Small Business Loans
by cecile
A major problem facing small business owners today is the difficulty in arranging credit and bank loans to finance ongoing operations. Many financial institutions have been reluctant to lend money at a reasonable rate, if at all.
One retailer, Sam's Club, realizing this situation was impacting their business customer's ability to buy at their stores, has gotten creative. About half of the store's members are small business owners and they account for more than half the revenue at the retailer. As a result of surveying their customer's needs, they will soon start marketing S.B.A. loans of $5,000 to $25,000 for members nationwide. The company that is managing the loans is giving Sam's members a $100 discount on the application fee, and lower interest rates, because of how much business it expects through the arrangement. You can learn about how it works at Sam's Club S.B.A. Program.
The Ann Arbor District Library has many resources designed to help small business owners.
To find potential new business use Reference USA to get detailed information on over 15 million businesses including company size and sales information, stock information, and management biographies. To discover new ways of doing business and up-to-date management techniques use General Business File to find millions of articles on business and finance for analyzing company performance, industry events, and the latest in management, economics, and politics.
Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business, Deduct It!: Lower Your Small Business Taxes, The 7 Irrefutable Rules Of Small Business Growth and The Small Business Start-up Kit are just a small sample of the many books we have devoted to helping the small business owner.
Anybody Lose a Cow: Ann Arbor Classifieds Then and Now
by DavidQ
The classified ads are a window into what's going on in a community. For instance, even though most of the ads on Ann Arbor Craig's List are about lost pets and used things for sale, a post like this gives us hints to the exciting night life that our town has to offer:
Two dimes and a nickle - found (A2)
Date: 2010-04-16, 1:27PM EDT
I found two dimes and a nickle on the sidewalk in front of the Arena last night. If you
lost two dimes and a nickle please contact me, I would be delighted to return
them to you. Please be prepared to identify said coins.
Well, things were no less different in Ann Arbor in the mid-nineteenth century. Do you know about The Signal of Liberty, Ann Arbor's historic abolitionist newspaper. We have the Signal on our website, and it's a great resource for learning about the history of anti-slavery in this area.
BUT, it also includes many classified ads that offer an intriguing look into what Ann Arborites were up to in the 1840's.
Here's one from the September 22, 1841 issue from Michael Puttel.
Let's hope that Michael and Eliza patched things up.
These two from July 7th and August 4th seem to be 1841's version of a lost pet ad.
How does one lost a cow... or multiple horses? These two ads also contain the recurring offer for a free Signal subscription in return for Wood! Wood! Wood!
This ad, also from July 7th but recurring throughout the paper's run, is here simply to beg one question: What is a "smut machine"?
Videos of local history now online at the Bentley Historical Library
by amy
The Bentley Historical Library has recently digitized over 1,000 individual films and videotapes as part of their Video Preservation Project, some of which are available as streaming files and can be viewed online. Film subjects include student protest and teach-ins, homecoming and pep rallies, science and medicine. Among them is "Your Home Town, Ann Arbor Michigan", which includes footage of UM football team and coaches, Ann Arbor businesses and their employees, a children's pet parade, and patrons leaving the Michigan Theater. "Michigan on the March" includes scenes of war-related activities on campus during WWII, and another documents the First Vietnam Teach-In in 1965.
A sneak peek into the future of the University Musical Society's past
by amy
Join us on Sunday, March 14, when the Ann Arbor District Library and the University Musical Society (UMS) will unveil two new collections as part of an ongoing collaboration to bring UMS archives online. We'll demonstrate how to browse and search thousands of pages of historical programs from the Society's first 100 seasons. We'll also provide a glimpse into our growing collection of over 900 photographs featuring backstage and candid shots of performers throughout UMS's rich history. Following a brief demonstration of each collection, UMS President Ken Fischer will highlight some memorable events and anecdotes from seasons past.
Sunday, March 14, 2-4 p.m. | Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room
Preserving Your Photographic Heritage
by lucroe
How can you preserve and protect precious photographs so that memories may last for future generations? Learn how to protect your personal mementos with local experts. Dianna Samuelson of the Bentley Historical Library will explain how to preserve and restore photographs, while George Borel Jr. of Huron Camera Shop will give information on what can be done digitally to repair photos. Get a head start by checking out these books on .
Join us Wednesday January 13, 2010: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room for Preserving Your Photographic Heritage.
Keep Michigan Working
by monkk
Are you job searching? Try using the website Keep Michigan Working. You can check out the high demand occupations in our area, get information on unemployment insurance benefits, and access the Michigan Talent Bank and more! Also, be sure to check out the AADL's current materials that will help you get the most out of your search. Good luck!
Prospective Homebuyer Information
by SarahRose
If the news that the homebuyer tax credit has been extended into 2010 has you tempted to start looking for your dream home, AADL has lots of resources to help you. AADL Select Sites includes a section of websites selected by librarians specifically for house buying and selling. You can search for real estate on trulia.com or zillow.com or calculate how much you can afford with a mortgage calculator. I also found Nolo's Essential Guide To Buying Your First Home helpful when I was looking to buy my house.
Now what was that going around?
by sherlonya
Have you heard of Fifth Disease? I hadn't either until someone I know mentioned it.
As fall turns into winter, we hear a lot about the flu and find an abundance of related information, but what do you do when you are looking for quick, easy-to-read information about other communicable diseases? Enter Washtenaw County Public Health. They have an entire page dedicated to fact sheets containing accurate, up-to-date information about the latest bug to hit the college dorm or kindergarten classroom. Of course, this is no substitute for medical advice or diagnosis, but here you can find out more about what something is, what the symptoms are and how it is treated.
Take a survey and help the Michigan Electronic Library
by amy
Have a few minutes? If so, consider helping the Michigan Electronic Library (MeL) by taking this survey. In an effort to continue improving MeL resources, including the popular MeLCat state-wide catalog, the Library of Michigan is conducting a study on the Michigan eLibrary to make sure libraries and Michigan residents get the most benefit from the program. The survey takes only a few minutes to complete...and you may be surprised to discover what's available for free through MeL.
A World Without Ice: Nobel Prize Winner Henry Pollack and the Implications of Climate Change
by Debbie G.
University of Michigan Professor Emeritus and Nobel Prize Winner Henry Pollack will discuss his new book, World Without Ice, on Wednesday, Nov. 18th, 7 p.m. at the Downtown Library. A starred review in Kirkus leads the raves on this "clear, engaging review of a disturbing environmental pattern." Dr. Pollack will answer questions and sign books following the presentation.