Library Guide

The Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre (C/NSBSC) Reference Library is a great resource for potential entrepreneurs as well as owners and staff of already existing businesses. Whether you are looking for information on writing a business plan; locating distributors and manufacturers; or researching foreign market opportunities, the C/NSBSC Library has material that can help you. The Business Resources are available, for on-site use, in a variety of formats; you are welcome to review the print material, and search our electronic databases or the Internet (business-related research only). All materials are business-related and include directories, handbooks, almanacs, magazines, trade journals (electronic form), market reports, and many more.

Business Information Officers will be happy to assist you, so please do not hesitate to ask for help whenever you need it.

CONTENTS

Print Publications
Public Workstations
Examples of Databases

Print Publications

The C/NSBSC Reference Library is organized in eight major subject headings. To facilitate retrieval of the material, each heading is divided in sub-sections (see below). All printed materials are listed in the “Library Collection” database accessible on our public workstations as well as on our website at: http://www.cbsc.org/ns/library.cfm.

The publications are for on-site use only. However, during each visit you are permitted to make up to 20 photocopies free of charge.

MAJOR SUBJECT HEADINGS

1. Business

This section contains information that is useful to all entrepreneurs and is non-sector specific. It is sub-divided into the following topics:

2. Entrepreneur by Type

Publications relevant to specific entrepreneur groups are kept in this section. It contains the following sub-sections:

3. Magazine Collection

There are recent copies of business-related magazines such as Atlantic Progress, Report on Business, ExportWise, and much more.

4. Reference

This section contains the following:

• Atlas
• Directories (distributors, manufacturers, chambers of commerce, etc.)
• Statistical information
• Trade shows
• General information on government departments

5. Sector

Publications relating to specific industry (includes exporting information) are kept in this section. The sub-sections include:

6. Start-Up Guides and Business Plans

This section contains two series that will help you start a “specific” type of business (e.g., Bed & Breakfast, Restaurant, etc.). These publications walk you through the process you will need to follow to set up shop, sell your product or service, hire employees, get financing, design marketing strategies, and identify legal considerations for a variety of different enterprises.

We have many sample business plans for specific types of businesses available as well.

7. Trade – By Country

In this section you will find information on doing business with specific countries (non-sector specific) including directories of manufacturers and suppliers outside Canada (e.g., wholesalers in U.S. ). This section includes a sub-section on:

8. Trade – By Topic

This section contains general information on export and import and on the trade agreements.

9. Vertical Files

These files are a compilation of resources about a specific topic. It may include sources such as Internet, pamphlets, magazine articles, etc. The vertical file is used by our staff as a place to file previous research, and interesting bits of business related information and is available for public use in the Reference Library.

Public Workstations

To help you with business-related research, our Resource Library is equipped with three public computer workstations. Using electronic databases or the Internet will enable you to find information such as industry and company profiles, supplier or manufacturer listings, market trends, statistical information, international business practices, and much more.

No appointment is necessary to access the workstations. All you have to do is sign in at the Library Reference Desk upon arrival. Our Information Officers will be happy to help you when required.

Usage of the computer terminals is limited to 30 minutes. You can print up to 20 pages at no cost, however, downloading information and usage of e-mail (e.g. Hotmail) is not permitted.

Examples of Databases

Here are some of our databases you can access on the Public Computer Terminals.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.