Libraries serve their communities by providing access to materials, resources and opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to grow, learn and connect. Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) has dedicated strategic services librarians who focus on helping library users find information and resources related to small businesses, nonprofits and legal resources. Additionally, we have a career navigator to help those seeking employment or career growth.

Our strategic services librarians make it so that we can offer more in-depth, specialized help to our community. And our law library is the only one in Colorado that is open to the public at no charge outside of an academic institution.

To support job seekers, PPLD has a designated career navigator. In today’s competitive job market, educational opportunities and career search resources can be the difference between a resume getting noticed or dropping into the recycling bin.

The career navigator works with job seekers to provide personalized guidance to help overcome barriers and connect with opportunities. This librarian provides personalized career coaching, connects people with job search and career tools, helps them explore career pathways and assists with resume and cover letter writing.

Similar to a job hunt, starting a new small business or nonprofit often feels daunting. The business librarian can help find data, information and resources to support you in writing your business plan. The library has a variety of useful databases of business and consumer information that this librarian can introduce you to that can support your business needs. Marketing databases, demographic information, and detailed data about your chosen industry and potential competitors are also available through the business librarian. At no charge, entrepreneurs and business owners can access the information and tools needed to strategically start and grow their businesses.

For anyone interested in starting or improving a charitable organization, the nonprofit librarian can help search for grants and other useful tools and information. Each sector has grants available – from arts to children’s services – let the nonprofit librarian assist you in creating and finding the information that will help your organization thrive. This librarian plans to offer classes on finding additional financial resources to support your efforts in the near future as well.

These librarians help make the difficult job of starting a business or fundraising for capital or organizational needs more streamlined, efficient, and effective by connecting you with local and national resources.

The library also has a designated law librarian who can help you find resources related to the legal aspects of small businesses and nonprofits. Legal resources at PPLD include access to databases containing legal forms and Tate-specific legal documentation. At Penrose Library, library cardholders can access the Westlaw database, which provides access to state and federal case law, as well as secondary resources.

To set up a one-on-one meeting with any of these strategic services librarians, visit ppld.org or call the library at (719)531-6333. Job seekers can also meet with the career navigator during weekly walk-in office hours in addition to being able to schedule a one-on-one session.

Whether you are a burgeoning entrepreneur, working with a nonprofit, or searching for your next job, the library is here to support you. Your success is our priority. You belong at the library.

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Carla Bamesberger is the Public Relations and Marketing Manager for Pikes Peak Library District. Besides reading and touting all that the District offers, this Coloradoan enjoys spending time with her husband and pets, biking, crafting, and gaming. She can be reached at cabamesberger@ppld.org or by calling (719) 531-6333, x6259.