Building Thriving Communities: The Library’s Role in Economic Development

Abstract

Libraries play an increasingly significant role in responding to the needs of the local economy. They have the resources to survey the business community to determine what these needs are. Libraries can also form partnerships with government agencies and nonprofits that can help to foster a thriving economy. Programming and events can be targeted to assist segments of the population that have traditionally been underserved or have only limited access to the resources needed for business creation. Richland Library in Columbia, SC, and the Baltimore County Public Library are cited for the community partnerships they have formed and for their innovative programming in support of small business.

Keywords:

• community partnerships
• economic development
• entrepreneurship
• equity, diversity, and inclusion
• small
• business

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).