business services

“We’re starting a van conversion business. It’s amazing the capabilities Mark Pond has at the library. He shows how anyone can use big data and the library’s resources to their advantage in creating a business plan. Now we have our first client.” – Matt Mitchell, Entrepreneur

START OR GROW A BUSINESS

If you want to start a business, Spokane Public Library is the one-stop-shop to get connected with all things entrepreneurial around the Spokane region. Spokane Public Library has one of the best business reference collections of any public library in the nation. Get the info you need to launch or grow your business: demographics, industry trends, market research, and more.

1-ON-1 SUPPORT

Give your business or start-up the cutting edge with free business development support from Spokane Public Library. Mark Pond, Business Librarian, is the RUSA Business Librarian of the Year for 2021, and he can help make your business a success.

IT'S BUSINESS TIME

The Business Lab at Spokane Public Library should be your first step when starting a new business. Hear from local entrepreneurs on how the Business Lab has helped them launch their successful ventures.

THE LATEST FROM THE BLOG

Library Giving Day is April 1! No Joke!

Spokane Public Library Foundation is raising funds through participation in Library Giving Day, a nation-wide effort to support public libraries. This one-day online fundraising event

StartUp Spokane and SIMBA Team Up to Bring More Business Events and Resources to Entrepreneurs

Big news for Spokane entrepreneurs! StartUp Spokane (powered by Spokane Public Library and Spokane County Library District) and the Spokane Independent Metro Business Alliance (SIMBA)

Resolutions to Reality: How the Library can help you Thrive in 2025

As we step into the new year, it is the perfect time to reflect on the past, celebrate our achievements and personal growth, learn from

DATA AXLE REFERENCE SOLUTIONS

Reference Solutions has vital information on every business & consumer in the United States & Canada, helping researchers find valuable sales leads, conduct market research or competitive analysis, and do effective marketing and outreach.

EBSCO BUSINESS SOURCE COMPLETE

Full-text journals for business, including marketing, management, accounting, and economics, as well as detailed information on public and private companies, with a new topical interface.

FOUNDATION DIRECTORY PROFESSIONAL

A searchable directory of grantmakers, grants, and grant recipients by subjects and locations that can help nonprofits and individuals seeking funding, scholarships, or fellowships find and connect with funders. Note: Only available on computers at all library locations.

GALE BUSINESS: ENTREPRENEURSHIP

A comprehensive database that covers all aspects of starting and operating a business, including accounting, finance, human resources, management, marketing, tax, and more.

GALE BUSINESS: INSIGHTS

Research global companies and industries with in-depth analysis through current news, statistical data, and comprehensive reports.

GALE PRESENTS: UDEMY

Learn and improve skills across business, tech, design, and more. Includes 6,000+ on-demand video courses in multiple languages.

IBISWORLD

700+ detailed market and industry reports for the United States including SWOT analyses, financial ratios, and more. Note: Only available on computers at Central Library.

LEARNING EXPRESS

Find job search and workplace skills improvement; reading, writing, math, and basic science skill building; career certification and license exam prep; high school equivalency, college, and grad school entrance test prep.

LEGAL GPS

Legal GPS is a gamified platform that helps new and existing businesses “do legal” without having to hire a lawyer.

LINKEDIN LEARNING

Choose from thousands of online courses to learn in-demand skills from real-world industry experts. Get started for free with your library card.

LIVEPLAN

LivePlan simplifies business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking for small businesses and startups. Just fill in the answers presented and LivePlan does the heavy lifting for you.

PITCHBOOK

Research and analyze companies, deals, funds, investors and service providers across the entire private investment lifecycle.

PLACER.AI

Placer provides location analytics including visit trends, trade areas, demographics, customer segmentation, and more.

RMA STATEMENT STUDIES

Access to financial benchmarking figures including standards for balance sheet and income statement line items, as well as numerous industry average ratios.

STATISTA

Statistics and market reports on over 80,000 topics arranged by business market sector. Note: Only available on computers at Central Library.

VALUE LINE LIBRARY RESEARCH CENTER

Value Line’s comprehensive research center not only evaluates U.S. stocks, this expanded version also features mutual funds, options, and weekly investment and economic reports.

WASHINGTON STATE LEGAL FORMS

Official Washington State and federal business, personal, real estate, and general legal forms.

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Get Started

Downloads & Streaming

Can't Find it?

Language

Locations

Kiosks

Other Access

Closures

Upcoming Events

Events by Age

Trending Now

Services

Genealogy & Local History

Language

Career & Economic Success

Creating & Making

Research & Learn

Homework Help

Online Courses

Partnerships

Kids & Teens

Homework Help

Teachers

Library Information

Partners

Library Organization

Support the Library

Connect with Us

business services

START OR GROW A BUSINESS

1-ON-1 SUPPORT

IT'S BUSINESS TIME

THE LATEST FROM THE BLOG

RESEARCH TOOLS

DATA AXLE REFERENCE SOLUTIONS

EBSCO BUSINESS SOURCE COMPLETE

FOUNDATION DIRECTORY PROFESSIONAL

GALE BUSINESS: ENTREPRENEURSHIP

GALE BUSINESS: INSIGHTS

GALE PRESENTS: UDEMY

IBISWORLD

LEARNING EXPRESS

LEGAL GPS

LINKEDIN LEARNING

LIVEPLAN

PITCHBOOK

PLACER.AI

RMA STATEMENT STUDIES

STATISTA

VALUE LINE LIBRARY RESEARCH CENTER

WASHINGTON STATE LEGAL FORMS

Upcoming events