This project was designed to support the FCPL’s Strategic Plan goals. It focused on innovation goals, supporting the objective of implementing new methods of marketing services to expand library use. It supported the strategic focus on civic engagement by exploring and maintaining strong partnerships with community organizations and agencies, and the One Fairfax objective of equity by ensuring the opportunity to fully participate in the region’s economic vitality of all residents regardless of their demographics.

Ignite! featured the goals of advocacy, awareness, and equity. Each session was led by an expert on the topic from the community, with time devoted for Library staff to highlight resources and research methods that available at FCPL. This aspect of the program ensured that the library was a central and essential partner with local businesses finding their way. It offered a unique opportunity for FCPL to center itself in the business community by partnering with a variety of local experts in the community.

Ignite! was designed before the Covid Pandemic. It was proposed as an in-person, eight session program for 20 participants. The pandemic changed that, with great results! The program was conducted virtually and this allowed for a larger capacity. The program made the process of opening and managing a new business exciting and less scary. It achieved the goal of providing an opportunity for current business owners to reflect on ways they can innovate, reinvent where necessary and continue to grow their business.