Baltimore-area libraries are a gold mine of resources for entrepreneurs

We at Technical.ly know how challenging it can be for early-stage entrepreneurs and small businesses to get started. We also know how much it helps to learn alongside others, share a coworking space, come across word-of-mouth opportunities and find resource navigators who can help. 

Library systems across the country offer many free tools, programs and supports to help small businesses start and succeed. If you live in the Baltimore area, you can find many of these resources within your own free library systems.

Here are some resources available at three local library systems: the Enoch Pratt Free Library, the Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) and the Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL). If someone you know wants guidance on how to start a business and navigate the resource landscape, consider sending them to one of these library systems. 

Remember: “Having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card.” 

Enoch Pratt: A resource for all Marylanders

The City of Baltimore’s system serves as the state library resource center for all of Maryland. That means the General Assembly gives the library additional funds to serve as a shared hub for other library systems, and their residents, across the state — especially for areas where local libraries have fewer resources. Any Marylander who can get a library card can access these shared resources.

Enoch Pratt also boasts a business, science and technology department that usually has a dedicated business librarian to assist residents with related questions and resource navigation.  [At the moment of this writing, Enoch Pratt lacks a business librarian]. This department offers research tools, specialized programs, and legal and tax support to support entrepreneurs as they manage the startup process. 

While county libraries tend to be more generalist in their entrepreneurial support services, the Enoch Pratt Free Library offers more subject areas and specialties. 

Resources 

The Enoch Pratt Library has several evergreen resources, including this small business resource guide, where early-stage entrepreneurs can find legal, tax and research resources and services. 

Additionally, many companies start their journey to market with grants and awards. While designed more for nonprofits, this guide on writing a grant proposal is a great place to start building your grant writing skills. 

Programs

• The six-week PRATTpreneur program introduces teens between 14 and 16 to the fundamentals of business development. Youth cohorts practice ideation generation and validation, learn how to pitch, develop budgets and gain transferable skills along the way.  The 2025 summer program runs from July 7 to Aug. 15. Eligible young people can apply via this form.
  
• Project ENCORE ReCOUP Business Accelerator is an eight-week business accelerator for formerly incarcerated individuals to gain all the skills they need to start their own company. The program ends in a pitch showcase and graduation ceremony at Enoch Pratt’s central branch in Mount Vernon, where experienced entrepreneurs and industry veterans offer participants feedback and mentorship. According to its website, the library system also covers participants’ business registration fees “through the state of Maryland.” The spring program began on Feb. 3, you can find more information about future cohorts at the Project ENCORE initiative’s website. 

Baltimore County Public Library System: the comprehensive hub

While most libraries offer some level of business support, including specialized business librarians for the most well-resourced ones, BCPL goes a step further: It has an in-house small business consultant, part of a trend for larger library systems around the country offering more personalized entrepreneurship guidance and navigation support. 

Karly Feinberg, a small business consultant for BCPL, organizes networking events, moderates online panels and workshops, helps entrepreneurs navigate resources, and facilitates connections between entrepreneurs and relevant organizations like the Small Business Development Center. By having an in-house consultant, BCPL is minimizing the gap between information and action.

Programs 

The Entrepreneur Academy is BCPL’s standard accelerator, guiding aspiring entrepreneurs through the fundamentals of establishing and legitimizing their businesses — all for free. While this program was initially designed with Enoch Pratt Free Library, it is now only available at BCPL because the city’s system currently does not have a business librarian. The seven-week program covers market research, financing, marketing and developing a business plan. The accelerator is designed for participants to benefit from co-learning and networking with one another. Participants can also take advantage of BCPL’s legal and tax support.

Those interested can learn more and register by emailing ace@bcpl.net.

Anne Arundel County Public Library: access through partnerships 

Of the three systems featured here, Anne Arundel County Public Library has the fewest resources but makes up for the deficit through collaboration. The system features access to business databases like Data Axle and Gale. While it doesn’t have an in-house business consultant or relevant librarian, it partners with organizations like Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation to provide entrepreneurs counseling, mentorship and resource navigation. 

The library system also organizes business-focused workshops and events, including primers and explainers concerning finances, investments and filing taxes. 

If an entrepreneur can’t find something at Anne Arundel County libraries, they can also reach out to Enoch Pratt Free Library or the Baltimore County Public Library.

***

As community-based institutions, libraries can be attuned to the needs of their communities and better able to offer pathways into entrepreneurship. If you know someone looking for further guidance on their entrepreneurship journey, consider sending them over to your local library.