Business: Small Business
This guide will assist you in doing research in the field of business.
Available in the Library
These books, plus many more, can all be found in the Reference section of our library. Search the Library Online Catalog to find additional resources.
American Bar Association Legal Guide for Small Business, 2nd edition by American Bar Association
Call Number:
REF KF 1659 .A96 2010
Entrepreneur's Information Sourcebook by Susan C. Awe
Call Number:
HF 5415.13 .C676 2013
How to Write a Business Plan by Mike McKeever
Call Number:
HD 30.28 .M3839 2012
Wall Street Journal. Complete Small Business Guidebook by Colleen DeBaise
Call Number:
HD 62.7 .D43 2009
Library Databases
These databases will be useful to you in your research:
- Ebook CentralContains over 130,000 full-text e-books in a wide variety of subjects and disciplines. There is a powerful user interface that includes highlighting, bookmarking and automatic citations.
- JSTORThis collection contains the complete archived holdings of over 1,100 scholarly, full-text journals. New titles and disciplines are added regularly.
- Gale In Context: Opposing ViewpointsContains full-text resources on current issues. This online library investigates current issues and topics from a number of perspectives.
Small Business Websites
Here are some websites that will help as you research various aspects of small business.
- Wonderful Small Business tab which gives information and tips on such things as: financing, sales and marketing, smart answers, starting a business, and much more.
- “Small business ideas for starting a business, marketing, financing, grants, work at home & internet ecommerce. Network with others who KNOW what you’re going through.”
Entrepreneur.com: the Online Small Business Authority
Online “How-to” guide for starting a small businessService Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE)
SCORE works with the Small Business Administration and is available to would-be and new entrepreneurs to guide them throughout the process of creating a small business.- “StartupNation is a free service founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs.” It covers step-by-step advice for starting a business, helpful articles, forums, local interest and professional groups, blogs and podcasts.
The Riley Guide: Steps to Starting Your Own Business
Areas include :Steps in Starting Up, Finding Help, Funding for Your Business, A Little Legalese, and Setting Up the Office- Networking tools for women business owners, and many resources and articles on planning, financing, managing, and promoting a small business.
Government Websites
- Business USA“Business USA is a centralized, one-stop platform to make it easier than ever for businesses to access services to help them grow and hire.”
- Census Business BuilderIf you need data to help decide whether to start or grow a business, this is a brand new site from the Census Bureau.
- House Committee on Small BusinessThe HCSB “strives to support new and small businesses through open access to loans, credit and capital. We advocate fair and true tax relief for small business. We work to open the lucrative federal marketplace to entrepreneurs, reduce onerous paperwork, and give small companies the tools they need to take care of their employees and build their companies. This web site is designed to provide you with important, up-to-date information on the activities of the Small Business Committee.
- Library of Congress Business Reference ServicesThe Library of Congress Business Reference Services offers a subject guide to online Business reference sources.
- Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)General information on federal government management and technical assistance programs to assist minority-owned businesses.
- Office of Women’s Business OwnershipPart of the SBA, this site offers “entrepreneurs, especially women who are economically or socially disadvantaged, are offered comprehensive training and counseling on a vast array of topics in many languages to help them start and grow their own businesses.”
- Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship“Here you will find information on actions the Senate is taking to help small businesses through legislation, hearings and oversight letters. Information on issues important to entrepreneurs is also available, as well as a survey for small business owners to tell us about their businesses, the challenges they’re facing and ways the Senate can help.”
- Small Business Administration (SBA)Information on starting, financing and expanding your business; SBA info by state; searchable. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
- United States Department of Labor (DOL)The Department of Labor (DOL) fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the United States.
- United States Small Business Association: Micro-LoansBrief information about the federal government program that “provides very small loans to start-up, newly established, or growing small business concerns.” Includes a state-by-state directory of lenders and technical assistance organization.”
Specialized Business Search Engines
- Small Business Search EngineThis SBA site lets you search across federal, state and local government sites, and retrieve information on programs, services and resources that help you start, grow and manage your small business. You no longer need to visit multiple government websites to find information you need.
- Yahoo! Small BusinessNews, tips, and articles for small business owners. Topics include getting started, marketing, online business, management, legal and financial issues. Also offers a business dictionary and web domains for small businesses.
Professional Associations
Here are some small business associations and organizations that may be of interest to you:
- American Association of Franchisees and DealersNon-profit trade association representing the rights and interests of franchisees and independent dealers.
- International Franchise Association (IFA)A membership organization of franchisors, franchisees and suppliers. Dedicated to providing a one-stop shopping experience for franchise information.
- National Association for the Self Employed (NASE)The nation’s leading resource for Micro-Business. Provides a broad range of benefits and support to help the smallest businesses succeed.
- National Business AssociationNon-profit association, specifically designed to assist the Self-Employed and Small Business Community in achieving their professional goals.”
- National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)“The nation’s largest small business advocacy group.”
- Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and IndustryThe state-wide voice of business. Contains directory of local Chambers of Commerce throughout the state.
- Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE)“Counselors to America’s Small Business. A nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE volunteers provide free, confidential face-to-face and email business counseling to America’s entrepreneurs.”
Small Business Blogs
- Blogs: The U.S. Small Business AdministrationSmall Business Association’s list of blogs.