Libraries as Launchpads: Building Equitable and Sustainable Entrepreneurship Resources

Collette Jones, the Branch Manager at Egg Harbor City Public Library within the Atlantic County Library System, and Susan Van Alstyne, the Director at Taylor Memorial Library, Centenary University, will discuss their journeys as certified Entrepreneurship Librarians through Creative Startups. This non-profit organization is dedicated to fostering the creative economy and nurturing creative enterprises. The New Mexico State Library Foundation, in collaboration with Creative Startups, received the Libraries as Launchpads grant over two years from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Laura Bush's 21st Century grant. Creative Startups, in partnership with recruiting allies such as the New Jersey State Library and other library systems, selected 30 libraries from six regions for Phase One of the program to become Certified Entrepreneurship Libraries. Presently, EHC, TML, and five other libraries are advancing through Phase 3 of the initiative. Collette and Susan will outline the program's stages and share their distinct yet parallel experiences from a public and academic library perspective. Moreover, they will showcase the significant achievements and opportunities that libraries can embrace to foster innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, community involvement, and lifelong learning.

Presenter(s): 

Susan Van Alstyne, Library Director, Taylor Memorial Library
Collette Jones, Branch Manager, Egg Harbor City Public Library

Poster Time: 

Thursday, May 30, 2024 - 3:00pm to 3:45pm