Small Business Resource Center

Stamford Small Businsss Resource Center header

The Small Business Resource Center holds an extensive collection of print and digital materials and serves as a collaborative space for brainstorming and networking.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our Entrepreneurs in Residence –  please contact Steve Semaya and include your phone number and preferred contact method, at ssemaya@fergusonlibrary.org.

In addition to the small business collection, the library hosts classes on topics related to small business and networking.

CT.gov: Business

A one-stop-shop where entrepreneurs can easily find information and create a checklist with everything required to start up or manage a business in Connecticut. Click here to access.

Small Business Hub

The Small Business Hub research guide from the Library of Congress is designed to highlight where to start, no matter what stage of business you’re in. Each topical page features a few recommended books, free websites, and subscription databases. Additionally, we’ve included links to our in-depth research guides and strategies for solving your business information needs.

Best of the Best Business Reference Websites


Business Reference Experts Select Annual List of Best of the Best Business Reference Websites

The annual Best of the Best Business Reference Websites list was announced today by the Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS) Education Committee.

The list made its first debut in 2009 in Reference and User Services Quarterly (RUSQ), RUSA’s research journal, and recognizes three websites highly relevant to information professionals involved in providing business reference services. The list includes:

 

Maintained by the Industrial and Labor Relations Research Team, this guide compiles publicly available resources essential for understanding and participating in the collective bargaining process. It includes collective bargaining agreement databases from the public and private sectors of the United States and other countries, in addition to statistical resources on labor unions, compensation, and benefits. The guide also gives suggestions for background research resources and current periodicals on labor relations, and has a comprehensive listing of labor-related government agencies, labor unions, and labor policy organizations.

Published by Martin P. Catherwood Library, Cornell University Library

Free/Fee Based: Free

Reviewed on February 14, 2024

 

This weekly newsletter of useful/curious datasets has grown significantly over the last decade. First published in 2015, its archive (in spreadsheet format) has become a go-to tool when searching for datasets. Developed by Jeremy Singer-Vine, a data editor and reporter, he describes each dataset under 100 words succinctly and relationally, with links to access these open datasets. It includes hat tips pointing us to who suggested or discovered the dataset.

Published by Jeremy Singer-Vine

Free/Fee Based: Free. Data is Plural's membership program (DIP+), launched in Feb 2024, with bonus materials including datasets that didn't make the cut for DIP and a Discord-hosted community for members only.

Reviewed on February 22, 2024

 

Designed to provide corporate counsels with general information about legal and business infrastructures around the world, LexMundi’s 100+ country guides are authored by its member law firms and freely available in PDF format. These guides are excellent introductions to international business law for non-experts. Often stretching more than 100 pages, LexMundi guides address country-specific immigration, anti-trust and mergers, intellectual property, and labor laws, among many other topics.

Published by Lex Mundi

Free/Fee Based: Free

Reviewed on February 27, 2024

Resources for Small Businesses

ABI/Inform

ABI/Inform logo

Comprises ABI/INFORM Global, Trade & Industry, and Dateline databases, with thousands of full-text articles on business and trade.

Best's Library Center

AM Best logo

Best's Library Center - Find insurance companies and access in-depth analysis and commentary on insurance companies rated by AM Best. (Only available on-site at the Ferguson Library.)

CareerConneCT

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CareerConneCT is for everyone. Whether you’re looking to get back into the workforce or get your first job, CareerConneCT offers reskilling and upskilling. Opportunities include short-term certificate training programs to job-seekers of all ages where you can earn industry-recognized credentials in as little as 5 to 12 weeks; and get connected to employers ready to hire you right away!

Census Bureau

Census Bureau logo

Census Bureau - Comprehensive data from the U.S. Census, providing information on the nation's people and economy including the Decennial Census of Population and Housing and the American Community Survey.

Data Axle Reference Solutions

Data Axle Reference Solutions logo

Data Axle Reference Solutions - Premier source of nationwide directories for 24 million business and 89 million residences, 2.5 million job listings, detailed information on 255 thousand physicians and dentists, plus market research and neighborhood research.

EDGAR

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission logo

 

The Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system provides access to domestic and foreign company filings from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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