GROW YOUR BUSINESS

with Libraries NI

BUSINESS INFORMATION SERVICE Libraries NI Business Information Service is the most comprehensive publicly available source of free business information in Northern Ireland, with specialist staff on hand to help.

Resources include

• market research reports • company information • business start-up advice and support • intellectual property information and standards • business and financial newspapers and magazines • specialised book stock We can

• help you identify customers and learn about competitors • help you compile customer databases and mailing lists • provide advice about intellectual property rights and standards • assist in your search for suppliers • help you research market trends

MARKET RESEARCH REPORTS TO HELP YOU FIND MARKET TRENDS AND IDENTIFY COMPETITORS Mintel (online and hardcopy)

•• Reports covering the UK and Ireland (North and South). •• UK reports covering the food, drink, household and leisure sectors. •• Irish reports covering the financial, industrial, market and retail sectors.

Each report has information on Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland listed separately.

•• Reports are detailed, and include information on market size, products, consumers, companies, growth forecasts and trends.

•• Mintel also has company information for large companies. Keynote (online and hardcopy)

• Comprehensive set of UK market research reports covering the financial, industrial and leisure sectors. • Reports are detailed and include information on market size, products, consumers, companies, growth forecasts and trends. • Keynote also includes company data, information about finances and directors.

Top Markets (online and hardcopy)

• Report gives a comprehensive overview of groups of UK related market sectors e.g. one report covers the printing, publishing and office equipment sectors. • Reports include information about market size, products, consumer trends, companies and growth forecasts.

Market Forecasts (online and hardcopy)

•• Provides forecasts for a four year period, and covers trends in particular market sectors.

BUSINESS START-UP ADVICE AND SUPPORT Cobra (online and hardcopy)

• The best resource for information on starting a small business. • Has specific information on a wide range of small business sector opportunities whether starting a restaurant or a bouncy castle business. Individual reports include practical advice on start-up, costs, legal issues, market conditions, qualifications required and marketing strategies.

• Detailed advice on the day to day running of a small business. • Individual reports include information on health and safety, using information technology, marketing, staff issues, premises and legal matters.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION AND STANDARDS TO INFORM YOU OF GUIDELINES AND OFFER ADVICE British Standards (online only available in Belfast Central Library)

• A complete set of 27,000 current quality standards for goods and services.

Includes guidelines promoting best practice for organisations in the production and use of products and services. Also includes standards that organisations must legally adhere to in areas such as health and safety e.g. legal standards for making motorcycle helmets.

Patents

• Information about protecting your intellectual property rights. • The Business Information Service is part of the Patent Information Network

offering advice and facilitating access to information about patents, trademarks and other areas of intellectual property rights.

• Belfast Central Library has a collection of hardcopy UK patents from 1617.

BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES These include Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Investors Chronicle, Money Management, Campaign and Stubbs Gazette.

SPECIALIST BOOK STOCK Our book stock includes economics, commerce, management, business studies, manufacturing, construction, business start-up and intellectual property.

Workshops and visits available in Belfast Central, Derry Central and other library locations. Email [email protected] for details or use the contact information below.

Information Service Belfast Central Library

First Floor, Royal Avenue, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 1EA t: 028 9050 9150 f: 028 9033 2819 e: [email protected]

OPENING HOURS Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

9.30am - 8.00pm 9.30am - 8.00pm 9.30am - 8.00pm 9.30am - 8.00pm 9.30am - 5.30pm 9.30am - 4.30pm

Derry Central Library

35 Foyle Street, Derry, County Londonderry, BT48 6AL t: 028 7127 2310 f: 028 7126 9084 e: [email protected]

OPENING HOURS Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

8.30am - 8.00pm 8.30am - 5.30pm 8.30am - 5.30pm 8.30am - 8.00pm 8.30am - 5.30pm 9.30am - 4.30pm