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Birmingham Public Library - Virtual Library - Subject Resources - Small Business Resource Guide
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Small Business Resource Guide
 
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Subjects last updated on Jul. 21, 2023.
Small Business Resource Guide RSS
Guide Sections
  • Summary
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  • Helpful Links for COVID-19 recovery resources for small businesses
  • Helpful Guides
Guide Information
Last Updated
Mar. 23, 2023
Comments
Summary

Whether you're starting a business or doing general business research, the Business, Science & Technology Department at the Central Library can assist you with your endeavors. The department has an extensive collection of databases, as well books, magazines, and newspapers covering most major business subjects, including industry information, commerce, statistics, banking, economics, finance, investment, marketing, and more. Reference Librarians are available to assist patrons in acquiring information and materials to help them navigate the path of entrepreneurship.

Catalog topics
Accounting
Business Communication
More like this...
Databases
Databases - Business Plans and Start Up Assistance
Alabama LegalForms
Description
Provides a wide selection of Alabama legal forms across the most popular legal areas. Includes real estate contracts, wills, pre-marital agreements, bankruptcy, divorce, landlord tenant and many others. Also included is a comprehensive attorney state directory and a dictionary of legal definitions explained in laymen's language. Also, via https://subscriptions.uslegalforms.com/gale/forms.html
Availability
Requires a JCLC card.
Tutorials
Product Overview  HTML document
Video Tutorial  Video tutorial by BPL on YouTube (length 4:32)
Business Plans Handbook
Description
Actual business plans compiled by, and aimed at, entrepreneurs seeking funding for small businesses. Presents sample plans taken from businesses in the manufacturing, retail and service industries which serve as examples of how to approach, structure and compose business plans. -site
Availability
Requires a JCLC card and residence in Birmingham, AL.
More like this...
Databases - Company Research
Business Insights: Essentials
Description
Company profiles, brand information, rankings, investment reports, histories, chronologies. Detailed news and information on companies and industry.
Availability
Requires a JCLC card.
Business Source Premier
Description
A database of resources for the modern businessman, Business Source Premier contains full-text articles from more than 1,000 newspapers and magazines on business topics, management, economics, finance, banking, and accounting.
Availability
Requires a JCLC card.
More like this...
Helpful Links
Business Development Organizations - State and Local
Alabama Association of Nonprofits
Description
The Alabama Association of Nonprofits (AAN) was founded in 1996 under its former name of the Nonprofit Resource Center of Alabama as a collaborative effort of Alabama Power Company, the United Way of Central Alabama and the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. Our mission is a simple one – to strengthen the capacity of Alabama's nonprofit sector through professional development, advocacy and management support, all resulting in better communities and a stronger Alabama.
Alabama Department of Commerce - Made in Alabama
Description
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Business Directories - State and Local
blkLSTed
Description
blkLSTed is Birmingham's black business and nonprofit directory. The directory is listed on the Urban Impact Website, where other resources can be found for Black business owners.
SBA Dynamic Small Business Search
Description
This database is maintained by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The database can be used to search for procurement information in multiple ways by using any or all of the following types of information about the small businesses profiled in the system. It is not necessary to fill out every part of the form. You must, however, enter sufficient search criteria to limit the results to 5,000 firms or less, so as not to bog down the system and adversely affect other users. Businesses can be searched for using any of the following search criteria: location (state, congressional district, metropolitan statistical area) ownership data (U.S. Citizen owned, minority owned, veteran owned, etc.) federal certifications (SBA 8(a) certification) industry sector codes (NAICS, "Buy Green" NAICS) business type (manufacturing, construction, etc.) keywords minimum acceptable bonding level(s) quality certifications (ISO-9000, etc.) security clearance EDI capabilities unique identifiers (CAGE code, DUNS, EIN, SBA Customer Number, etc.)
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Helpful Links for COVID-19 recovery resources for small businesses
Atlas Alabama State COVID-19 Resources
Birmingham Business Resource Center COVID-19 Resources
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Helpful Guides
Alabama Department of Revenue - Starting a New Business: An Educational Brochure for Alabama Taxpayers
The guide was produced to give new business owners a general overview of the different areas of taxation required by the State of Alabama. Please note that this brochure was produced as a guide and it is not the final word on Alabama law.
Alabama's Answers: A Guide to Doing Business in Alabama
This guidebook addresses the fundamental issues of starting and operating a small business in Alabama. It was published by the Alabama Small Business Development Network at the University of Alabama.
More like this...
Page Last Modified: 3/2/2026 11:12 AM

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