Library Services
General start-up Information – Books
For those starting a small business, good starting points are the following books available in the Sacramento Public Library:| The complete idiot's guide to starting your own business by Edward Paulson Popular guide helping the entrepreneur planning and setting up a new business. |
| How to start a business in California by Entrepreneur Press. Practical guide covering choosing your business, business plans, financing, marketing, employee management, and much more. |
| Legal forms for starting & running a small business by Fred Steingold Over 60 legal forms and documents with instructions on leasing space, hiring employees, writing contracts, buy a business, borrowing money, etc. |
| Legal guide for starting & running a small business by Fred S. Steingold Also available as an e-book. Written clearly for layperson, this book will take you through the legal issues concerning the form of your business, naming your business, raising money, leases, buying a business, franchises, employees and customers. |
| The small business start-up kit by Peri H. Pakroo Step-by-step instruction for launching your business on such topics as pricing, drafting contracts, selling online, and choosing a location. |
Reference Books |
| Bond's franchise guide Older editions circulating. A directory of over 1,000 franchisors with description and contact information. Also profiles franchise attorneys, consultants and service providers. |
| Business plans handbook : a compilation of actual business plans developed for small businesses throughout North America. Multi-volume complete business plans for particular types of businesses. Also has listings of organizations, agencies, and consultants |
| The Franchise handbook Quarterly publication listing hundreds of franchises alphabetically by industry. Contact information, fee, and opportunities for training. Online list of franchisors with addresses: http://www.franchisehandbook.com/directory/ |
| RMA annual statement studies Financial ratio benchmarks by industry. Financial statement ratios, balance sheet and income statement information; breakdowns by asset and sales size categories. |
| Standard & Poor's industry surveys Latest at Central Library, Business Services shelf. Overview, analysis, and outlook of industries. With charts, tables, and further sources of information. This is a highly respected and authoritative reference. |
| Small business sourcebook In 2 volumes. Resource information and profiles of over 330 types of small businesses. Plus small business topics and listings for state and federal government help. |
| Follow up with a catalog search under the subjects New business enterprises, New business enterprises management, Entrepreneurship, Small business, or Small business management. To see the latest titles first, change System Sorted to Reverse Year |
| General Small Business topics are found on library shelves in 658.022, 658.041, 658.042, 658.11, 658.15 (financing), and 658.1522 (business plans). See the online catalog for specific small businesses such as: Restaurant management; Automobile detailing; Consultants; Catering; Day care centers, Export marketing, Building cleaning industry, Vending machines, Landscaping industry, Accounting firms, Retail trade management, Home-based businesses, and others. |