Novi Library Opens Business Resource Center

Running a business can be a lot of work, and the Novi Public Library wants to lend local businesses a helping hand.

The library officially opened its new Business Resource Center on Tuesday morning, and dozens of business people attended the event to learn what the library has to offer. 

The Business Resource Center (BRC) is a “one-stop-shop” for information on how to start or expand your business, including business books, magazines, and newspapers; online business databases; and business courses and mentoring. The library also provides the use of computers and business related software, Internet connectivity, and meeting rooms available for rent.

Novi businesses are also now able to get their own library cards.

"We knew there was definitely a need to reach out to our business community and to make resources available to all of you and to your employees and to those who might be starting a small business," said Novi Public Library Director Julie Farkas. "We wanted it to be a hub for that purpose."

Novi Business Librarian Karen Bitterle, who has worked on putting together the BRC for a year, said the library has partnered with two organizations to enhance the BRC.

The Michigan Small Business Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC) co-sponsors the BRC. While SCORE, a nonprofit organization with 12,000 business experts nationwide, will provide free one-on-one mentoring by appointment on Thursday evenings and Saturdays beginning in October.

Novi Mayor Bob Gatt welcomed the BRC and encouraged local business to use it.

"The city of Novi has always recognized that you can't have employees without employers," Gatt said. "We've always bent over backward to make Novi a friendly city toward businesses, and this is just another step in that process."