Entrepreneurship & Libraries Conference

Free, online workshops and pitch competitions on how libraries and librarians support entrepreneurship in their communities and campuses

Fall 2024:
Impact Innovators: Driving Change Through Social Entrepreneurship

Thursday, November 7, 2024, 1-4pm Eastern
Free & online
Co-sponsored by ALA-Libraries Build Business and Creative Startups-Libraries as Launchpads

Call for Proposals is now open!
Submission deadline: October 11, 2024

If you have any questions, please contact the event co-chairs Karly Feinberg ([email protected]) or Ciera Williams ([email protected]).

The conference theme, “Impact Innovators: Driving Change Through Social Entrepreneurship,” underscores the crucial role libraries play in empowering entrepreneurs who are dedicated to solving social, economic, health, or environmental problems in their communities. This event will explore the innovative ways libraries can support these influential leaders by providing the knowledge, resources, and networks needed to advance their social impact initiatives. 

Attendees will gain insights into the diverse needs of social entrepreneurs and learn about both established and emerging strategies for libraries to enhance their support for these changemakers. The conference will also offer a platform for library staff to reflect on how social entrepreneurship aligns with their institution’s mission and how they can best allocate resources to nurture these drivers of societal transformation.

The conference is interested in receiving a wide range of proposals that embrace the conference theme, and therefore proposals are not limited to the below topics. We are interested in proposals that share examples of how libraries can support these entrepreneurs and how these ventures are positively impacting your community.

Examples of topics related to supporting social entrepreneurship: 

  • Incubating social ventures: How does your library support the development and  launch of successful social ventures?
  • How do you leverage library resources for social impact (co-working spaces, access to business databases, networking events, access to online learning platforms, etc.).
  • Community partnerships your library has developed that have turned your libraries into catalysts for social change. Discuss the impact these partnerships have on community development and social innovation. 
  • Workshops and classes your library has offered to help develop and grow social ventures (for example, classes on the B-certification, choosing a business structure, crafting a mission statement, etc.).
  • Share success stories and lessons learned providing this type of support.

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About the ELC

The ELC offers free online workshops and pitch competitions on how libraries and librarians support entrepreneurship in their communities and campuses. ELC leadership includes a diverse mix of public, special, and academic librarians and partners, from several countries. The ELC is for and by information professionals who support and believe in the power of inquiry and information to transform lives and support entrepreneurial endeavors.

While the ELC leadership is international, the ELC is officially hosted by BLINC, the business librarianship section of NCLA. Since its founding in 2003, BLINC has been a community of public, academic, and special librarians who value networking, supporting each other, and offering frequent and free workshops.

More about the ELC

ELC Directors: