Library to host series of business workshops

Topics include social media, website design, strategic planning, digital marketing.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or thinking of starting a small business, the Round Rock Public Library is here to help you learn the ropes.

The library is partnering with Austin SCORE to host a series of free workshops to assist entrepreneurs and small businesses from Sept. 21 to Oct. 26 at the library, 216 E. Main St.

SCORE is a nonprofit dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow and maintain their business, according to its website.

The six, two-hour workshops are presented by local experts and practitioners and cover issues facing small-business owners and entrepreneurs, including finances, marketing and strategic planning.

“The speakers are mainly from Round Rock and Austin,” said Geeta Halley, public services manager at the library. “They are well-established in their businesses, so they want to give back to the community.”

The workshops began in 2014. Halley said people would often come to the library searching for books to help their small businesses, which drove the library to start hosting the courses.

“Our first class had 75 people attend,” said Halley, adding that they have had a steady attendance of 20 to 30 people over the years. She said people from as far away as San Marcos, Kyle and Fort Worth have attended.

“I knew then that this is actually something that there’s an interest in,” she said.

Halley was honored in 2017 as a Small Business Champion of the Year by the SBA San Antonio district office for the program.

“We don’t just have recreational materials,” she said about the library. “We actually drive the economy. We contribute to the economic development of Round Rock, so your tax money does go for good things.”

Some of this year’s workshop topics include how to build customer loyalty using social media, the basics of website design and how to make online reviews work for a business.

Kathy Schwartz, a representative from KMS Communications LLC, will lead the first workshop with a presentation called Digital Marketing Made Easy, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 21. The workshop will cover the basics of digital marketing before delving into other tools for success.

Participants do not need a Round Rock Public Library card to attend.

To register, visit roundrocktexas.gov/ business-center. For more information, call Halley at 512-218-7018.