Businesses
If you’re looking to start, manage, or grow a business or nonprofit, we have tools, resources, and support to help. Use our business resources to create business and marketing plans, research a company or industry, learn a new skill, and more. Have questions about business library cards? Email us.
Have Questions?
Katrina Belogorsky, Community Engagement Librarian, Immigrants and Refugees
Business library card
Businesses and nonprofits located in Skokie and members of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce can apply for a free business library card.
Apply for or renew a business card
Business resources at the library
Use our business resources to develop business and marketing plans, find potential customers, discover data about your industry and competitors, research companies, stocks and mutual funds, and take free classes online to sharpen your technology and business skills.
You can access eBooks, magazines, newspapers, and articles online for the latest business, financial, and technology information. The library collection includes a wide range of business books, periodicals, and newsletters.
Attend our business events to learn from local experts about all aspects of running an enterprise, manage your personal finances and connect with local business people.
Business Advisors
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Chinese Mutual Aid Association provides free business counseling for entrepreneurs and small businesses at the library. They can help with starting and running businesses, financial and marketing issues, and creating business plans. Sign up for a free appointment. The Illinois Small Business Development Center at CMAA is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Additional Resources
Get more help from local organizations, including Oakton College, Skokie Chamber of Commerce, and the Village of Skokie
Write a Business Plan
Learn the steps to writing a business plan using SCORE’s planning templates or Gale Business Plans Handbooks. They offer sample business plans and templates to help you create a business plan. You can also take a look at our business plan books.
Classes, Financial Resources, Online Guides, and Regulatory Information
- Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
- First Stop Business Information Center
- Small Business Assistance
- Illinois Small Business Develop Centers (SBDC)
Workshops and Free Business Counseling
- Illinois Small Business Development Center at Oakton College
- Illinois Small Business Development Center at Chinese Mutual Aid Association
- Women's Business Development Center (Aurora)
- Women’s Business Development Center (Chicago)
- Small Business Administration
- USA.gov Small Business
PERSONAL FINANCE
Find resources to help with personal financial concerns.