The Johnson County Library will sign an agreement with the Hispanic Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Oak Park Library, 9500 Bluejacket, Overland Park, Kan., to provide bilingual business services to current and aspiring entrepreneurs. HEDC will have office hours two days a week at the Oak Park Library to assist clients. In August, HEDC will offer the Primo Paso FastTrac class and a small business workshop in coordination with Global Entrepreneurship Week in November.

Visit the Central Resource Library on the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. for a tour the Johnson County Library Career Information Services. This tour includes resources for:

• finding potential employers
• researching for interview preparation
• resources to help salary negotiations
• career information collection including books, audio
  books, downloadable audio books videos, e-books, magazines, online databases and videos

Registration is not required. For more information, call (913) 495-9100.

With today's volatility in the stock market, it's more important than ever to understand how investments react in different economic environments. How are your investments affected when inflation goes up? How can you make money when the stock market goes down? Come to class with your own questions or just come to listen. Class is Monday May 11, 2009; 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the Carmack Room at the Central Resource Library. Registration is required. Please call (913) 495-9100 to register by phone or register online.

In this hands-on class, Librarian Kendra S. will teach personal investors how to use Standard and Poor’s NetAdvantage and Mergent Online. Class is Monday, May 4, 2009; 6:30 p.m. at the Central Resource Library Computer Training Lab. Registration is required. Please call (913) 495-9100 to register by phone or register online.

The Society of Financial Awareness presents "Mortgage Strategies for Today's Market," a financial education seminar. Topics covered by speaker Kyle Rau will include mortgage options in today's market, interest rates, advice for first time home buyers, how credit scores effect mortgages and how to make decisions about refinancing. Join us on Thursday April 16, 2009; 7 p.m. in the Carmack Room of the Central Resource Library. Registration is requested but not required. Please call (913) 495-9100 to register by phone or register online.

In this educational investing seminar, Financial Advisor Tim Murphy will discuss the features of fixed income investments and how quality bonds can serve as the foundation of a well-balanced portfolio. Class is Tuesday April 7, from 10 a.m.-noon. The seminar will be held in the Medium Room at the Central Resource Library. Registration is required. Please call (913) 495-9100 to register by phone or register online.

In this educational investing seminar, Financial Advisor Tim Murphy will discuss current market conditions and how the political, economic and cultural forces shaping our markets can affect you as an investor. The class will be offered twice. Attend on Monday March 23; 6-8 p.m. or Monday March 30; 10 a.m.-noon. The seminar will be held in the Carmack Community Room at the Central Resource Library.  Registration is required. Please call (913) 495-9100 to register by phone or register online.

The Society of Financial Awareness (SOFA) presents "Keep Your Money Safe in a Volatile Market," a financial education seminar. Topics covered by speaker Jim Kinyon will include how to preserve and protect assets against a plunging market and why down markets create investment opportunities for the wise investor. This free seminar will be held at the Central Resource Library on Wednesday, March 11, 2009; 7-9 p.m. No registraion required.

Find manufacturers in your area with the help of online tools and articles hand-picked by librarians at the Johnson County Library.

In December, the Johnson County Library will host representatives from Edward Jones at the Blue Valley Neighborhood Library. They will address the current market situation such as bad loans, recession rumors, etc. and provide pointers in focusing on what you can control. It will help put ups and downs in perspective. In addition, information on Library Web sites relevant to finance will be presented.

Outlook and Opportunities for the Market
Thursday, Dec. 4; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Don't Fear the Bear Market
Wednesday, Dec. 10; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Join us on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008; 1-6 p.m. at the Central Resource Library for GovFest 2008! GovFest brings many governmant agencies together to answer your questions whether you're a beginning entrepreneur or a small business owner seeking help to grow. Learn more...

Go to Reference USA and click the International Businesses search link to find industry reports, RMA financial ratios, and information on over 3 million businesses. The online tutorial on the support page gives a great overview of what OneSource has to offer. All you need is a library card and PIN to get started.

