While the Business Department at the BRIC is physically closed we remain committed to your professional development. Our programs and services have been moved online. Check out our upcoming virtual programs, schedule an appointment with a librarian, stay current by signing up for our newsletter, and access our virtual library of classes and database demonstrations. Still have questions? Reach out to us and let us know how we can help!
The Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC) at the Free Library of Philadelphia supports entrepreneurs, nonprofits, job seekers, and inventors at every stage, helping to improve their skills through individualized guidance in research, public programs, and curated print and digital resources. We create multiple entry points for those with ideas, plans, skills, and passions, enabling people to make fact-based decisions in order to fulfill their goals.
Visit or Contact Us
Hours
| Sunday |
Closed |
| Monday |
Closed |
| Tuesday |
Closed |
| Wednesday |
Closed |
| Thursday |
Closed |
| Friday |
Closed |
| Saturday |
Closed |
- * Sunday had hour changes - Due to COVID-19 the Business Resource and Innovation Center is closed to the public. Staff is available for phone and email reference.
- * Monday had hour changes - Due to COVID-19 the Business Resource and Innovation Center is closed to the public. Staff is available for phone and email reference.
- * Tuesday had hour changes - Due to COVID-19 the Business Resource and Innovation Center is closed to the public. Staff is available for phone and email reference.
- * Wednesday had hour changes - Due to COVID-19 the Business Resource and Innovation Center is closed to the public. Staff is available for phone and email reference.
- * Thursday had hour changes - Due to COVID-19 the Business Resource and Innovation Center is closed to the public. Staff is available for phone and email reference.
- * Friday had hour changes - Due to COVID-19 the Business Resource and Innovation Center is closed to the public. Staff is available for phone and email reference.
- * Saturday had hour changes - Due to COVID-19 the Business Resource and Innovation Center is closed to the public. Staff is available for phone and email reference.
Press
If you're in the "I have an idea but now what?" stage of entrepreneurship, the Business Resource and Innovation Center at the Parkway Central branch makes for a great first stop. Just don't expect free coffee.
For its 570,441 cardholders, the Free Library system offers thousands of resources, materials, online courses, workshops, and classes.
In the Free Library's new Business Resource and Innovation Center, you can be as noisy as you want, even eat there. You can get free headshots taken for your LinkedIn profile, or a video of you practicing pitches. Or take a class on how to write a business plan.
Check out the latest edition of the Free Library, exult in the beauty of Fairmount Park, or follow the footsteps of African-American artists in North Philly.
The expansion of the Library includes a new teen center with video games; a Manga animation collection, and young adult novels; a small business resource center with powerful wifi and onsite consultants; and 7,200 square feet of undetermined public space with chairs, tables, power outlets, and meeting rooms to be used however one wishes.
In its largest renovation since its opening in 1927, the Free Library of Philadelphia is set open 41,000 square feet of newly reimagined space within the Parkway Central Library after years of planning and renovation.
The Free Library of Philadelphia's renovation is the largest since it was completed in 1927, and increases the building's public space to 68 percent.
There will be three new areas: the Robert and Eileen Kennedy Heim Center for Cultural and Civic Engagement, the Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC), and the Marie and Joseph Field Teen Center.
Taking Care of Business in the 21st Century is the fifth installment in the Association's "Quick Reads for Busy Librarians" series. The Quick Reads series features publications under 100 pages long and covering topics deemed essential to modern public library workers.
The Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC) of the Free Library of Philadelphia is a core partner of Phialdelphia VIP's LawWorks program, the city's only broad-based provider of critical legal support to the small businesses and nonprofits creating employment opportunities, generating tax revenues, and serving their communities.
The Free Library's Business Resource and Innovation Center wants to teach Philly entrepreneurs a thing or two about pitching. Next week, the Parkway Central Library will launch the Pitch Corner, a new resources and space for innovators where they can hone their business pitches and strengthen elevator pitches about their assets and aptitudes.
The Free Library of Philadelphia on Wednesday will launch the Pitch Corner, a new tool for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and job seekers. It's a semiprivate space in the Parkway Central Library's business center where start-ups can practice and record their pitch in front of a video camera.
3rd Place: BRIC librarians represented by Rebekah Ray. The Free Library of Philadelphia, Business Resource & Innovation Center (BRIC) curates information for and fosters the growth of new social enterprises and nonprofits.
Blog Posts
Business Librarian and Business Owner: Business Plans Made Easy with Gale Business Plan Builder
Have you ever wished you could find a resource that would practically write your business plan for you? Well, your wish has come true! Gale Small Business Builder is a step-by-step online planning tool for starting, managing, and optimizing a… continue reading
By Sharontina H. April 16, 2021 1
Five Alternatives to Starting a Nonprofit
Are you thinking about starting a nonprofit organization? In the Regional Foundation Center (RFC), the Free Library’s resource center for nonprofits, we see lots of folks who are committed to helping their community and want to give… continue reading
By Caitlin S. April 13, 2021
Business Librarian to Business Owner: Do Your Research! Trademark Edition
If you’ve been following our previous blog installments , then you will probably recall last month’s account of competitor copy-cat syndrome . We haven’t heard a word from this business since then, mainly because they blocked us… continue reading
By Sharontina H. March 22, 2021
Women and Investing: A Panel Discussion in Celebration of Women’s History Month
Vanguard and the Free Library of Philadelphia will present a lively panel discussion in celebration of Women's History Month on Monday, March 22, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Sharon Hill, Ph.D., Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Alpha Equity… continue reading
By Joe S. March 16, 2021 1
Ask an Accountant: Business Edition
‘Tis the season for thawing, Shamrock Shakes, and Spring (finally!). It’s also tax season, so we’re hitting you with some hard truths about everyone’s favorite topic: accounting! We spoke with Joey Pfluger from tax and… continue reading
By Gillian R. March 8, 2021
Business Librarian and Business Owner: Protect Your Ideas
Protect Your Ideas As a business owner, you probably already have or most definitely will come up with great ideas. Afterall, great ideas are what businesses are born from and what sustains them. Great ideas also present the ultimate… continue reading
By Sharontina H. February 17, 2021
Business Librarian and Business Owner: Goal Setting and Planning
The new year brings about an urgency to create new goals, make resolutions, change some of our habits, and look toward the future. This applies not only to our personal lives, but to business as well—whether you’re in the start-up… continue reading
By Sharontina H. January 25, 2021
At Home with BRIC: Take a Deep Dive Into Company and Demographic Research with Reference Solutions
The Business Resource and Innovation Center ’s (BRIC) free business resources are accessible anywhere! That means you can conduct business research at your leisure from the comfort of your home. So put on some cozy clothes, grab a… continue reading
By Gillian R. December 9, 2020
Business Librarian and Business Owner: Gaining Visibility
In the world of entrepreneurship, one of the most challenging aspects of business ownership is finding ways to let the most people know that your business exists, i.e. visibility. There are many factors that will determine which channels are used… continue reading
By Sharontina H. November 23, 2020 1
New Virtual Career Workshops
Have you been meaning to revise your resume, but are not sure how to get started? Would you like to learn new skills to conquer your next job interview? Are you interested in making your LinkedIn profile stand out? Check out our… continue reading
By Margaret T. November 5, 2020