The Reference Section, located on the fifth floor of the Broward County Main Library, provides resources and services to assist entrepreneurs who are starting a new business or expanding an existing business. Print and electronic resources related to small business as well as free, one-on-one counseling services and a variety of seminars on business-related topics are available.
Print Sources – Books, Magazines, Newsletters, Newspapers
Print resources include numerous current books on many topics including the following:
- Advertising and marketing a product or service
- Analyzing an industry
- Buying an existing business
- Demographics
- Franchise opportunities
- Getting started in small business
- Legal, tax, and insurance aspects of starting a small business,
- Managing a business
- Obtaining financing
- Starting specific types of small businesses
- Writing business plans
While the books on the fifth floor are for reference use only, circulating copies of many of the titles can be found on the fourth floor of the Main Library.
Note: Books on starting new businesses are available at most branches of the Broward County Library and are generally classified in the 658.022 Dewey Decimal area of the library.
Periodicals such as The South Florida Business Journal and the Broward Daily Business Review are available on the third floor of the Main Library in the Magazines and Newspapers Section.
Selected Print Sources
Advertising and Marketing
Standard Directory of Advertisers
Standard Directory of Advertising Agencies
Business Plans
Anatomy of a Business Plan
Business Plans Handbook
Instant Business Plans
Business Rankings
South Florida Business Journal Book of Lists
Ward's Business Directory (SIC volume)
Business Ratios
101 Key Business Ratios
Industry Norms and Key Business Ratios (Dun & Bradstreet)
RMA Annual Statement Studies
Troy Almanac of Business and Industrial Financial Ratios
Business Start-up
How to Start a Business in Florida
Starting and Operating a Business in Florida
Small Business Sourcebook
Small Business Start-Up Guides from Entrepreneur Magazine and Lewis and Renn
Company Directories
American Wholesalers and Distributors Directory
Brands and Their Companies/Companies and Their Brands
Directory of Corporate Affiliations
Dun's Regional Business Directory
Directory of Florida Industries
Florida Business Directory
Florida Manufacturers Register
Company Rankings
Fortune 500
South Florida Business Journal Book of Lists
Ward's Business Directory (SIC volume)
Demographic and Market Analyses
MPA (Market Profile Analysis)
Sourcebook of Zip Code Demographics
Sourcebook of County Demographics
Direct Marketing/Mail Order Business
Direct Marketing Market Place
Financing
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Free Help from Uncle Sam to Start Your Own Business
Florida Venture Capital Directory
Pratt's Guide to Private Equity Sources
SBIC Directory and Handbook of Small Business Finance
Franchising
Directory of Franchising Organizations
Franchise Annual
Franchise Opportunities
Incorporation
How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation in Florida
How to Form a Simple Corporation in Florida
How to Form Your Own Corporation
Industry Analyses
Economic Censuses
Census of Agriculture
Census of Manufacturers
Census of Retail Industries
Census of Wholesale Industries
Census of Service Industries
Standard and Poor's Industry Surveys
Industry Classification
North Atlantic Industry Classification System (NAICS)
Standard Industrial Classification Manual (SIC)
International Trade
Doing Business in... (PricewaterhouseCoopers series)
Importing into the United States
International Trade Reporter
International Trade Statistics Yearbook (United Nations)
Official Export Guide
Reference Book for World Traders
Legal Materials
Municipal and County Codes of Ordinances
Florida Statutes
Florida Administrative Code
United States Code
Code of Federal Regulations
Licensing
Florida Administrative Code
Site Locations
Sourcebook of Zip Code Demographics
Shopping Center Directory
Statistics
Broward-By-the-Numbers
Florida Statistical Abstract
Statistical Reference Index (SRI)
Guide to U.S. Government Statistics
Statistical Abstract of the United States
American Statistical Index (ASI)
Statistical Yearbook (United Nations)
Index to International Statistics (IIS)
Trade Associations - Directories
Encyclopedia of Associations
Encyclopedia of Associations -- Regional
Reference Databases
The following databases also provide information of interest to entrepreneurs.
Business and Company Resource Center (website) provides company profiles as well as access to full-text articles on a wide variety of business-related subjects from business journals throughout the country.
Reference USA (website) provides directory information on approximately 14 million companies throughout the United States and allows customized searches by name of company, type of company, geographic area, size of company, and other special parameters.
Counseling Services
Free one-on-one counseling services are available, by appointment, from the Broward Service Corps of Retired Executives (Broward SCORE) and the Florida Small Business Development Center in Broward. To make appointments, visit the either of the following web pages: Broward SCORE (website) or Small Business Development Center in Broward (website).
Seminars
In addition, seminars on many special business topics and issues are presented twice a month by members of the Florida Women’s Business Center (website). Topics include “1, 2, 3s of Starting a Business”, “Skills to Operate a Profitable Business”, “Accelerating Your Sales Performance”, “How to Market Your Business on the Internet”, “Alternative to Corporate Jobs – Recession-resistant Franchises”, and “Business Law”.
Links to Websites on Small Business Start-up and Expansion
Additional information on small business start-up may be found on the following websites:
ipl2: Information You Can Trust - website
This is a searchable and annotated subject directory of internet resources that provide accurate, factual information on many topics. Select “Business’ and then Entrepreneurship”, “Small Business”, or “Women in Business”. You may also type a keyword in the search box.
Biz Office: Small and Home-Based Business Resources - website
This site provides links to websites in such categories as opportunities, financing, marketing, services, franchises, news, and multi-level marketing. Articles are also included.
Business USA - website
This one-stop electronic link to the information and services available from dozens of federal government organizations that assist or regulate business includes information on business development, financial assistance, taxes, laws and regulations, and international trade. This site is maintained and funded the United States Small Business Administration.
Entrepreneur - website
The Small Business Answer Desk, available on this site, has frequently-asked questions about management, marketing and advertising, human resources, e-business, sales, and franchise opportunities.
Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations - website
This site provides information on starting a business in Florida. It includes information on business registrations, selecting locations, industry reports, business, taxes, international trade, and corporate filings.
Florida Small Business Development Center in Broward - website
This site provides a wealth of information about all aspects of starting and expanding small businesses. Topics covered include financing, marketing, international trade, selling to the government, intellectual property, taxes, etc. Information about the mission of the Florida SBDC and the seminars and workshops offered is also included. Use this site to register for free, one-on-one counseling sessions by certified business analysts.
Florida Women’s Business Center (FWBC) - website
A list of free business seminars provided by this organization, many of which are presented at the Broward County Main Library, in included on the FWBC website.
IRS – Small Business and Self-Employed One Stop Resource - website
Part of the IRS website, this web page provides information on a wide variety of business tax topics, including topics for small business.
NAWBO- National Association of Women Business Owners - website
NAWBO is a professional association representing the interests of women entrepreneurs in all types of businesses. Information about membership, conferences, and publications is included on this website.
SBA: Small Business Administration - website
The SBA provides a wealth of information to entrepreneurs needing help starting, financing, or expanding a business. SBA programs and services are described, and local SBA resources are included. Information on disaster assistance is also provided.
SBA: South Florida District Office - website
This site provides a start-up kit, a training calendar, financing information, laws and regulations, and local resources for entrepreneurs starting businesses in South Florida.
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) - website
This site provides guidance on small business start-up. It includes information on business opportunities, including home-based businesses. SCORE workshop locations are included.
SCORE – Broward/Fort Lauderdale - website
The site of the local chapter of SCORE lists seminars, publications, articles, and websites. Go to this site to register for one-on-one counseling sessions that are held at the Broward County Main Library or other locations.
SUNBIZ: Florida Division of Corporations Online Database - website
Sunbiz provides information on forming a corporation in the State of Florida. Online forms and information on filing fees are included. The site allows online searching for names of corporations, trademarks, and fictitious names. It also provides access to articles of incorporation, annual reports, and other documents on file.
Links to Websites on Business Plans
SBA: Small Business Administration - website
The SBA website includes a section on writing business plans which includes a free online workshop on the subject.
Community Resources
The following agencies handle requests for basic information and referrals, and provide education and information services.
Broward SCORE - website
299 E. Broward Blvd., #123, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-356-7263 (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Fax: 954-356-7145
E-Mail: mail@BrowardSCORE.org
Florida Small Business Development Center in Broward - website
Reubin O’D. Askew Tower, Room 530, 111 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-2206
Phone: 954-762-5201
E-Mail: sbdc-Broward@floridasbdc.org
Florida Women’s Business Center - website
401 W. Atlantic Ave., #09, Delray Beach, FL 33444
Phone: 866-353-3790 (toll free)
Fax: 561-265-0806
E-mail: info@flwbc.org
Updated 6/13