Small Business
U.S Small Business Administration (SBA.gov) has local offices across the country.
SCORE is a non-profit organization offering free help and advice.
There are 41 Ohio Small Business Development Centers staffed by highly trained, Certified Business Advisors®. Centers provide no-cost, confidential, in-depth, one-on-one counseling for businesses that will or currently employ under 500 employees. Additional services include training, e-counseling, quality-based assessments, technical assistance, loan packaging guidance, and information on federal, state, and local regulations and programs.
The Ohio Business Gateway helps business owners find information and services to keep their businesses thriving in Ohio.
SBA’s Online Small Business Training
BizLaunch offers free webinars for entrepreneurs.
IRS.gov offers virtual small business workshops How-To Guides for Small Business from The Wall Street Journal.
Ohio State Extension Service’s economic, small business, and job development programs are tailored to meet community needs in every county. Their educational programs and other resources help local businesses with the planning process, as well as improving the skill level of potential employees and the satisfaction and productivity of current workers.
1st Stop Business Connection provides free state-level information needed to start or enhance a business. Fill out a form to receive a free business information kit that contains the basics all businesses must know and the state-level regulations and forms specifically for businesses.
The Ohio Treasurer of State offers low-interest loans for small businesses, reduced-interest loans for farmers, a list of un-used state-owned property for purchase by businesses, and more.
Ohio Business Lending Clearinghouse is a free service for Ohio small businesses, designed to improve communication and access between Ohio’s businesses and Ohio’s lending community. Ohio business loan prospects will be able to easily invite no-obligation bank reviews of their profile from multiple banks who participate in the Ohio Business Lending Clearinghouse.
Ohio Secretary of State http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/businessServices.aspx
Job Seekers
Read The Job Loss Survival Guide to understand patrons’ circumstances.
Watch Understanding Unemployment Insurance (webinar archive) so you can better prepare patrons for the process.
Help patrons take priority steps to deal with Job Dislocation.
Discover how other libraries are responding to job seeker needs:
Find Help in Tough Times (State Library of Ohio) lists links to resources in the areas of employment, financial, health and wellness, housing, parenting, and seniors.
The Job & Career Accelerator, made available for every Ohioan by the Libraries Connect Ohio partners, guides job seekers, step-by-step through the search process, from exploring occupations and current job postings to creating the tools necessary to get hired.
Find the nearest One Stop Career Center One Stop Career Center offers help with job searching skills, education and training.
Vocational Information Center is an online directory to vocational and technical careers, trade schools, and job market trends.
A resume guide can include these step-by-step instructions for converting word-processed resumes to an Electronic Resume or this advice to Make Your Resume Cyber-Safe
King County Library System http://www.kcls.org/looktoyourlibrary/
Personal Finance
Neighbor Works America provides links to financial stability information.
Get Rich Slowly has a series of videos on credit, debt, saving, and spending.
SmartAboutMoney.org by the National Endowment for Financial Education provides articles, worksheets, tips to help with life’s financial decisions.
The FDIC has Quick Links for Consumers and Communities dealing with financial issues.
AnnualCreditReport.com allows individuals to request a free annual report.
New York Public Library’s Financial Literacy Resources guide provides a list of online resources.
MyMoney.gov is the U.S. government's effort to improve financial literacy and education and provide free, reliable financial information to the American public; includes tools such as calculators, budget worksheets and checklists.
Financial Literacy Now offers instruction on a variety of family financial topics.
Money Smart - A Financial Education Program (from FDIC) consists of eleven training modules that cover basic financial topics; also available as self-paced computer-based instruction in English and Spanish.
360 Degrees of Financial Literacy (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) aims to help Americans understand their personal finances through every stage of life.
Use the Are You Financially Fit? Workbook from Florida State University, which is also available in Spanish.
Explore financial education games and simulations from the Federal Reserve.
MatchFund is an online financial tool that blends social networking technologies with tips for a solid financial life (reviewed by Newsweek).
Spendster.org has videos of ordinary people confessing their wasteful spending habits.
http://www.wisebread.com/ living large on a small budget
http://www.mymoney.gov/ is the U.S. government's website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics about financial education.