Are you a budding entrepreneur, small business owner or looking to start or grow in your career? Then KBLIC is the place for you! Enjoy a space for networking and small business meetings. Use our print and electronic resources to research your industry, find customers, and better understand how to market your business. Put the power of the BPL to work for you, ask one of our skilled librarians to connect you with a local mentor or small business professional to help guide you to success.

KBLIC Small Business Advisors

• Schedule an appointment with a Boston Business Mentor for small business guidance.
• Do you have a small business legal question? Book a 60-minute in-person timeslot with a pro bono lawyer from Foley Hoag LLP. Get help with your Business Entity Formation, Contracts, Funding, or Intellectual Property questions. Appointments are on the 2^nd Friday of the month from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Online Resource Tools for Small Business Success:

• Review sample business plans with the Gale Virtual Reference Library
• Find customers with AtoZdatabases
• Research your competitors and research industry trends with Mergent Intellect
• Find company and industry information as well as market analyses for emerging markets with EMIS Intelligence
• Find grants and fundraising resources with Foundation Directory Online Professional
• Check out our extensive collection of small business startup eBooks and audiobooks

Financial Education

KBLIC is here to help you learn how to manage your money, make sure you have enough saved for retirement, and invest it well. Any questions about budgeting, debt, or insurance? Fill out the Ask a Financial Literacy Librarian form to get all your financial education questions answered!

KBLIC Financial Programs

• KBLIC has teamed up with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to offer a free tax preparation drop-off service from January 24 to April 4 on Saturdays, 10:00 am-4:00 pm.
• Attend one of our monthly Personal Budgeting classes presented by the City of Boston Credit Union.
• Register for one of Babson Financial Literacy Project’s online classes in their ongoing series touching on different financial topics each session, from buying a car to managing your credit.
• Find one of our many other events!

Online Financial Literacy Resources

• Screen and find analysis on mutual funds with Morningstar Investment Research Center
• Research companies and follow stock market data with our Bloomberg Terminal
• Read a book from one of our curated Booklists.
• Find these resources and more in our Money & Finance Research Guides

Do you have an invention you’d like to patent, or a logo you want to find out how to trademark? Take advantage of the resources available to you from our Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC). KBLIC is part of a nationwide network of public, state, and academic libraries designated by the United States Patent Office (USPTO) to support the public with trademark and patent assistance. Our space has trained staff to help guide you through the Intellectual Property process.

Resource Tools for Inventors’ Success:

• Get a free legal services consultation from a Libenzon & Associates Attorney
• Email us to book a 1-on-1 Patent & Trademark Reference Appointment
• Guidance on conducting a prior art search with the USPTO’s Patent Public Search
• Find these resources and more on our Intellectual Property Research Guide

KBLIC offers a suite of resources to help nonprofits and individuals find grant money for their projects.

Key Funding Your Project Resources:

• Candid search (formerly known as Foundation Directory and GuideStar)
  Foundation Directory and GuideStar have evolved into Candid, bringing trusted data and enhanced research tools
  together in one streamlined platform. Built on decades of comprehensive data, Candid provides a more complete
  view of nonprofit activity and funder behavior designed to support due diligence, market analysis, partnerships,
  and strategic decision making.
• Take a nonprofit essentials webinar training via LinkedIn Learning

View Candid's 2023 Nonprofit compensation Report from the Boston Public Library's Central Library at Copley Square. Benchmark with the latest data to establish appropriate compensation with the latest nonprofit salary trends you can trust.

Finding a job can feel overwhelming. Let KBLIC help you navigate the job search process!

• Enroll in the Google Career Certificate Program , opens a new windowto prepare for a career in data analytics, digital marketing & e-commerce, project management, and more!
• Try out LinkedIn Learning’s online classes, opens a new window. These videos can help you keep your skills relevant in an ever-changing workplace.
• Browse or career resources book lists, opens a new window for topic guides on everything from interviewing to dealing with difficult coworkers.
• Looking for more help? Check out further Job & Career Success support here, opens a new window!