• ReferenceUSA

Please meet us in the Central Resource Library Carmack Community Room every third Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. for a tour of the Johnson County Library Career Information Services department. These tours provide you with tools to help you:

• Find potential employers
• Research for interview preparation
• Negotiate a salary
• Find career information collection including books, audiobooks, downloadable audio books, videos, e-books, magazines, online atabases, videos.

A recent Kansas City Star article featured an interview with the Thomas Gerke, CEO of Embarq located in Overland Park. As a supplement to that article, the librarians on the Business Service Team have selected resources for personal investors who are interested in buying the company’s stock.

A recent Kansas City Star article covered payday lender QC Holdings, the Overland Park-based operator of Cash America stores. As a supplement to that article, the librarians on the Business Services Team at Johnson County Library have selected additional resources on QC Holdings and consumer debt.

The Kansas City Star recently ran an article that highlighted some of the risks dealing with pre-paid funeral expenses can be.  The business librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected online and print materials to help you understand this industry.

photo by improbcat on flickr

A recent article in The Kansas City Star featured a quarterly review of bank financial results. As a supplement to that article, the librarians on the Business Services Team at the Johnson County Library have selected online and print materials to help you understand the state of the banking industry.

photo by gritts1 on flickr

The Kansas City Star recently highlighted the white hot trend that has businesses turning green. The Business Librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected online and print materials to provide businesses with ideas on becoming more environmentally conscious.

The Kansas City Star recently featured an article about the changing landscape of air travel. The Business Librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected online and print materials to help you understand the ins and outs of travel this summer whether you are a road warrior or on a special vacation.

Kansas City is known as the birthplace of the shopping mall. A recent Kansas City Star article highlights a large convention focused on retail real estate and trends for the future. The business librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected resources to help you understand trends, organizations and histories of the great American shopping experience.

Image courtesy of redaryl on Flickr.

A recent Kansas City Star article covered customer satisfaction with cable and satellite television providers. As a supplement to that article, the librarians on the Business Services Team at the Johnson County Library have selected resources to give you more information about how customers rate cable and satellite companies on their service.

photo by johnia! on flickr

The Kansas City Star recently highlighted the world of consulting and consultants. The Business Librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected online resources and print materials that will help you learn more about consultants and how to start your own consulting business.

A recent Kansas City Star article covered the "Our Kids & Money" essay contest. As a supplement to that feature, the Johnson County librarians on the Business Services Team selected great Web sites and books to help you teach your kids about money.

Recently, The Kansas City Star hosted a roundtable discussion on the state of one of the most active places in the metro – downtown. The Business Librarians at Johnson County Library have selected online resources and print materials that help understand the past, the present and the future plans for one of the truly vibrant areas in our community.

photo by roopyfoo on flickr

A recent article in The Kansas City Star covered the February 2009 switch from analog to digital television. As a supplement to that feature, the librarians on the Johnson County Library Business Service Team have selected online resources and print materials that will keep you informed about the transition to digital television and trends in broadcast media.

Recently, The Kansas City Star highlighted the movers and shakers in Kansas City business. The Business Librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected resources to help you research, learn and find out more facts about these major players in the metro.

A recent Kansas City Star article focused on a couple getting a financial makeover including help dealing with real estate issues. The Librarians on the Business Services Team at the Johnson County Libraries have selected resources to help you understand refinance and mortgage products.

The Kansas City Star recently highlighted Honeywell’s efforts to build a new nuclear weapons facility in the Kansas City area. The Business Librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected resources to help you learn more about this iconic player and the issues surrounding building a new nuclear weapons facility.

photo by Bobengr on flickr

Recently, The Kansas City Star looked at the marketing efforts behind one of the more profitable segments of the pharmaceutical industry – sleeping aids. The Business Librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected resources to help you understand the companies, the condition and the current state of big pharma today.

photo by cdw9 on flickr

The Kansas City Star recently ran an article examining how small companies are taking a new look private air travel to meet their business needs. The librarians of the Johnson County Library Business Services Team selected full-text articles and Library materials to help explain the industry and key players in this burgeoning industry.

A recent article in The Kansas City Star gave financial planning advice to the parents of children with special needs. As a supplement to the article, librarians on the Business Service Team at the Johnson County Library selected materials and online resources to help you understand special needs estate planning.

