How Do Public Libraries Assist Small Businesses in Rural Communities? An Exploratory Qualitative Study in Tennessee

Libri ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bharat Mehra ◽  
Bradley Wade Bishop ◽  
Robert P. Partee II
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
Information Poverty ◽  
Low Degrees

AbstractThe purpose of this qualitative study is to explore how public libraries assist small businesses in rural communities in the state of Tennessee in the United States. Tennessee’s rural residents, especially in its Appalachian counties, face debilitating economic and social challenges such as inadequate financial prospects, information poverty, unemployment and low degrees of information literacy and educational attainment. The article presents findings from interviews and focus groups with 25 public library small business liaison representatives gathering input about their needs, expectations and experiences with rural public libraries. The foci are the existing and proposed ways rural public libraries provide small business assistance and identify components of a

scholarly journals Pathways to Wellbeing: Public Library Service in Rural Communities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margo Elizabeth Gustina ◽  
Eli Guinnee ◽  
Hope Decker ◽  
Rick Bonney
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Field Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mutual Support ◽  
Rural Residents ◽  
Social Wellbeing ◽  
Positive Impacts

To answer the question ”If public libraries are a component of social wellbeing in rural communities, how are they successful?” we conducted, transcribed, coded, and analyzed interviews at eight field research sites in isolated rural communities distributed throughout the United States. If positive impacts on wellbeing are happening—as many assume—and if success is to be measured by those positive impacts—as many wish it could—it follows that a deeper investigation into the mechanisms involved will yield beneficial approaches that can be intentionally designed and implemented. Through this deeper investigation, we established how rural residents defined social wellbeing for themselves and how they describe the library’s role in that context. We found that rural residents forego access to standard amenities for access to deep social connections, natural resources, and community cultures of freedom and mutual support. We found long term multi-step supports, which we call pathways, through which libraries support wellbeing.

scholarly journals Small Business Policy Index Traction And Movement In Rankings Of States Update: 2000 To 2016

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 259-264
Author(s):  
P. K. Shukla ◽  
Monica P. Shukla
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Term Limits ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Business Policy ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities

Given the volatile economic climate faced in the United States and globally since 2015, there is a desire by politicians in 2016 to increase state economic and business growth.  As small businesses are the main driver of business growth in state economies, focus is placed upon the policy environment of a state to encourage state level growth in entrepreneurial activities aimed at small business creation and survival.The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council an advocacy and research organization dedicated to protecting small business and promoting entrepreneurship has annually prepared a “Small Business Policy Index” that ranks states according to some of the major government-imposed or government-related costs affecting investment, entrepreneurship and business.  This study presents updated results to 2016 from an original 2013 analysis of the rankings of states on the Small Business Policy Index (SBPI) from 2000 to 2016 that focuses upon three categories of states: overall ranking gainer states, those states that are stable in ranking, and overall ranking decliner states, the percentage in each category, and conclusions.  The paper also includes a rank correlation analysis of periods of time to measure the extent of traction and mobility in the SBPI state rankings. As states vary by governor length of years in their governor term and also by term limits or not on governor terms allowed there is an analysis of impact of governor years of term on changes in SBPI ranking and an analysis of impact of governor term limits on changes in SBPI ranking.

Entrepreneur assistance & economic development in Florida libraries

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 400-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Elaine Franks ◽  
Carol Johns
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Business Service ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
The Usa

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to identify essential resources that entrepreneurs need; to determine which resources and services are available at public libraries in two Florida counties; and to suggest additional ways for public libraries to increase their value and visibility among the business community. Design/methodology/approach – Information was gathered using structured and open-ended questions, using the Qualtrics survey technology provider, to obtain both quantitative and qualitative responses. Library administrators were contacted to identify relevant library staff to participate in the survey. Pasco County Library System administrators agreed to distribute the survey to their staff. Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative administrators provided email addresses of staff selected to participate. Web sites of the libraries, their counties, and their partners were also examined for additional information. Findings – The results suggest that the libraries are able to satisfy most of the requests of entrepreneurs. One exception was consulting, which was not consistently available, according to respondents, but could be offered at the library by business service organizations. Suggestions for promoting library business resources were proposed, based on survey responses and the websites of the libraries, their counties, and their business service organization partners. Research limitations/implications – This research studied key public librarians and staff employed at Pasco and Hillsborough counties in Florida. Some of the resources identified as useful for entrepreneurs in these counties may not be generalizable to communities outside the state of Florida, or outside the USA. Additionally, the survey did not explore what is not being done or what could be done if the libraries had more resources. Practical implications – This study provides information on the resources and services that public libraries provide entrepreneurs. It also offers suggestions for libraries to become more valuable and visible to their local business community. Social implications – As entrepreneurs and small businesses contribute substantially to economic development, public libraries that provide assistance to them help their communities prosper. Originality/value – This study is a collaboration between an academic reference librarian with a recent MBA degree, and an Entrepreneur Services Manager and Florida SBDC Center Director, who together provide a unique perspective and interpretive value toward promoting economic development.

