Accel5: Helping Businesses Stay Productive during Covid-19

Accel5 is a business-focused database that takes the huge amounts of information available in books and webinars and crunches it into quick, easy summaries, so you can learn exactly what you need, exactly when you need it. They’ve also come up with some great resources on how to keep your business afloat during the Covid-19 crisis. Here’s what they have to say about it:

These are some of the videos and books they recommend.

“As the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis continues to impact people and organizations, adapting to changing working conditions, coping with new challenges, and managing stress is critically important. Our team at Accel5 has compiled the following resources from top business authors, executives, and educators to help you and your organization stay productive, build new skills, and provide leadership during these challenging times. These items are accessible to all, regardless of subscription status.”

Accel5 is available from the Digital Library anywhere you can get an internet connection.

Grow with Google 2020

Join us at the Main Library on Goodwood for two classes on how to use the power of Google to build your business and jump-start your job search! On Thursday, January 23rd, you can take the following classes:

  • Get Your Business Online, 1PM – With a Business PRofile on Google, your business can stand out for free across Google Search and Maps. Learn about Google’s tools for customer engagement and reaching new customers.
  • Power Your Job Search with Google Tools, 3PM – Discover and keep track of job opportunities on Google Search. In this workshop, you will use collaborative tools of G Suite and Google Search to enhance your job search experience.

Grow with Google @Your Library

Grow with Google is coming to Baton Rouge! On Friday, October 11th, you can attend free workshops at the Scotlandville Branch Library and develop digital skills that will help you grow your business or find a new job. They’re even offering one-on-one coaching with a Googler to help you learn how to maximize your use of programs like G Suite, Google Ads, Google Analytics, and more. Here’s the schedule:

  • 9:30-10:30 For Nonprofits – Discover Digital Resources to Empower Your Community
  • 11:30-12:30 Reach Customers Online with Google
  • 1:30-2:30 Get Your Business Online
  • 3:30-4:30 Power Your Job Search with Google Tools
  • **9:30-4:30 1:1 Coaching Available

Registration is required, and spots are limited. Find more information about the event and register online!

Business Owner Workshop

Join us and parters SCORE, SBA, and more for a free workshop on social media for business! Next Monday, September 16th, you’ll learn the basis of forming a business plan, managing your personal and business credit, managing your cash flow, the foundations of social media, increasing opportunities with merchant services, and start-up financing. Register online!

How to Buy a Business

Do you want to become an entrepreneur but don’t want to start from scratch? Join us at the Main Library at Goodwood on Tuesday, August 20th, beginning at 6 PM, and learn how to buy a business. Robert Bourgeois, CEO of Sunbelt Business Brokers, will discuss the advantages of buying an existing business, how to choose which business to buy and what kind of financing it takes.

Registration is required. Please call 225-231-3733 or register online here.

Popular Lynda Courses for April

Get started on a free online class from Lynda, available in the Digital Library! With Lynda, you can learn something new anywhere you can get an internet connection. Create a free account with your library card number, and learn everything from how to deal with difficult people to how to advertise your business on social media, and so much more. Here are the most popular courses in East Baton Rouge this month:

  1. Customer Service Foundations
  2. Writing Customer Service Emails
  3. Time Management Fundamentals
  4. Cert Prep: Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (100-105)
  5. Maya 2018 Essential Training
  6. Programming Foundations: Fundamentals
  7. Working with Upset Customers
  8. Communication Foundations (2013)
  9. Effective Listening
  10. Windows 10 October 2018 Update Essential Training

Get Your Grant at the River Center Branch

Are you trying to get a grant for your nonprofit? Do you want to set up a grant to support your community? Are you just curious about how the grants process works? The East Baton Rouge Library is the place to go – specifically, the River Center Branch! In addition to being a Funding Information Network partner of the Foundation Center, one of the largest philanthropic information centers in the world, the River Center Branch has access to resources on grants and grant-writing for both nonprofits and for-profit businesses.

With the Foundation Center, you can learn everything you need to know about grants and grantwriting with free training and online classes. Access their collected information on how causes of all kinds are funded, or use their directories to identify potential funding sources.

When you’re ready to start fundraising, research potential donors with iWave! iWave has lots of information on prospective donors, including what causes they’ve contributed to in the past, how often they’ve done so, and how much they’ve donated. You’ll learn who to ask, how much to ask for, and get an idea of the best way to approach.

Whether you are a grantseeker, grantmaker, or just curious about the grants process, we can help you meet your grants-related information needs. Check out our Grants Infoguide for more information, or contact our grants librarian at (225) 389-4964 to learn more!

Popular Lynda Courses for March

Celebrate the first day of spring with a free online class from Lynda, available in the Digital Library! With an absolute boatload of self-directed options, with Lynda, you can learn something new anywhere you can get an internet connection. Hard and soft skills  are available from one convenient site – punch up your PowerPoints or learn how to move smoothly through difficult customer interactions. Create a free account with your library card number today! Here are the most popular courses in East Baton Rouge this month:

  1. Customer Service Foundations
  2. Programming Foundations: Fundamentals
  3. Time Management Fundamentals
  4. Building Resilience
  5. Working with Upset Customers
  6. Writing Customer Service Emails
  7. Maya 2018 Essential Training
  8. Communication Foundations (2013)
  9. Windows 10 October 2018 Update Essential Training
  10. Data Science & Analytics Career Paths & Certifications: First Steps

Accel5

Now introducing Accel5, an Ebsco database for business! With short instructional videos, articles, and business book summaries that get right to the core ideas, you can learn something new and still have time for lunch.

Videos, summaries, and articles are organized into three core competencies:

Narrow your focus:

And you’re off! Get started today with Accel5! It’s in the Digital Library, free with your EBRP library card. Go, go!