Make the most of our services: borrow library books and other materials, reserve meeting rooms or space in the Studio, access business databases remotely, register for business or technology classes and apply for a business library card.

Schedule an appointment with an advisor to connect you to resources and provide instruction on using the library's business databases for market research, contact lists and more. Make an Appointment 

On-demand viewing for some programs are available on the library's YouTube channel. Check out these programs and more.

• 10 Things to Know About Starting a Cannabis Business in Illinois; Florence Hardy, Attorney & Cannabis Business Specialist
• Best Practices in Preparing Targeted Grant Proposals; Ellen Stone, Nonprofit Consultant
• Grow Your Small Business with a Strategic Marketing Plan; Cheri Kretsinger, Polaris Marketing Group & SBDC Business Advisor

The library’s Tech a la Carte program offers private technology training sessions for groups of 6-12 people. Contact us with the class you are interested in, the number of people in your group and a few date options. A business library card is required to schedule a class and the person scheduling must be listed on the card. The remaining attendees do not need to be cardholders. A list of classes is available here.

It's a no-brainer that FREE resources and programs abound at the library for those in small business. In addition, there are other no-cost activities and guides in the community and online that are too good to overlook.

• Money Smart Week 2021; Recorded webinars from this year's program here
• U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance 
• Cook County Community Recovery Initiative
• Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Free Workshops Calendar
• SBA Learning Center
• Illinois SBDC no-cost webinars and advisory appointments Register
• Safety Awareness Training through Harper College Business Services Register
• Illinois Small Business Resource Guide
• Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO)
• WBDC Webinars
• WBDC Business Advising
• Ascent: A Free Learning Platform for Women Entrepreneurs
• Grow With Google
• SCORE on-demand webinars

In this climate of uncertainty and crisis, it’s hard to overstate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nonprofits and small business. This page provides up-to-date information and resources from the local to federal level.

• Business Disaster Resources

Numerous organizations, in addition to the library, are available to help you with all aspects of your business- from startup requirements to finance, marketing and everything in between.

• Village of Arlington Heights Business & Economic Development
• Village of Arlington Heights Business Newsletter
• Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce
• Illinois SBDC at Harper College
• SCORE North Cook and Lake Counties 
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• Tax Information for Business
• ChiBizHub Chicago Business Resources & Startup Assistance
• First Stop Business Information Center

Learn from SCORE, the nation's largest network of volunteer business mentors, a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Schedule a one-on-one appointment to receive guidance on your small business.

Individual one-hour appointments at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. are available on the first and third Thursdays of each month, and on the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Make an Appointment

Meet other readers and join us for thought-provoking discussions. From new bestsellers to long-established titles, these discussions cover topics to support advancement in your personal and professional development. If you need a copy of a book, place one on hold online, stop by the Info Desk, call 847-392-0100 or check out an eBook. Currently, our Business Book Discussion will take place as a virtual program using the Zoom platform; register to receive the Zoom link. Happy Reading!

The Business eNewsletter offers resources, program information and other updates for entrepreneurs, small businesses and nonprofits. 

Subscribe

The library offers a variety of resources to assist with starting and managing a nonprofit organization. As a Foundation Information Network (FIN) Partner, we offer a premier prospect research tool for grant-seekers, Foundation Directory Online (FDO). FDO combines comprehensive data with simple search tools help you efficiently meet fundraising goals. Also available is the Foundation Grants to Individuals database which provides details on funders for scholarships, fellowships, and grants. An FDO Essentials Day Pass allows limited access remotely. Information can be found here. 

Check out Candid Learning which is a one-stop site for on-demand trainings, webinars, and other resources designed to improve your fundraising, overall sustainability, grantmaking, and transparency.

Get started with this free Nonprofit Startup Assessment and these free webinars: Intro to Finding Grants and Intro to Foundation Directory Online.

Other resources:

• A Guide for Organizing Not-for-Profit Organizations
• How Do I Start a Nonprofit Organization?
• DonorBox Nonprofit Blog

Business and nonprofit organizations in Arlington Heights are eligible for business library cards. 

At the Checkout Desk, simply complete an application and submit a business card or other document to confirm an Arlington Heights address. The business owner or primary managing agent is required to sign the application. Two additional employees can be added to the account. You can apply for a temporary library card here.

Business library cards are valid for one year and must be renewed annually. You can repeat the above process when your business library card expires or submit your renewal request to the Checkout Desk on business stationery with the names of up to three employees authorized to use the business card, by email to circquestion@ahml.info or by sending your request to:

Circulation Services Department, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60004.

All overdue items must be returned and all outstanding charges must be paid before the card will be renewed.

Renew your business library card here