Business Services Available Through JCL - talk given at Northwest Chamber of Commerce meeting 08.29.07

Below is an outline of the topics and websites covered in my talk at the Northwest Chamber of Commerce meeting on 8.29.07.

The services available to you as a member of the Jefferson County Library represent the best money you’ve already spent. Have you ever wished your business had a trained researcher at your fingertips? You do, at your local JCL branch. My task here today is to tell you about just a few of the many things we at the library can do for you and your business.

Am I entitled to library service?
The Jefferson County Library serves the residents of the Fox, Windsor and Northwest school districts.

Businesses can apply for a corporate card provided the owner/director is willing to accept responsibility for the activity on that card. There can be up to five users on a corporate account.

Overarching Themes:

Why reinvent the wheel? (aka “learn from the mistakes of others”)
Business plans – examples of what has been successful and what has not
Management books – there’s nothing new under the sun, someone else has faced the same issues as you, learn from what they did and didn’t do to survive.

Public Information is Your Best Friend
If the business or individual has a listed phone number, then they will be in Reference USA or in the Haines Directory.
You can create mailing lists based on geographic, financial and other criteria

EbscoHost Business Searching Interface will guide you to articles and analysis about larger companies

Missouri Secretary of State’s Corporations Division as a corporation search - http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/
Can find out if company is in good standing with the state and have access to their corporate filings such as Articles of Incorporation

SEC Edgar Database does same thing at federal levelhttp://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/webusers.htm

Missouri Case.net http://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet
Can research case records including docket entries, parties, judgments, and charges in public court. (Jefferson County is the 23rd Judicial Circuit)

Computer Classes / other events
Free opportunities for yourself or your staff to better their computer skills. Class offerings range from basic computers to Excel for the business user.
Library events can be found by visiting www.jeffersoncountylibrary.org and clicking on Calendar of Events.

Meeting Room:
Are you looking for a place to meet with clients or hold an information seminar? All three branches of the library have meeting rooms that can be reserved by outside groups. There is a reservation fee for for-profit entities along with a refreshment fee.