Accounting and Marketing—Key Small Business Problems

1983 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Wichmann
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
The United States ◽  
Business Administration ◽  
Small Business Administration ◽  
Business Failure ◽  
Business Managers

The Small Business Administration (SBA) estimates that small businesses represent 97 percent of all businesses in the United States [5, p. 1]. The SBA defines a small business as “one that is not dominate in its field.” While the ma and pa shops fall within this definition, much larger firms are considered small under SBA criteria. The owner-managers of these small firms face unique problems—success or failure is keyed to solving these problems. Each year in the United States, some 500,000 new businesses start and 400,000 businesses discontinue operations [1, p. 47]. These discontinuances are not all due to business failure (a bankrupt firm). Some small firms are merged with larger companies, while the spark of life leaves other small firms because the owner retires without a son or daughter to take over the reins of leadership. The purpose of this article is to aid small business managers by (1) reviewing the process of beginning a business, (2) identifying some of the attributes that characterize a successful or unsuccessful small business, and (3) discussing small firms’ problems common to the frontier states of Alaska and Wyoming.

scholarly journals Do Performance Goals and Development, Feedback and Recognition, and a Climate of Trust Improve Employee Engagement in Small Businesses in the United States?

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Tywanda D. Tate ◽  
Franklin M. Lartey ◽  
Phillip M. Randall
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Performance Goals ◽  
Overall Performance

Small businesses are the predominant contributors to the U.S. economy, yet they face many challenges to remain competitive and sustainable. There are several reasons a small business could fail, including a lack of human resources, limited financial resources, competition, technological advancements, disaster, and globalization. Improving employee performance by getting them engaged and productive in their work is an issue that cannot be overlooked for small businesses to function and remain competitive. There is limited empirical evidence that explains the dimensions of performance management and employee engagement in small businesses. However, how small businesses sustain their long-term performance remains uncertain. This study sought to bring together two previously distinct constructs: overall employee engagement and overall performance management, characterized by performance goals and development, a climate of trust, and feedback and recognition. The research was correlational in nature. A survey was conducted to generate and analyze data gathered from 121 employees of small businesses located in the United States. A series of Pearson correlation analyses confirmed the existence of statistically significant positive relationships between employee engagement and each variable of performance management, namely performance goals and development, feedback and recognition, and climate of trust. Notwithstanding these positive correlations, a multiple regression model with the three performance management variables as independent variables and employee engagement as the dependent variable suggested that there was a statistically significant regression model F(3, 117) = 32.34, p < .001, R2 = .453, explaining 45.3% of the variability in employee engagement. Nonetheless, this model confirmed that the variables performance goals and development and climate of trust were not statistically significant in the model (p > .05). In other words, only the feedback and recognition variable was statistically significant in the regression model, suggesting that it explained most of the variability in engagement, including that already explained by the other two variables. Overall, the outcome of this study suggests that small businesses implementing performance management processes have more engaged employees. The conclusions drawn from these findings suggest that overall performance management and overall employee engagement contribute to small business productivity and organizational success.

scholarly journals Public Library in the United States: Sanctuary of Sciences or Social Shelter?

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Y. Neshcheret
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Home Visiting ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Order ◽  
Legal Norms ◽  
Permanent Home ◽  
The Unemployed

Based on local normative acts regulating the rules of conduct in public libraries in the United States, the author analyses the most acute problems associated with non-observance of public order and violation of legal norms by people without definite occupation and permanent home visiting reading rooms. Personnel of the American libraries is concerned with the problem of relationship with the specified category of users representing a quite significant part of the total number of visitors. Of particular concern are the incidents of drug use. Libraries are very vulnerable, as open to everyone, and users can spend there as much time as they would wish. In order to solve the problems associated with stay in library of the unemployed and homeless visitors, libraries actively cooperate with the city’s social institutions and with local police departments. Libraries have always been the guardians of humanistic values; however, today they are vulnerable to the challenges of time; they are trying to find a compromise between their duty to serve all users (regardless of their social status) and the need to maintain public order. There is required serious and responsible work on the rules governing user behaviour for solving this challenging problem. Introduction of rules for readers is dictated primarily by the objective to provide the ability for libraries to fully fulfil their mission. Created to ensure the protection of rights, interests and safety of users and library staff, the rules should be based on the current legislation to avoid ambiguity and, at the same time, to be humane, “flexible” and focused on contemporary realities.

