Business Resources

The Library offers a variety of resources to assist business owners including online research resources, online training, a blog, mentoring by SCORE, workshops, technology training and links to helpful websites.

Online Research

Resources to find personal finance information, company and market research, business articles, books and reference material. A Plainfield Public Library card is required for home access. Find these resources on our Online Resources page.

	Business Source Premier The industry’s most popular business research database, featuring full text for more than 2,200 journals. Full text is provided back to 1965, and searchable cited references back to 1998.
	Credo Reference Credo is a vast, online reference library, providing access to the full text of hundreds of highly regarded and popular titles. And Credo brings the facts alive with images, sound files, animations, videos and much more. Find speedy, simple answers and authoritative, in-depth articles.
	Gale’s Virtual Reference Library Researchers can instantly access thousands of eBooks on virtually any subject. These trusted, authoritative reference works are available 24/7 through Gale Virtual Reference Library.
	Legal Information Reference Center Providing exclusive online full text for many of the top consumer legal reference books, Legal Information Reference Center contains hundreds of full-text publications and thousands of legal forms, with more content being added on a regular basis.
	MasterFILE Premier MasterFILE Premier provides full text for magazines, reference books, and primary source documents. This database also provides an Image Collection containing photos, maps & flags.
	Morningstar Investment Research Center Morningstar Investment Research Center offers easy access to comprehensive and independent financial analysis and data on stocks and funds.
	ProQuest Chicago Tribune Comprehensive coverage back to 1985 plus the latest news from the Chicago area, the nation and the world every day.
	Public-record.com This database contains public records of real estate sales, new business licenses, foreclosures, bankruptcies and more for various Illinois counties, particularly the Chicago collar counties.
	ReferenceUSA Create marketing plans, conduct competitive analysis, and locate people using real-time access to more than 44 million businesses, 270 million consumers, and more.
	Small Business Reference Center Offers a wide variety of information on small business and entrepreneurial subject areas, common business types, a help and advice section, and provides information on how to create business plans that lead to successful funding.
	Value Line Research Center Financial information and analytical tools to expand your range of investment vehicles and structure a dynamic professional portfolio. Track model portfolios, (standard, small and mid-cap), screen more than 250 data fields, create graphs using 25 different variables, and access up to five years of technical history.

Online Training

Training is available through the Library’s website and may be used at home or work for free with your Plainfield Public Library card. Find these resources on our Online Learning page.

	Gale Courses Sample tests, including the GRE, SAT, GED, civil service, citizenship, and many more. Also includes computer instruction modules. User must create account with a password.
	GCFlearnfree.org has free lessons for a variety of computer topics, including computer basics, Apple software and different versions of Microsoft Office. No additional software is required.
	HelpNow HelpNow is a live tutoring service designed for a range of academic needs: Homework Help, Skills-Building, Writing Lab, Test Center, 24/7 Help Center, Adult Learning Center, and a Foreign Language Lab. Tutors are available Monday – Sunday 2:00 PM — 11:00 PM CST.
	LearningExpressLibrary Sample tests, including the GRE, SAT, GED, civil service, citizenship, and many more. Also includes basic computer instruction modules. User must create account with a password.
	Lynda.com Lynda.com is a leading online learning company that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals.

Open for Business blog

Library staff regularly update a blog for small business owners in the Plainfield community called “Open for Business.” The blog will feature information relevant to business owners such as area events, learning opportunities, tips and advice, and helpful resources and tools available at the Library. Click here to visit the blog.

Other Services

Other services include access to the internet and Microsoft Office 2013 software on our public computers, free wireless internet throughout the library, printing and photocopying in black & white (10 cents per page), printing and photocopying in color (50 cents per page), faxing ($1 per page) and free scanning to a flash drive or email address.

SCORE: Free Small Business Mentoring

Second and Fourth Mondays, 7:00 PM: Offered by volunteers from the Fox Valley Chapter of SCORE. Space is limited and registration is required through the SCORE website. Visit www.ScoreFoxValley.org, click on Free Mentoring and follow the steps to register at the Plainfield Public Library. SCORE is a nationwide, non-profit organization dedicated to helping the owners of existing and start-up businesses assure that their businesses grow and prosper. Click here for instructions to schedule a session with SCORE.

Strictly Business Lunch & Learn Series

Most First Thursdays, Noon: Dynamic workshops and presentations to guide small businesses in day to day operations. The Strictly Business Lunch & Learn Series is a one hour program designed to provide useful and timely information for the local business owner. The presenters are top in their field. The topics range from writing business plans, increasing sales, product development to social marketing. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch. Drinks and dessert will be provided. The Plainfield Public Library and the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce are committed to encourage local business development with the Strictly Business Lunch & Learn Series. Visit the online Calendar of Events for current listings.

Technology Training

Free hands-on technology classes for adults are offered every month. Topics include basic skills, social media (including LinkedIn) or Microsoft Office 2013 software. Classes in Spanish are also available. Click here for more information.