Recently The Kansas City Star focused on the struggles of local mortgage company NovaStar Financial in the midst of the current market conditions. The librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected materials to help you learn more about the company’s prospects and the industry as a whole.

A recent article in The Kansas City Star covered eco-entrepreneurs. As a supplement to that article, the librarians on the Business Services Team at the Johnson County Library have selected resources to help you understand environmentally responsible trends in the business world.

The Kansas City Star recently highlighted tax season and the impact it has on small business. The librarians of the Johnson County Library Business Services Team selected resources that will help self-employed and small business owners understand the maze of tax resources better. Additional information can be found on the taxes section of the Library’s Web site, www.jocolibrary.org/taxes.

The Kansas City Star recently highlighted how stressful life can be as a tax preparer in April. The librarians from the Johnson County Library Business Services Team selected resources so that you can learn more about the stress on these tax professionals and ways to help reduce it.

The Kansas City Star highlighted the plight of local banker IBC as it and other companies struggle with high commodity prices and the pressures it creates for those who buy them. Have you ever wanted to know more about the currently high-flying world of commodity trading? The Business Services librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected resources to help you understand and learn what happens in the pits.

Photo by brighterworlds on flickr

A recent article in The Kansas City Star covered the social networking software industry. As a supplement to that feature, the librarians on the Business Services Team at Johnson County Library have selected resources to help you understand MySpace and Facebook.

photo by luc legay on flickr

In April 2008, The Kansas City Star covered the impact of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) in the Kansas City area five years after its arrival. As a supplement to the article, the librarians on the Business Services Team at Johnson County Library have selected resources to help you learn more about this organization and related issues in modern healthcare.

In March 2008, The Kansas City Star covered the problems with commercial real estate loans showing up in regional bank financial results. As a supplement to the article, the librarians on the Business Services Team at Johnson County Library have selected resources to help you evaluate the financial strength of banks and the banking industry.

The Kansas City Star recently took at look at the issue of entrepreneurship through the gender glass. The Business Services librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected resources that highlight the differences between the two and how they coexist together in the marketplace.

In March 2008, The Kansas City Star covered the growing backlog of Social Security disability claims. As a supplement to the Star article, the librarians on the Business Services Team at the Johnson County Library have selected additional materials to help you understand the Social Security disability system and the administrative process for obtaining benefits.

The Kansas City Star recently highlighted the KU Enterprise Center’s focus on curing colorectal cancer. The Business Librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected resources for you to learn more about how universities can be great for leading edge science to take its first steps toward becoming a full-fledged business.

photo by stellar63max66

A recent Kansas City Star article focused on a social services worker in the process of paying off student loans and credit cards. As a supplement to that article, the librarians on the Business Services Team at Johnson County Library have selected resources to educate young people about paying for college, student loan debt, and managing personal finances.

A March 2008 article in The Kansas City Star covered the outlook for homeowners in the Kansas City area. As a supplement to that article, the librarians on the Business Services Team at Johnson County Library have selected Web sites and books to provide you with more information on local housing markets.

The World Wide Web continues to be a volatile marketplace, but one that still offers business opportunities as highlighted in a recent Kansas City Star article. The librarians of the Business Reference Services Team have selected resources to help you understand and even take the first steps toward opening a business on the Web.

As an addition to The Kansas City Star’s March 2008 personal finance guide, the Business Services Team at the Johnson County Library have selected resources to help personal investors make informed financial decisions. The Library subscribes to several proprietary databases and numerous print publications that are excellent sources of investment information.

Even in the dead of winter, thoughts of a crystal clear lake can help people make the decision to buy a boat. The Kansas City Star recently highlighted the boat business, and the librarians of the Johnson County Library’s Business Services Team have selected resources to help you understand the boat industry and factors to consider when buying a boat.

