South Bay Leader

Long Beach, CA – The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) continues to build its repertoire of free business resources through its Digital Library, which offers free access to top professional development platforms that normally cost $1,000 or more per subscription. With just a Library card, users can develop skills in business planning and entrepreneurship, management and strategic planning, finances and taxes, digital marketing, sales growth, market research and data, and much more. 

“The Long Beach Public Library is helping small business owners maintain a competitive edge in today’s market,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Having these digital resources available for free through the Library places an incredible asset into the hands of local entrepreneurs.” 

In addition to entertainment and educational resources, the Digital Library offers a diverse suite of business resources, many offering content in Spanish and other languages and covering the most important topics business owners and employees need to succeed today. The Digital Library’s business resources include: 

• Coursera – On-demand video courses, for the beginner or expert, designed by renowned universities and companies like Google, Intel and the University of California, San Diego. Earn certificates and master specialized skills at a flexible pace. Available en español. 
• Gale Presents: Udemy – A collection of 10,000+ frequently updated, on-demand video courses across businesses, technology, design, and personal development. The collection is available in multiple languages, including Spanish, and is powered by Udemy Business.
• GetSetUp– Live classes taught all day, every day across essential topics in financial planning, business and more. Exclusively for users ages 55 and older.  
• LinkedIn Learning – Everything from quick tutorials to comprehensive video courses on business, creative work and technology. Complete courses to receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and certificates. Available en español. 
• OverDrive/Libby – eBooks and audiobooks on the latest business strategies, leadership tips, entrepreneur biographies and more.
• Reference Solutions by Data Axle – Exclusive data on over 80 million businesses and 272 million consumers. Reference Solutions is perfect for small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to research their competitors, study today’s market, and find customers interested in their products and services. 
• Skillshare– Thousands of award-winning classes on technology, freelancing, creativity, entrepreneurship and more. Users gain access to entertaining video courses and assignments where they will receive constructive feedback from their instructors who are notable experts in their respective fields. Available en español. 

“These exceptional resources are supporting small business owners by providing them with the training and confidence they need to expand or launch their businesses,” said Director of Library Services Cathy De Leon. “We’re grateful for the Long Beach Public Library Foundation and the California State Library whose funding and support makes these resources possible.” 

For more information or to start using the online business resources, visit the LBPL Digital Library or call 562.570.7500. 

Reference Solutions is available thanks to the efforts of the Long Beach Public Library Foundation and its generous donors. Coursera, GetSetUp, LinkedIn Learning, and Skillshare are provided through the CAreer Pathways program, administered by the California State Library and funded by the State of California. 

About the City of Long Beach  

Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health and Human Services; Parks, Recreation and Marine; Development Services; Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, 12 libraries, five golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov. Watch us on LBTV. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Long Beach Public Library

Long Beach Public Library, founded in 1896, serves a diverse urban city of close to half a million people. The Long Beach Public Library system includes the Billie Jean King Main Library and eleven neighborhood libraries and a vibrant online presence. In summer of 2017, the Long Beach Public Library was awarded the National Medal for Library and Museum Services in recognition of successful community-collaborations, innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and literacy-focused programs to the residents of Long Beach. With an emphasis on providing free and equal access to information and support for learning for a lifetime, the Library offers books, media, databases, Internet access, Family Learning Centers, makerspaces, and a variety of events ranging from story times to educational and cultural programs.

For more information, visit lbpl.org, “Like” the Long Beach Public Library on Facebook, and follow along on Twitter and Instagram.

Original source can be found here.