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<p>The Enterprising Libraries programme, a £1.2 million partnership between Arts Council
England, the British Library and the Department for Communities and Local Government,
is supporting local economic growth by turning libraries into spaces for the development
of business ideas, providing coaching, advice, meeting spaces and IT support for local
businesses and entrepreneurs. Currently sixteen public libraries in England are actively
engaged in the programme and receiving financial support.</p><p>Other specific initiatives
being delivered through public libraries includes the Access to Research service.
This two year pilot commenced in January 2014 and provides a free service enabling
local libraries to provide users with access to a wealth of research, including business
information. In addition, library authorities are developing business resources to
meet local needs. Staffordshire for example has introduced Start2, a service that
is available in all public libraries across the county and has trained staff offering
information and signposting on all aspects of looking for and finding work, including
providing a starting point for entrepreneurs who want to start their own business
and small enterprises looking to expand by signposting them to relevant sources of
information or specialist organisations.</p>
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