New partnership between The James J. Hill Reference Library and the Association of Small Business Development Center Will Serve 1.5 Million-Plus Business Persons a Year
The James J. Hill Reference Library, the nationÂ’s premier source for publicly accessible practical business information, and the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC), today announced a partnership to open a virtual Hill Library branch in 1,000 Small Business Development Centers. Through the "virtual Hill Library," the more than 4,000 SBDC counselors nationwide will be able to access Hill Library business information resources and Hill information experts to annually serve more than 500,000 businesses, and 1.5 million entrepreneurs.
SAINT PAUL, MN (PRWEB) September 18, 2005
The James J. Hill Reference Library, the nationÂ’s premier source for publicly accessible practical business information, and the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC), today announced a partnership to open a virtual Hill Library branch in 1,000 Small Business Development Centers. Through the "virtual Hill Library," the more than 4,000 SBDC counselors nationwide will be able to access Hill Library business information resources and Hill information experts to annually serve more than 500,000 businesses, and 1.5 million entrepreneurs.
The partnership announcement was made this past week at the ASBDCÂ’s national conference held in Baltimore, MD. This year is the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Small Business Development Center program, a congressionally established business management and technical assistance program designed to aid the nationÂ’s small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Assistance typically includes all aspects of creating and managing a small business with specific emphasis on business planning, marketing strategies, and financial management.
Assistance is provided at no charge to SBDC clients through the 1,000 Centers located in cities across the United States. Through the Hill Library partnership, SBDC counselors will be able to access the LibraryÂ’s collection of business information resources and have instant access to the LibraryÂ’s professional business researchers.
SBDC counselors will access the Hill Library through a secure online Web site, available only to certified SBDC counselors and their clients. A public Web site will also be available off of the main ASBDC Web site – a preview version of the public site can be seen at www. hillsource. org/asbdc (http://www. hillsource. org/asbdc).
“SBDC counselors make the American Dream of starting and growing a business come true for hundreds of thousands of American’s each year,” said Don Wilson, CEO of ASBDC. “But to win in business today, you need accurate, timely, relevant research information and economic and business data. There is no better organization in this country than the James J. Hill Reference Library to provide SBDC counselors and their clients access to and expert assistance in finding the research information entrepreneurs and small businesses need to succeed,” added Wilson. “The strategic alliance between ASBDC and the James J. Hill Reference Library will provide SBDC counselors with many new tools to assist their small business clients. It will also allow SBDC business clients to have daily access at their businesses to Hill Library resources at a significantly reduced cost,” Wilson said.
Hill's Virtual Library Resources Continue to Impact Success of Small Businesses
According to Hill Library president Sam Richter, the partnership with ASBDC is a natural extension of the LibraryÂ’s business strategy.
“For more than 80 years, the Hill Library has had a direct impact in the success of Minnesota small businesses,” said Richter. “Three years ago, the Library Board had a vision to expand the Library’s reach nationally and through numerous online programs, we’ve grown from serving 20,000 persons per year to helping clients answer more than 400,000 business questions in 2004. Through SBDC, we’ll continue that growth by serving millions of entrepreneurs nationwide ultimately leading to their success and the success of communities across the country,” added Richter.
Through the “virtual Hill Library” SBDC counselors will have direct access to Hill Library-created business information databases, tools, and resources. The “virtual Hill Library” will include access to industry trend reports and market research data, demographic reports, marketing resources, financial calculators and resources, downloadable business plans and business forms, salary and wage information, international business resources, and more. Counselors and clients will also be able to access the Hill Library’s “Best of the Invisible Business Web Directory,” a searchable compilation of business-related Web sites that are not easily found via popular search engines.
In addition, SBDC Counselors will have direct access to Hill Library Business Information Specialists and expert reference assistance. Using the Hill Library’s virtual reference technology, a Hill Specialist is actually able to “take hold” of a user’s Web browser and conduct an information search while the counselor and client watch and learn.
SBDC counselors and clients will also have direct access to the Hill LibraryÂ’s nationally renowned business information training programs. From in-person educational seminars to online training and downloadable research guides, SBDC counselors and their clients will learn how to quickly locate credible business information and how to correctly apply that information in the planning and sales process. Small Business Development Center counselors and their clients will also receive access to other Hill Library programs, including HillResearch (www. hillresearch. org), the LibraryÂ’s professional research services.
The non-profit, private, Hill Library (www. jjhill. org) opened in 1921 and is the legacy of James J. Hill, one of the nationÂ’s key industrial leaders at the turn of the century. Besides its local and national in-person and online business reference services and offerings, the Hill Library also houses a Small Business Development Center managed by the University of St. Thomas.
About the ASBDC: The Association of Small Business Development Centers (www. asbdc-us. org) is a partnership program uniting private enterprise, government, higher education and local nonprofit economic development organizations. Founded in 1979, the ASBDC provides a vehicle for continuous improvement of the Small Business Development Center program.
About the Hill Library: The non-profit, private James J. Hill Reference Library (www. jjhill. org) houses one of the nationÂ’s most extensive collections of business reference information and the nationÂ’s top business information specialists. The 80+ year old Hill Library serves a national audience via numerous online programs and business reference/research services.
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