The Small Business Center maintains a free lending library of business-related information. Books, pamphlets, videos, handouts, business magazines, and government forms and publications may be borrowed for up to two weeks at no charge. There are fully equipped computers with Internet access that are available for researching and drafting business plans and proposals. You may review business plan outlines, checklists, and sample plans.

Some of the reading materials include:

• 100 Best Retirement Businesses
• A Passion for Excellence
• Anatomy of a Business Plan
• Buying a Business
• Effective Performance Appraisals
• Getting a Business Loan
• Growing a Business
• Guerrilla Marketing
• How to Form Your Own "S" Corporation
• How to Grow Your Business on the Internet
• How to Make Meetings Work
• How to Sell Anything to Anybody
• How to Start a Desktop Publishing Company
• Leadership Skills for Women
• Managing People: 101 Proven Ideas
• Money Making Ideas for Retirees
• So You're Thinking of Having a Business
• On Your Own: A Woman's Guide to Building a Business
• Speak Without Fear
• Small-Time Operator
• Swim With the Sharks
• The Business Planning Guide
• The Art of Creative Thinking
• The Successful Family Business
• Time Management
• Understanding Financial Statements
  

We also have audio and videotapes for viewing at the Center:

• Women in Business
• How to Find New Customers
• Secrets of Successful Marketing
• Closing the Deal
• How to Read Financial Statements
• How to Really Create a Successful Business Plan
• How to Succeed in Home Business
• Pricing Products and Services
• How to Finance Your Business
• Smart Solutions for Managing Your Time
• The Business Plan - Your Roadmap for Success

We have government publications and forms such as:

• Business Use of Your Home
• Small Business Resource Guide
• Business Corporation Guidelines
• Becoming a Food Entrepreneur
• Selling by Mail Order
• Starting a Successful Childcare Business
• Business License Directory
• Assumed Name Certificate
• Incorporation Forms
• SS-4 EIN
• Sales and Use Tax Forms
• Patent and Trademark information
• Preventing Retail Theft
• S.C.O.R.E. Business Plan

Other resources include:

• Sample business plans and outlines
• Small Business Sourcebook
• N.C. Business-to-Business Sales & Marketing Directory
• SOHO microloan package
• Chamber of Commerce loan package
• Business Plan software

Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.