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Related to our work with the Libraries Build Business initiative, the American Library Association Office of Policy and Advocacy wants to ascertain promising practices for libraries as they serve the target population of low-income and/or underrepresented small business owners and entrepreneurs who are seeking new business opportunities and/or need to pivot existing businesses to operate in the pandemic-challenged environment. This survey was developed to support our research into the impacts of COVID-19 on local, small businesses and entrepreneurs and how libraries can support small businesses as they pivot, adapt, or innovate. Please take a moment to respond to each question below as soon as possible prior to 11 September. We will send respondents a copy of our findings. If you have any questions, please contact Megan Janicki, Project Manager, mjanicki@alawash.org. Thank you very much for your timely response.

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* 1. In general, how would you describe the impact of the pandemic on the small business community in your area?

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* 2. Is your library currently providing services:

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* 3. How are you promoting your business services (all that apply)?

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* 4. What level of demand have you seen since March 2020 for business information and assistance to help entrepreneurs and small business owners cope with changes resulting from the pandemic?

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* 5. Who is typically designated to respond to such business inquiries (all that apply)?

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* 6. What kind of information or assistance is being requested (check all that apply)?

  We are able to provide assistance We refer the client to another source of assistance We are unable to be of help
Where to find financial assistance (government, foundation, other sources)
Where to find business mentoring assistance
How to find a business partner or buyer
How to find contract help or employees
How to find legal or accounting assistance
How to find ideas for new business ventures
How to find examples of how businesses are adapting to the pandemic
Need for use of meeting space
Need for use of technology (e.g., computers, video, podcast, etc.)
Need for use of motor vehicles

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* 7. What additional information and assistance do you wish you could provide that you cannot at this time?

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* 8. Do you follow up with clients to determine whether and how your assistance was helpful?

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* 9. What types of businesses do your clients represent (all that apply):

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* 10. Can you provide specific summaries of how you helped such clients either pursue a new venture or pivot an existing one?

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* 11. What community organizations, if any, do you collaborate with to respond to such client needs (check all that apply)?

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* 12. Please summarize how you collaborate or partner, if at all, and if this has been beneficial:

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* 13. Do clients indicate that they might be in need of other assistance (check all that apply)?

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* 14. If you check any boxes above, how did you address these needs?

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* 15. If you are comfortable responding, what are the demographic characteristics of your clients seeking assistance (all that apply)?

  Male Female Young Mid-age Senior
Black
Hispanic/Latino
Alaskan Native
American Indian
Asian
White

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* 16. Overall, is demand for business assistance right now:

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* 17. Please describe how demand for business information and assistance has changed, if at all, since prior to the pandemic (before March 2020)?

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* 18. About how many business clients have you assisted since March 2020?

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* 19. What specific needs do you have to help you and your library be more responsive to such demand?

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* 20. Do you have any other ideas or suggestions for how public libraries can better provide such assistance to the target group?

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* 21. Please provide your contact information so we can map responses and know how to follow up, if necessary.

Thank you very much for your responses!
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