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G2S Project Code: 2020-CT-86404
State: Connecticut
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
FERGUSON LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Elizabeth Joseph
Director Phone: 203-351-8224
Director Email: ejoseph@fergusonlibrary.org
General Information
Title: Entrepreneur in Residence
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: This year local businesses faced unprecedented challenges and opportunities as a result of the COVID crisis. The Ferguson Library“Entrepreneur in Residence” program was designed to assist 25 local startups and small business owners survive, pivot and/or thrive in this environment.  The "Entrepreneur in Residence" program (EIR) provided crucial insights and advice to local entrepreneurs who spanned the spectrum in terms of need, from opening a business to shifting product or client focus to shutting down their business. Founders interested in the program began by submitting an intake form. Their needs and goals were evaluated by the project director and then connected to our “Entrepreneur in Residence” consultant.  Our virtual program provided counseling, peer sessions and presentations from leading experts in all aspects of entrepreneurship. While the Entrepreneur in Residence provided business expertise, the library provided data, research reports and other assistance needed to complete business plans, marketing analysis, etc. 

State Goal: Libraries as Community Anchors
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$7,500.00
$0.00
$8,857.18
$16,357.18
Intent(s)
Improve users' ability to use and apply business resources.
Business & Finance
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Consultations and Peer Group Networking
Narrative:

The Entrepreneur in Residence met quarterly with each of our clients. The first meeting was an intake session followed by sessions on goal setting, review of official documentation for submission, and brainstorming sessions for marketing or other problems faced by the founder. The last session was dedicated to learning about the year long journey and necessary steps for the future.  Many founders found that four sessions were not adequate so our consultant met several founders for additional sessions. In addition to the meeting with the consultant, clients also met monthly for virtual networking with other participants of the program.


Intent: Improve users' ability to use and apply business resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 400
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
For what economic types: Unemployed
Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Black
Hispanic
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: Those trying to maintain or start small businesses during COVID


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: FERGUSON LIBRARY
Address: ONE PUBLIC LIBRARY PLAZA
City: STAMFORD
State: CT
Zip: 06904
Activity Details
Title: Information Sessions and Specialized Research Serivces
Narrative:

Given the preference for virtual meetings, we offered information sessions on zoom.  Our programs included “Direct Mail Marketing for Small Business and Integration with Digital Technologies”, “Reach More E-Commerce Customers with Expert Online Marketing Tips”, “Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster (EDIL) loans”, and “Howto Develop the Perfect Value Proposition for Your Business.” The library also played a part in the Entrepreneur in Residence program by providing much needed research assistance to our clients.


Intent: Improve users' ability to use and apply business resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 12
Average number in attendance per session: 0
Number of times program administered: 1


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Black
Hispanic
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: Those trying to maintain or start up a small business during COVID


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: FERGUSON LIBRARY
Address: ONE PUBLIC LIBRARY PLAZA
City: STAMFORD
State: CT
Zip: 06904
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Fourteen out of 25 survey respondents rated the Entrepreneur in Residence program as excellent and one rated him as good. We also found almost 100% of the survey participants rated the program 5 out 5. We learned that everyone became more aware of the library, its resources and staff as a result of this program. One client stated “It has been quite a while since the true value of libraries was brought to my attention”. The databases (Gale Entrepreneurship and Legal Forms) we purchased for this sector were well used. Both databases were used over 200 times this past year. We learned early on that our presenters did want to charge us so we were able to move those funds to our technology line which provided necessary equipment for the EIR. We found that in addition to live virtual programs, many attendees also wanted access to recording programs for future reference. We were able to provide some but not all recordings. In the future, we will record programs if all our presenters agree.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
We continue to find startups and small businesses who are interested in the EIR service. We have many who will take part in the program after the grant funding ends. The business consultant we hired invited the project director to speak about library resources at several networking events in the area. This further increased community awareness of the library’s resources. Given the need and demand for our entrepreneurship program, we will be continuing these services
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
This was an unusual year for founders but given our geographic location in the state, entrepreneurship will always be a driving force in our local economy. This reality compels us to make business services for small business and startups a core library service. This year has proved that while libraries can provide intelligence and data, we need an outside expert to help founders navigate the very complicated process of entrepreneurship. We learned that many startups and small business owners are not on the path to success after one year in the program. Many founders still need the guidance and advice of our EIR. The entrepreneurial landscape is always shifting and those who cannot afford these types of services such as many of our clients will continue to need an EIR. In the future, the salary of the consultant must meet industry standards as we cannot expect future collaborators to donate so much time.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
Yes
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: