- Office equipment and computers: B&W and color printers, copier, scanner, faxing, Windows and Mac computers, and free wireless Internet.
- Devices available for checkout: LCD projectors, Wi-Fi Hotspots, and more from our Library of Things collection.
- A wide variety of magazines and newspapers including Bloomberg Business Week, Forbes, Barrons, and Wall Street Journal.
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Business Source
Business Source Elite; Regional Business News; Small Business News Source; and Business eBooks Collection contains full-text coverage of top business, management, and economics journals, periodicals, and eBooks. These publications cover topics such as accounting, banking, finance, international business, marketing, and sales.
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Public Records (from home or in-Library)
Search public records for new homeowners, new businesses, foreclosures, and bankruptcies for Illinois. Includes Check Illinois database for background check information. This database works best on a computer or tablet and may not be accessible on a phone.
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Reference Solutions
Directory of over 100 million U.S. and Canadian businesses (including historical date) and 155 million residential phone numbers.
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Value Line Investment
Contains information about stocks, including small and large cap companies. Research individual stocks and markets and learn about investments.
Getting Started- Research is a great way to gain insight into your community’s demand for your product or service
- Market Research, Demographics, and Analysis Tools - Doing smart research is a great way to gain insight into your community’s demand for your product or service. You can pinpoint where to focus your marketing efforts and to whom.
- Census Business Builder - Small Business Edition contains key data for business plans or to better understand potential markets.
- QuickFacts - Get the latest statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau about the community where you live and do business.
- Small Business Administration - Gather detailed information on small businesses at the state level, including demographics of owners, small business income, and more.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy.
Local Partners
Learn more about starting your business with our local business partners
- Fox Valley SCORE
- Small Business Administration Illinois Office - Business guidance from the SBA's Illinois office
- Willowbrook/Burr Ridge Chamber of Commerce
Write Your Business Plan
- Business Plans and Finance Templates from SBA’s SCORE
- Census Business Builder - Small Business Edition contains key data for business plans or to better understand potential markets. It presents data for a single type of business and geography at a time.
- How to Write a Business Plan from the Small Business Administration
Financing
Your business may qualify for seed money grants and bank loans available for small businesses
- Illinois Department of Commerce
- Illinois Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP)
- Loans and Grants info from the SBA
Naming Your Business
Choosing a name is part of the registration process. Be original and avoid trademark violation
- Illinois Secretary of State
- Small Business Association Register a Business Name
- The United States Patent and Trademark Office
Business Registration Application Forms.
In order to operate your business, you’ll need to register with the state
- City of Darien Business License
- Illinois Business Registration, Licenses, and Permits
- Village of Burr Ridge
- Village of Willowbrook
Taxes and the IRS
To pay taxes on your business, you’ll need to file with the IRS. The IRS also provides a wealth of online resources for small business tax help.
Hiring and Employees
- Federal OSHA
- News from the Illinois Department of Labor
- U.S. Small Business Administration Hiring & Managing Guide
