This page showcases innovative projects from around the country. This month,
we focus on Library Business Corners that provides small business support services through a network of local libraries in the Western Cape.

For profiles of other innovative projects, see our directory.

Library Business Corners

Library Business Corners (LBC) started five years ago, as a small pilot project that aimed
to provide a cost effective service for local businesses. With support from the City of
Cape Town and provincial government,
LBCs now serve entrepreneurs and small businesses through a network of 74 libraries that extends throughout the Western Cape
and the project is still growing.

The concept

A special collection of books, newspapers, videos, journals, periodicals, brochures, pamphlets and press clippings are housed
in a designated area or “corner” of the library
in order to make business information easy
to find and use.

The vision
LBCs have the potential to help create jobs and alleviate poverty. South Africa has over 2 000 public libraries, which could evolve into a dense information network serving the needs of small business operators nationwide.

Increasing interest from other provinces has resulted in the LBC concept being adopted in Mpumalanga, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. LBCs have also been established at technikons in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape

How to start a Library Business Corner

LBCs can be initiated following a bottom-up or top-down approach. A local library can ‘start’ an LBC-initiative as a pilot project when a librarian and her team, take an active interest in the information/literature needs of SMMEs in their area or the local municipality or organised business could initiate the process. Provincial government departments
(such as Economic Affairs, the SMME Desk
or Library Services) or the DTI, NAMAC or national library authorities could drive the
programme at provincial or national level.
But no matter how the project begins, the commitment and interest of the local library will make or break the programme.

STEP 1: Establishing a dedicated space for SMMEs
The visible and attractive display of SMME-related information material is vital, because entrepreneurs and small business operators are usually not inclined to search for material in different shelves or ask for advice. The “corners” make it easier and more inviting for business people to find the information they need.

STEP 2: Acquiring material
Many public libraries have very little material on small business and local economic
development. Thus, the purchase or supply of at least the most popular books, videos, manuals, etc. is usually the second major task of an LBC. Such a step can be facilitated through a “launching grant” (e.g. R5000 per library in the Western Cape), but some of the books/funds can also be mobilised in other ways – for example, through private sector donations or publishers’ free copies.

Opening a ‘display area’ and receiving new books may trigger interest in the LBC and help attract more interested persons to the library.

STEP 3: Developing a catalogue of SMME material

Entrepreneurs are often uncertain about what they are looking for or where to find SMME-literature. A simple catalogue or list of material helps entrepreneurs find what they are looking for. Listing material according to the core topic or theme – like Taxation, Marketing, Business Plans, Exporting, etc. with the core topics arranged alphabetically is particularly useful. These lists should be available as pamphlets so that entrepreneurs can take them home, consult with others and come back to borrow the most appropriate material. A list of ‘core’ business related books and videos has been developed by LBC in the Western Cape.

STEP 4: Networking with other libraries
It will not be possible for all libraries in a city or region to obtain the same stock of SMME-focused material. One way to rationalise funds is to select a few central libraries to serve as “hubs” and that are linked to other library “satellites”. Material from the hub can then be made available through the satellite (via inter-library loans) or the business person can visit the central library.

Once several libraries have joined the LBC process in a city, region or province, communication amongst these libraries becomes an important issue, with the internet and websites offering a cost-effective way to communicate.

STEP 5: Making the most of information technology
Much of the most useful and up-to-date material needed by business people is nowadays available through the internet and/or through small business support programmes like B.R.A.I.N. (a national information network initiated by Ntsika/Namac).

It is important that individual libraries and regional LBC initiatives draw attention to these sources, even if the libraries are not yet well equipped with IT-hardware. Partnerships with other bodies – local chambers, municipalities, educational
institutions, etc. – may help to get access to these resources.

STEP 6: Marketing
People won’t know about the LBC unless you tell them, so deliberate steps have to be taken to propagate or market these services. For example, you could:

• arrange an “opening function” to launch the LBC
• distribute the literature list in the local business community
• put up posters in the libraries to promote LBCs
• spread information about LBCs via provincial SMME-desks
• host other high profile functions related to SMMEs at the library
• invite reporters from small business-focused media like “Big News for Small Business” and local radio programmes, to visit your LBC
• participate in small business conferences/exhibitions.

STEP 7: Facilitating other SMME support services
There are many other ways in which a library can help local SMMEs. Here are just a few examples tackled by Western Cape LBCs:

• Allow the library to be used for tourism-related small business info – e.g., the display of B&B pamphlets
• allow library facilities to be used for small-business related meetings, workshops, exhibitions, etc.
• host training sessions for entrepreneurs at the library
• use library info pin-boards to display information on businesses or functions (one could even allow business cards to be displayed)
• use the library as contact point for tender information and other procurement information
• collate and make information available about other SMME support programmes, including application forms for funding or training opportunities
• train library staff so that they are more aware of small business needs and relevant support programmes.

STEP 8: Building partnerships
The LBC-process depends on building strong partnerships at local, regional and national level. This includes working with municipalities, provincial and national government departments as well as statutory bodies (active in SMMEsupport),
parastatals, private sector organisations (Chambers of Commerce, Sector Education and Training Associations), professional bodies, universities and technikons, corporates, SMME support agencies, NGOs and foreign donors.
Similarly, the success of individual LBCs depends the enthusiasm of local librarians and their willingness to share and learn from one another’s experiences.

For more information contact Gail Jacobs of Library Business Corners on gaillbc@iafrica.com or phone: (021) 488 3400