Photo courtesy cmcclave on Flickr 

A recent Kansas City Star article took a look at the nation's largest trucking company, YRC Worldwide, located in Overland Park. Is it a good investment? What are the prospects for this company and industry? The Business Services Team at Johnson County Library has selected resources to help you understand the challenges that YRC faces in the context of the slowdown in the trucking industry.

photo by Pro-Zack

Recently, The Kansas City Star highlighted a trend of long waits and crowding in the metro’s Emergency Rooms. The Business Services Team and Consumer Health Specialist at the Johnson County Library have selected materials to help you further understand the drivers behind gridlock at some emergency rooms. 

Photo courtesy colbalt123 on Flickr 

A recent Kansas City Star article focused on the college admissions process – through the eyes of the admissions officers at William Jewell College. The Business Services Team at the Johnsons County Library has selected resources to help you with the college application process. 

Photo courtesy tcd123usa on Flickr 

A recent Kansas City Star article highlighted local entrepreneurs who service the “romantic marketplace” often highlighted during Valentine’s Day. So are you a romantic at heart and an entrepreneur? Want to find out what it’s like to run a successful business in this sector? The librarians of the Johnson County Library’s Business Services team have collected resources to help you understand and even get started serving this niche market.

Local stocks haven’t fared well in the first part of 2008, and personal investors are looking for defensive strategies that protect their portfolios in a volatile market. As a supplement to a Kansas City Star article on the importance of portfolio diversification in the current economy, the Business Services Team at the Johnson County Library selected articles and books on how to guard your investments.

The Kansas City Star recently published an article about salary structures for new attorneys here in Kansas City versus the coasts.  Have you ever thought about pursuing a law career? The Business Services Team at the Johnson County Library has selected resources for those thinking about or preparing for the bar.

Photo courtesy Scutter on Flickr

According to the 2002 Economic Census, Americans spent more than 16 billion dollars at hobby retail stores. As a supplement to a recent Kansas City Star article on hobby-related consumer spending, the Business Services Team at the Johnson County Library has selected resources on the hobby consumer market and retail sector.

Photo courtesy Wooldancer on Flickr

A recent Kansas City Star article covered the H-2B Visa program and its impact on local small businesses. The Business Services Team at Johnson County Library have selected articles, books, and Web sites to help you understand the debate surrounding the H-2B Visa program and immigration.

Smart cars, the tiny fuel-efficient vehicles already popular in Europe, hit U.S. showrooms this week, starting with Daimler’s ForTwo model. As a supplement to a Kansas City Star article, the Business Services Team at Johnson County Library has selected resources for auto buyers interested in learning more about the Daimler’s Smart cars.

Photo courtesy MMOROG on Flickr

Take a drive down 67th street in Merriam, Kan. and you'll find the headquarters for Lee Jeans. A recent Kansas City Star article in the Business Section focused on the jean comany. The Business Services Team at Johnson County Library selected online and print materials for those interested in learning more about the apparel industry, Lee Jeans and its parent company, VF Corp.

A recent Kansas City Star article looked at Waddell & Reed, a mutual fund company based in Overland Park. The Business Services Team at the Johnson County Library has selected Web sites and books to help individual mutual fund investors make informed financial decisions.

Photo courtesy betizuka on Flickr

A recent Kansas City Star article highlighted the new Ford F-150 and how it will impact the Claycomo plant in Missouri. The librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected Web sites and books that focus on the Ford Motor Company and the global automobile industry.

Photo courtesy Ford Motor Company on Flickr

A recent Kansas City Star article focuses on higher education and MBA programs. The librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected Web sites and books to help you with the process of choosing and gaining admittance to the MBA program that is right for you.

Photo courtesy activfree on Flickr

The Kansas City Star recently focused on the work and future plans of Children’s Mercy Hospital – one of the communities leading medical resources for families. The librarians at the Johnson County Library have selected Web sites and books to help you understand the current state of children’s hospitals as well as a history of the Kansas City’s own icon.

A recent Kansas City Star article featured a roundtable discussion with three local financial experts about the outlook for the stock market and the economy in 2008. The Business Services Team at the Johnson County Library selected online databases, Web sites and titles to help you be informed when making important investment decisions.

The Kansas City Star/JoCoBusiness.net weekly features have moved. Find last year's great topics like medical tourism, charitable giving and the housing market on the 2007 Features page.