The Library can turn your business dreams into reality

| September 27, 2019 1:00 AM

Starting a business can be overwhelming. It is one thing to have an exciting idea, but quite another to know what to do next. If you are kicking around a start-up concept, your initial steps may be to The Library.

Most people probably know that they can find thousands of resources at The Library, but that is another overwhelming proposition.

“Who has the time to pore through a hundred books or databases to find what they’re looking for...if they even know what they’re looking for,” Vanessa Velez, The Library’s collection development and cataloging specialist said.

“Our staff know our collection, our community resources, and how to conduct research. People can come to us in the dream stage of their business and we can help them find the resources to take the next steps.”

Not only can start-ups look to The Library, but established businesses may be overlooking a valuable resource for addressing some of their business pain points.

Here are a few examples of what you can find at the library:

• Business directories and databases:

Find industry-specific reference materials with information on associations, journals, trade shows, and more. Business Directories equip you to build targeted sales and marketing lists and scope out your competition. Find business plan templates, accounting methods, employee best practices, and more in the Small Business Reference Center in the Digital Library at ebonnerlibrary.org.

• Office services

Office services such as print, copy, scan, and fax, plus WiFi and desktop computers equipped with internet, Micro-soft Office Suite, and other software. There may be a small fee to cover printing costs, but it is less expensive than a designer coffee. Librarians can help with connectivity issues, familiarity with new applications, and other simple technical questions.

• Legal research

From inside The Library you can access LexisNexis, a legal resources database made available through a partnership with the Bonner County commissioners. The Small Business Reference Center also contains legal information on patents, filings, and other important documents.

• Prototype design

Take one of our monthly 3D Printing collaborative workshops held at the Sandpoint or Clark Fork Libraries, then download the free software on your office computer. Design a prototype and submit your order to The Library to be printed on one of our 3D printers for the cost of the filament.

• Marketing

The community meeting rooms are busy with independent and library-sponsored meetings and events. These are great occasions for networking or event sponsoring. Find social media tutorials in Niche Academy, a green tab found on the right side bar on our website. The Small Business Reference Center has tons of marketing resources.

• Professional development for yourself and your staff

Find an ever-changing schedule of classes and workshops in our Events calendar at eBonnerLibrary.org.

Learn a new language, Adobe PhotoShop and InDesign, Microsoft Office Suite applications and more from your desk with our Digital Library databases.

Use virtual reality to study anatomy, oceanography, chemistry, art, nature, astronomy, math, and calculus in our new Explore VR room at the Sandpoint Library.

All of our library staff are helpful, friendly, and skilled at research. They can help you find the shortest distance between your question and the answer.

Whatever you are looking for, even if you are not sure what you are looking for, step into The Library to kick off your next adventure.

The following classes and events take place at the East Bonner County Library District Sandpoint Branch, 1407 Cedar St. unless otherwise indicated.

East Bonner County Library District schedule

- Fridays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Fridays — RPG and MAC (Role Playing Games and Manga/Anime Club) for Teens, 3-5 p.m., in the Innovia Foundation Community Room B. Teens play Magic the Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, and other RPGs. Celebrate fandom at The Library. Read, write, and watch your favorite manga and anime with other enthusiasts. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Friday, Sept. 27 — Firefighter Storytime, 3:15 p.m., in Karen’s Room. Come to storytime, then visit the firetruck outside! Info: 263=6930 ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Friday, Sept. 27 — Teen Special Programming, Selkirk Fire Rescue & EMS, 4 p.m.; emergency staff from Selkirk Fire Rescue & EMS will present information and experiences geared to teens. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturdays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 2-4 p.m.; reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Monday, Sept. 30 — Open play, roller coasters; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Karen’s Room. This is a drop-in STEM-inspired “What can you build?” challenge. Younger children should have a parent present. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Monday, Sept. 30 — Planet Investigations for Kids, 3:30 p.m., in the Rotary Teen Lounge/Multipurpose Room. Come learn about the planets through scientific exploration. Geared to elementary school aged kids. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Mother Goose, 10 a.m. in Karen’s Room. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 years old and their caregivers with stay & play until 10:40 a.m. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Clark Fork Mother Goose, 10:15 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch library; stories, rhymes, and music for toddlers and their caregivers followed by 20 minutes of play time. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Tuesdays — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m., in Karen’s Room. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Clark Fork Storytime, 11 a.m., Clark Fork branch library. Stories, music, and crafts geared to ages 3-8. All welcome. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Tuesdays — Explore virtual reality (drop-in sessions), 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Youth under 10 years old must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: Tech Desk, 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays and Thursday, Now-Oct. 3 — Loom Knitting, 3:30-4:45 p.m. in Karen’s Room. Registration is required for the four-part series. Free family fun; third- through sixth-grade students will make a knitted hat to keep. Information/registration: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesdays — Teen Lounge Passive Pop-Up Programs, 3 p.m. in the Rotary Teen Lounge as space permits. Teen-driven art, engineering, robots, and science projects and workshops. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Friday, Sept. 27 — Firefighter Storytime, 3:15 p.m. in Karen’s Room. Come to storytime, then visit the firetruck outside. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Friday, Sept. 27 — Teen special programming, Selkirk Fire Rescue & EMS, 4 p.m. Emergency staff from Selkirk Fire Rescue & EMS will present information and experiences geared to teens. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Teen Lounge — Open to seventh-12th graders from any school/homeschool; Tuesdays-Thursdays until 6 p.m., and Fridays until 5 p.m. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org, or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy “Knuffle Bunny” by Mo Willems at Dover City Park and “School’s First Day of School” by Adam Rex at McNearney Park. Read, connect, and get outside at a StoryWalk, a partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. For more information, visit Facebook.com/BonnerStoryWalk.

- Now through Sunday, Dec. 1 — Clark Fork Autumn Reading Program — for all ages. Read between Sept. 1 and Dec. 1 and record the name of each book, full magazine, or book on tape with the author’s name. For each completed item, earn a library bidding dollar for use in the Holiday Silent Auction held on Dec. 6 and 7. Information: 208-266-1321.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208- 208-208-263-6930, ext. 1204.