Starting a new business or looking to grow your own? The library can help! From valuable resources to conduct market research and build a business plan to free meeting spaces and public computers to small business classes, the library is your one-stop-shop for your business needs. Print or fax needed documents and get help on finding out which permits are needed to get your business off the ground. Whatever your entrepreneurial needs, the library is your #1 business partner! Our librarians have compiled this list of small business resources for your convenience. These resources have been evaluated by our librarians as valid and reliable sources of information. Any external sites (not directly provided by Bossier Parish Libraries) are not associated with or sponsored by Bossier Parish Libraries.
Digital Library Resources
A library card is required to access these databases.
Business Searching Interface
Provides an easy way to both browse and search for economic data, company profiles, industry information and market research.
Gale Courses
Gale Courses offers a wide range of highly interactive, instructor led courses that you can take entirely online, including nineteen unique course offerings for owning your own business. Courses run for six weeks and new sessions begin every month.
Gale Presents: Udemy
An online learning platform for adults who want to improve work-related skills or further develop a personal interest. Users can search through more than 4,000 continuously updated, on-demand video courses across 75 categories in business, technology, design, and more. All courses are taught by world-class instructors and offer a tailor-made learning experience for those who want to learn new technologies and skills to stay competitive in a changing workforce.
Learning Express Library
Instantly scored licensing, certification, and aptitude practice tests, online career preparation, and vital information for a wide variety of occupations.
Legal Forms
The most extensive legal forms site available to library patrons has thousands of legal forms. Provides official state-specific, federal, business, personal, real estate, and general forms covering hundreds of legal subjects and issues.
Legal Information Reference Center
Top consumer legal reference books and contains more than 310 full-text publications and thousands of legal forms.
Mango Languages
With more than 70 languages and over 20 English courses designed from the perspective of the learner’s native language, Mango Languages offers a rich, immersive experience that includes intuitive language and culture lessons designed by linguists and voiced by native speakers. Mango Languages is accessible in the library and at home using a computer or apps for iOS and Android phones and tablets.
Small Business Reference Center
Up-to-date information on relevant topics from starting a company, operations management and sales, to growing or rescuing a business. This database contains nearly 400 full-text periodicals and over 450 full-text reference books.
Other Online Resources
Better Business Bereau
The Better Business Bureau (BBB), founded in 1912, is a private, nonprofit organization whose self-described mission is to focus on advancing marketplace trust.
Internal Revenue Service
The IRS provides tax information, tools, and resources for businesses and self- employed.
Louisiana Department of Revenue
Tax resources for Louisiana businesses, including applications to register your business, tax forms, and frequently asked questions.
Louisiana Economic Development
Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for strengthening the state's business environment and creating a more vibrant Louisiana economy.
Louisiana Small Business Association
Louisiana Small Business Association (LSBA) is a non-profit trade association representing the interests of small businesses in the state of Louisiana. It is LSBA’s mission to serve as a trusted resource, protecting the interests of Louisiana small business owners. We are committed to providing our members with the tools and education necessary to operate their business.
SCORE Association
SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals.
Small Business Administration
The SBA connects entrepreneurs with lenders and funding to help them plan, start and grow their business.
Community Partners
Bossier Chamber of Commerce
The Bossier Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote growth and development within the communities of Bossier and Caddo Parish.
Cohab
Cohab is a non-profit hub providing entrepreneurs at all levels the traction to achieve success.
Launch Network
Launch Network’s mission is to help small businesses thrive across North Louisiana. We provide entrepreneurs and small business owners with free, easy access to the vital assistance, resources, and information they need—when they need it.
Louisiana Small Business Development Center
The Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC Network) provides low- or no-cost guidance and training for small business owners and potential owners. Site locations at: SUSLA and BPCC.
Books Available at the Library
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Legal Forms for Starting & Running a Small Business
View Catalog EntryLegal Forms for Starting and Running a Small Business gives business owners the forms they need to get a business off the ground without expensive legal fees. It includes forms for forming a business, hiring employees or contractors, leasing space, borrowing money, and much more. All forms are completely customizable and come with clear plain-English instructions.
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J.K. Lasser's Small Business Taxes 2021
View Catalog EntryTaxes remain one of the biggest headaches and costs for small businesses around the United States. J.K. Lasser's Small Business Taxes 2021 delivers an approachable but expert guide in legally limiting your tax liabilities while maximizing your deductions and credits. You'll be in great hands as Barbara Weltman - attorney, expert, and author - shows you what tax relief is available to you and how to claim it.
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Twelve and a Half
View Catalog EntryIn his sixth business book, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and investor Gary Vaynerchuk explores the twelve essential emotional skills that are integral to his life—and business—success and provides today’s (and tomorrow’s) leaders with critical tools to acquire and develop these traits.
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Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business
View Catalog EntryThis book is for current and aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as managers and other key small business employees, who want a practical and comprehensive guide to business laws without paying a fortune in legal fees. It helps owners and managers successfully start and run a small business, from raising startup money to protecting personal assets to negotiating leases and contracts.
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Contracts
View Catalog EntryThis is the only book that explains contract terms to nonlawyers. Life has become an endless series of contracts--this is the manual. Bite-sized legal bits of wisdom: always fresh.
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How to Start Your Own Business
View Catalog EntryAre you looking to start a business? You'll need advice on how to identify your customer, what pitfalls to anticipate, and how best to spend your time and money to turn your idea into a profitable venture. This insightful business book takes you through everything from balancing the books to building a brand. It inspires you to take that giant leap towards making your entrepreneurial dreams come true.
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Tax Savvy for Small Business
View Catalog EntryThis book teaches business owners what they need to know about taxes for their small business and how to make the best tax-related decisions in all aspects of their business. It is completely updated to cover new changes to the tax laws under the recently enacted CARES Act, including short-term changes to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act intended to help small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
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The Small Business Start-Up Kit
View Catalog EntryEverything you need to venture into self-employment, whether you're a freelancer or a business aiming to scale. From business planning to bookkeeping to marketing and more, The Small Business Start-Up Kit has you covered.
Launch Network Top 10 Books for Entrepreneurs
Launch Network’s mission is to help small businesses thrive across North Louisiana. We provide entrepreneurs and small business owners with free, easy access to the vital assistance, resources, and information they need—when they need it. They have identified a list of Top 10 Books for Entrepreneurs and we're happy to partner with them to make these titles available to you through the library.