Business Resources Center
Business Resources Center
Library Databases
To access these databases from home, please enter your 13-digit library card number (no spaces) when prompted.
Business Insights: Essentials
Company profiles, histories and detailed industry information.
Data Axle Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA)
Select “U.S. Business” from the drop down menu for detailed business information. Select “U.S. Residential” to conduct market research or locate friends and relatives.
SCORE
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. NEW!
Find free L.A. County resources for financial planning, free income tax assistance, credit repair/building and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Data Axle Reference Solutions (see above) is the best source for information on over 14 million U.S. companies. The Quick Search feature allows you to search by company name or telephone number.
Data Axle Reference Solutions (see above) lets you search businesses throughout the U.S. The Custom Search feature lets you mix and match over 30 different search criteria to create the type of list you want.
BigCharts and Yahoo! Finance provide historical prices for most stocks. The Business Resource Center at the Norwalk Library has the Daily Stock Price Record, which lists stock prices for most U.S. companies from 1974-2001.
You can check the safety or your bank deposit at www.fdic.gov. TheStreet and BankRate give letter-grade ratings for banks throughout the U.S.
Annual Credit Report is the official website to get a free credit report from the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. You can get all three reports at once or spread them out throughout the year.
The Small Business Administration provides a Small Business Planner with information on writing a business plan, financing, licenses and permits, managing a business and even getting out of business. SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.
Research In the Library
The Clifton M. Brakensiek Library offers a small business work space for entrepreneurs and small business owners. This work space includes the following features:
High speed internet access
Free Wi-Fi
Free color printing
Scanner
Conference area for meetings
Small business collection
How to Book the Room
Contact the Clifton M. Brakensiek Library at 562.925.5543 to reserve the room. If there are no reservations, the room is available on a first-come, first-served basis. All users are restricted to two hours per day. The room is only available during the library’s open hours.
Need help researching a business question? Ask a Librarian. (We do not provide financial advice.)
These titles are available at the Norwalk Library
The Norwalk Library has an extensive business collection of reference books, journals and trade magazines. Materials in the business collection must be used in the Library.
Popular Titles
- ACCRA Cost of Living Index
- AEA Business Startup Manuals
- Business Plans Handbook
- D & B Million Dollar Directory
- D & B Regional Business Directories
- Small Business Sourcebook
- Weiss Ratings Guides to banks, insurance companies and credit unions
Investment Titles
- Morningstar Investment Newsletters
- Standard & Poor’s Daily Stock Price Record
- Standard & Poor’s Outlook
- Value Line
Journals & Trade Magazines
- Industry-specific, investing, small business and marketing magazines
Other Business Resources
BankOn
Provides access to safe and affordable financial products and services in partnership with Los Angeles County Consumer & Business Affairs.
