Workforce & Economic Development

• Public libraries have consistently proven to be one of the most equitable resources of support for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Libraries are uniquely positioned as trusted, accessible community spaces that offer not only resources like internet access, business databases, and professional development tools for free or low cost, but also inclusive environments where under-resourced entrepreneurs can build financial stability. Libraries foster innovation by providing mentorship, space for strategic thinking, and connections to local economic resources, enabling entrepreneurs, and ultimately communities, to thrive.

  Through multi-phase grant funding from the Ewing Maron Kauffman Foundation, ULC has launched several programs and resources to elevate the role of libraries as entrepreneurial support organizations. The introduction of tools such as the Business Value Calculator has allowed libraries to quantify their economic impact and demonstrate their value to local leaders, further securing support for these critical services. The Entrepreneurship Boot Camp series provided strategies for libraries to enhance the effectiveness of their entrepreneurial support services. Building on these insights, ULC introduced the new Edge 360 Libraries as Entrepreneurship Hubs benchmarks, designed to help libraries better communicate their economic and community impact in supporting small businesses. Lastly, regional ecosystem-building initiatives—such as those in Kansas City—empower libraries to collaborate, create a regional approach to entrepreneurship services, and leverage each other’s strengths.