scholarly journals Determinants of Small Business Owner Loan

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Jiameng Ma
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
The United States ◽  
Agency Cost ◽  
Cost Of Debt ◽  
Business Owner ◽  
Small Business Owner ◽  
Small Business Finance ◽  
United States Economy ◽  
Agency Cost Of Debt

Shareholders and debtholders have diverging objectives. Shareholders are residual claimants whereas debtholders are fxed claimants to frm’s assets. In leveraged frms, shareholders may increase the value of their claims at the expense of debtholders. The presence of shareholders being debtholders is a smart interest alignment, providing a solution to shareholder-debtholder conflicts. This paper focuses on small businesses, which play an important role in the United States economy but are generally neglected by academia. Utilizing National Survey of Small Business Finance (NSSBF) data, this paper shows that frms with higher agency cost of debt are more likely to issue owner loan. The incidence of small business owner loan is positively associated with external lending diffculty, low shareholder agency cost and frm valuation diffculty.

scholarly journals Small Business Entrepreneurships In The United States

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
RamMohan R. Yallapragada ◽  
Mohammad Bhuiyan
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
The United States ◽  
Small Business Administration ◽  
Efficient Operation ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
Service Information ◽  
Qualified Personnel

A small business entrepreneur is defined as an individual who establishes and manages a business for the principal purpose of profit and growth. Small businesses constitute an increasingly large proportion of businesses generally in the United States economy. They account for 39 per cent of the United States gross national product and create two out of every three new jobs in our economy. Seven important prerequisites are identified as being necessary for successfully operating a small business. These include adequate financing, qualified personnel, efficient operation and production, marketing and sales, customer service, information management and administration. One of the most significant contributors to failure of a small business relates to acquisition of adequate capital. Small Business Administration (SBA) was established by Federal Government in 1953 to provide low interest loans to small business borrowers that would not otherwise have access to credit. However, there is some criticism that these SBA programs unfairly benefit, not the small businesses, but the financial institutions that participate in the SBA loan programs. Another significant source of debt financing to small businesses is known as micro-financing, started as new wave in providing capital to small businesses by the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Muhammad Yunus, in Bangladesh.

scholarly journals The Long-Run Effect of Public Libraries on Children: Evidence from the Early 1900s

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ezra Karger
Keyword(s):  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Occupational Prestige ◽  
Compulsory Schooling ◽  
Library Construction ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Wage Income

Between 1890 and 1921, Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,618 public libraries in cities and towns across the United States. I link these library construction grants to census data and measure the effect of childhood public library access on adult outcomes. Library construction grants increased children's educational attainment by 0.10 years, did not affect wage income, and increased non-wage income by 4%. These income effects are driven by occupational choice. Access to a public library caused children to shift away from occupations like manual labor, factory-work, and mining into safer and more prestigious occupations like farm-ownership, clerical, and technical jobs. I show that compulsory schooling laws had parallel effects on children, increasing educational attainment, non-wage income and occupational prestige without affecting wage income. Economists often rely solely on wage income to measure the returns to education. But public libraries and compulsory schooling laws in the early 1900s increased educational attainment and had positive effects on children's adult labor market outcomes without affecting wage income.

IT and Collaborative Community Services

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Greene Taylor ◽  
Ursula Gorham ◽  
Paul T. Jaeger ◽  
John Carlo Bertot
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Community Services ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Collaborative Community

The role that the Internet has played in redefining the activities of public sector organizations is well-documented. What has yet to be fully explored, however, are recent collaborations among community-oriented entities (local government agencies, public libraries, and non-profit organizations) to provide enhanced services through innovative uses of information technology. These collaborative community services are enhanced by information technology, but also framed within the context of the organizations supporting the services. Using data from the 2011-2012 Public Library Funding and Technology Access Survey (PLFTAS), and drawing upon ongoing research into e-government partnerships between libraries, government agencies, and community organizations as well as community-based civic engagement initiatives, this paper will frame this issue within the contexts of local e-government in the United States; the relationship between public libraries, e-government, and the Internet; and innovative partnerships between public libraries, local government, and nonprofit entities. The article discusses both best practices and common challenges among these partnerships as a guide to future projects.

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