Skip to content
Hours & Location, opens an overlay Help, opens an overlay
Main navigation Events
Open search form

Business Support

BUSINESS SERVICES

BUSINESS SERVICES

Supporting Your Small Business Needs

Dayton Metro Library is committed to supporting small businesses by serving as a trusted space for gathering information, exploring ideas, and providing reliable guidance. We offer business classes, partner programming with other organizations, 1-on-1 advising sessions, and database staff training.

Through our business services, we connect business owners to the essential tools, systems, and resources needed to maximize their impact. By fostering learning, innovation, and community connections, the library helps empower local businesses to grow, thrive, and strengthen the economic vitality of our region.

We offer business services designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage, including classes on starting a business, accessing funding, and building effective marketing strategies. Patrons also have access to powerful databases for business planning, legal support, and market research, along with signature annual programs and events.

Upcoming Programs & Events

View more events

Classes

  • Finding Funding for Small Business - Learn how to position your business for funding. Explore funding options like grants, loans, and alternative financing to support your business growth.
  • Introduction to Market Research Databases - Learn how to leverage market research to promote your business outreach strategies.
  • Starting a Business in Ohio - Learn the essential steps to turn your idea into a business, including registration, planning, and next steps.

Databases

  • Gale Business Plan Builder - A step-by-step online planning tool for starting, managing and optimizing a business or nonprofit. The program’s intuitive dashboard walks users through five areas of exploration to develop a business plan focused on long-term success.
  • Legal Forms - Offers a wide selection of essential state-specific (and multi-state) legal forms that may be customized for the most common legal procedures.
  • Reference Solutions - Reference Solutions is a powerful online reference and research tool providing library cardholders instant, real-time access to accurate, in-depth information on U.S. businesses and residents. Reference Solutions makes it faster and easier to find new business opportunities, research executives, companies, consumer lifestyles, and much more!
  • View our full is list of Business & Legal Resources

Signature Events

  • Business Resource Fair-Spring (April) - Connect with local organizations offering tools, funding, and support services for entrepreneurs.
  • Black Business Symposium (August) - A signature event focused on empowering Black entrepreneurs through networking, expert insights, and resource connections.
  • Business Resource Fair - Fall (October) - Connect with local organizations offering tools, funding, and support services for entrepreneurs.
  • Business Financial Document & Tax Prep Workshop (December) - Get expert guidance on organizing and preparing important financial documents for tax season and business success.

New Titles Supporting Small Business

Patrner Organizations & Community Resources

Reach Out for Advice

Discover the power of free library spaces to support small businesses at every stage. Whether you’re hosting an event, planning a meeting, conducting interviews, or creating content, the library offers versatile spaces equipped to help you do your best work. Make the most of these community resources and elevate your business at no cost.

Hours for The Center

The Center is located at the Main Library

Mon: 10am - 6pm |  Tue, Wed, Fri: 9:30am - 6pm  |  Thu: 11am - 6pm

Second Saturday Each Month: 9:30am - 2pm

Holidays and Closures

  • Memorial Day
    Sunday, May 24, 2026 - Monday, May 25, 2026
    Closed All Day
  • Juneteenth
    Friday, June 19, 2026
    Closed All Day
  • Independence Day
    Saturday, July 4, 2026 - Sunday, July 5, 2026
    Closed All Day
  • Staff Development Day
    Wednesday, August 5, 2026
    Closed All Day
  • Labor Day
    Sunday, September 6, 2026 - Monday, September 7, 2026
    Closed All Day
  • Indigenous Peoples' Day
    Sunday, October 11, 2026 - Monday, October 12, 2026
    Closed All Day
  • Veteran's Day
    Wednesday, November 11, 2026
    Closed All Day
  • Thanksgiving
    Thursday, November 26, 2026
    Closed All Day
  • Christmas Eve
    Thursday, December 24, 2026
    Closed All Day
  • Christmas
    Friday, December 25, 2026 - Saturday, December 26, 2026
    Closed All Day
  • New Year's Eve
    Thursday, December 31, 2026
    Closed All Day
  • New Year's Day
    Friday, January 1, 2027 - Saturday, January 2, 2027
    Closed All Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
    Sunday, January 17, 2027 - Monday, January 18, 2027
    Closed All Day
Back to Top