneurship topics. | more info Details and instructions for Small Business Administration
Directory of manufacturers. A librarian can provide a login for use in the library. | more info Details and instructions for ThomasNet
Locate licensed businesses, partnerships, and companies in Wisconsin, also known as Corporate Registration Information Service (CRIS). | more info Details and instructions for Wisconsin Corporate Records
Local Data and Online Business Tools
Offers demographics, associations, plans, businesses, profiles, and maps. | more info Details and instructions for City of Madison Neighborhoods
Catalog of open data sets and visual tools from the City of Madison. | more info Details and instructions for City of Madison Open Data
The UW-Madison Extension's Community Food Systems Program focuses on supporting food entrepreneurs. | more info Details and instructions for Food Business Development at UW Extension
Find the requirements and tools you need to start a business in Wisconsin. | more info Details and instructions for Wisconsin One Stop Business Registration Portal
Information for tech businesses on incubators, networking and capital. | more info Details and instructions for Wisconsin Technology Council Entrepreneur's Toolkit
Local Support for Entrepreneurs and Businesses
Provides services and assistance to businesses in the city. | more info Details and instructions for City of Madison Office of Business Resources
at UW-Madison's Memorial Library. | more info Details and instructions for Grants Information Collection
The Madison Cooperative Development Coalition (MCDC) is the City of Madison-funded initiative to form worker cooperatives that address income inequality and racial disparities by creating living-wage union jobs. | more info Details and instructions for Madison Cooperative Development Coalition
Links to and a map of neighborhood business associations. | more info Details and instructions for Neighborhood Business Associations
Steenbock Library is a designated Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC). Patent librarians provide patent and trademark information and searching assistance for the general public and the UW-Madison community. | more info Details and instructions for Patent and Trademark Library UW (+research guide)
Provides classes and counseling for new and existing small businesses. | more info Details and instructions for SCORE Madison
at UW-Madison offers resources, paid classes, and the free Business Answer Line. | more info Details and instructions for Small Business Development Center @ UW
Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation offers business classes and lending. | more info Details and instructions for WWBIC
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Cooperative Businesses
Check out the Madison Cooperative Development Coalition for starting a cooperative business.
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Digital Inclusion
Resources for Wi-Fi, tech support, access to devices, and more.