Take advantage of library resources for entrepreneurs, job seekers and budget-balancers.

Big Decisions, Big Support

Major undertakings like starting a new business, pursuing a new career path or managing financial obligations and opportunities have the potential to overwhelm and stop us in our tracks. But with these resources gathered by your librarians, there’s no need to panic. Start with the ideas below and you’ll be taking that first step to success.

Starting a New Business

Learn it in the classroom:
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority offers free monthly Entrepreneurship 101: Starting a Business in Fairfax County workshops. Workshops usually take place on the first Tuesday of the month and are held at 7:30 p.m. in the Cushman & Wakefield Conference Center in Tysons. Learn more and register at
bit.ly/fcpl-startabusiness101.

Research it at the library:
Scope out your market, competitors and business location using AtoZdatabases. This online resource is available free with your library card from home or any of the library branches. AtoZdatabases includes 30 million business and executive profiles and is ideal for sales leads, market research and creating mailing lists and business maps. Get started at research.fairfaxcounty.gov/az.php. 

Pursuing a New Career

Learn it in the classroom:
Virginia Career Works One-Stop Employment Centers offer resume writing and interview preparation workshops as well as career coaching, basic employment assessments and job lead assistance. The centers provide specialized career services for veterans, teens and disability recipients. Visit vcwnorthern.com to learn more.

Research it at the library:
LearningExpress Library provides an excellent set of tools for career preparation, including job searches, interview skills and networking support. Plus, you can study for occupation exams in allied health, civil service, commercial driver’s license, cosmetology, culinary arts, electrical, EMS, firefighting and many more. Sign in with your library card at bit.ly/fcpl-learningexpress.

Managing Money and Funding

Learn it in the classroom: 
The Fairfax County Financial Empowerment Center offers one-on-one financial coaching sessions, counseling on tax issues and workshops on a variety of personal finance topics including bankruptcy, college financial assistance and budgeting. Learn more at soco.financialempowermentcenters.org.

Research it at the library:
Visit the Grants Research and Training Center located at the Reston, Sherwood and Tysons-Pimmit Regional Libraries and search the Foundation Directory Online Professional and Foundation Grants to Individuals Online databases for potential grants for your business or project. These sources will give you up-to-date information on 140,000 U.S. foundations and grant makers.