Upcoming Genealogy Workshops

Genealogy 101 Workshops

Wednesday, March 12: 6:00 PM

Saturday, April 12, 12 Noon 

Grand Blanc McFarlen Library

For the spring 2014 term, Genesee District Library is offering two identical seminars introducing genealogy research to those looking to learn more about their family tree. These seminars are intended for the novice researcher, and will introduce available online and print resources and best techniques for searching. Not sure where to start? This workshop is for you!

Because this is a workshop, attendees will be encouraged to put the information to work and investigate their lineage at one of 10 laptops that will be available during the seminar. Prefer to use a laptop from home? Bring it along and connect to the library's wireless internet to join in. 

Discover the hobby so many others enjoy and make a reservation on GDL's March or April calendar of events. Events, held in our Grand Blanc branch, will last about 1 hour and each attendee will receive a printed list of resources covered during the session.

New Year, New Business Resources!

2014 Brings Additional Resources for Our Patrons

Last year was a great year for Genesee District Library and the Business Center. Our electronic books and music service through Overdrive continues to grow in popularity and many more are discovering this new service each month. If you received a tablet or e-reader over the holidays, check out GDL's Digital Branch to search our e-book collection and download your next great read. It's available 24/7 using your library bar code and PIN. The Business Center became a certified Business Resource Center through the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) through Kettering University, and we have continued to partner with local organizations to provide free business counseling to local entrepreneurs.

This year looks to be even better, as GDL has several exciting new resources coming available for the business owner / entrepreneur and investor, in addition to free online access to your favorite magazine. 

First, for business owners and entrepreneurs completing their business plan, we will being offering access to two Mergent resources: Key Business Ratios and First Research. Key Business Ratios (KBR) was purchased to facilitate more accurate price and cost estimating and provide industry benchmarks. Estimating costs and determining a sensible pricing structure is essential to any well-written business plan and this database will aid in this process.  

First Research, also beneficial to the aspiring business owner, provides market-specific information for more than 900 industries. Currently having access to industry trends for large sectors through Mergent Archives, First Research will help business patrons hone their research by individual industry, in addition to Census information which is currently available.These Mergent products should be available starting mid-January; links to each will be available via the Business Center Resources page.

Second, and for the investor, GDL has added the Newsletter module to our Morningstar Investment Research Center database. The Business Center does stock several investment newsletters in print, but these newsletters from Morningstar are especially valuable for the investor, as they give access to analysis from one of the most trusted, unbiased sources, Morningstar, written by the experts in the field, CFPs and CFAs. 

Sample first page of DividendInvestor Newsletter

 There are 4 newsletters, one each for Funds, Stocks, Dividends, and ETFs. And we're not talking a couple pages, no, each newsletter published monthly is 15+ pages of analysis, and is yours to download and keep. In addition to ValueLine, and the information you're already using from Morningstar, you're in a terrific position to make wise financial decisions, or make time with your investment professional all the more efficient. Access to each newsletter, available via the Personal Finance Resources page, should begin February 1. 

Last, as mentioned at the start, GDL also now provides access to your favorite magazines electronically and at no cost to you. Beginning with the last couple of  issues, begin reading your favorite magazine through the Zinio link from our homepage. Login with your library bar code to gain free access, then create a Zinio account to begin. Download and read any of the 60+ magazines at your convenience and with no check out dates. You download and keep any magazine(s) you choose. No limit. This service is available now, so check it out.

For more information stop by the Business Center at the Grand Blanc branch and speak with Trevor, the Business Librarian, or for help with Zinio see any GDL staff member at your local branch.

Happy New Year!

Are Public Libraries Relevant?

I have been thinking a lot lately about the library of the 21st century. The job descriptions of public librarians look nothing like they did in 1990, and those in 1990 looked far different from those in 1980. Things continue to change rapidly as new technologies emerge and become ubiquitous in the lives of some Americans. Have technological innovations like the internet, e-books, and databases made physical libraries unnecessary?

New Resource!

New Database Helps Local Entrepreneurs

Genesee District Library patrons now have access to DemographicsNOW, a powerful database that includes a business directory, plus national and state demographic information. See full post for complete list of capabilities and videos.

New Resource: Mergent Archives!

Genesee District Library patrons now enjoy access to Mergent Archives online!

Money Smart Week is here!

I hope that the posts from the past month or so have been helpful as you think more about the future of your finances. With Money Smart Week upon us, I want to give another reminder that tomorrow, April 23 @ 6:45 PM here in the Grand Blanc branch, we will join a national simulcast of "Be a Money Smarty." 

This event will include fantastic money advice from leading experts from across the county. Please take advantage of this opportunity to gain from their experience. To make a reservation click over to the GDL's calendar of events HERE and choose "join." In addition to the seminar, there will be a wide selection of print material available compliments of various financial institutions.

The GDL Business Center exists in part to increase the financial literacy of our patrons of all ages. Have questions? Don't hesitate to call or email the business librarian.

ValueLine & Morningstar: Money Smart 2013

Using ValueLine and Morningstar to Monitor Your Investments

Whether you hire a investment professional or manage your portfolio on your own, monitoring the status of your stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other investments is certainly necessary. The more you know about your current financial status, the better financial decisions you will make going forward. Watching the market can be time-consuming, and at times (many times) unnerving as you watch IRAs and stock prices fluctuate, and getting some perspective on the broader situation will help as you make decisions. The GDL Business Center has many such resources, including the Wall Street Journal, business magazines such as Bloomberg, Inc., and Forbes. Located in the business center you will also find several investment newsletters, including the Fidelity Monitor, Kipplinger Letter, and Dick Davis' Investment Digest.

In addition to these print sources, the library subscribes to both ValueLine and Morningstar, investment resources that offer advice and perspective on stocks and mutual funds.

Previously delivered in print format, the library now has online access to ValueLine, which means that with a valid library card and PIN number, you are able to access this resource anywhere an internet connection is available from the Personal Finance page of our website. If you access the resource from outside any of our branches, the site will prompt you to enter your barcode and PIN after clicking "View this Resource."

Updated every Monday at 8:00 AM ET, ValueLine has several different informational reports available:

1. Ratings & Reports: Here you will find detailed reports on 134 companies, especially important if you are looking to invest in their stock. These reports contain historical and current stock data and ValueLine's commentary on the company's performance.

2. Selection & Opinion: This resource contains ValueLine's view on the market overall, and contains additional economic commentary for the week. 

3. Last listed is the Summary and Index, which is helpful for an at-a-glance view of a stock's performance; companies are listed alphabetically. Near the end of this report ValueLine has listed industries by their timeliness, and then corresponding stocks in those industries, also listed by timeliness. Listed last in this Summary section is a group of stocks ranked 1 (the highest) for performance over the next 12 months. See a snapshot of today's report below:

The other online resource you will find helpful as you review your investments is Morningstar, the organization known for its ratings of stocks, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds (ETFs). 

 Morningstar offers comprehensive stock and fund information, with analysis, and suggestions for the types of funds you might consider depending on your particular situation. You can search morningstar several ways. If you know the ticker symbol for a company or fund simply type that in the header search box on the right side of the screen. For other searches by name, or fund type, use one of the "screens." Think of Morningstar's screens as just that, the ways you sift out exactly what you need and nothing that you don't need. Take a look at the stock screen below:

 

On the initial Morningstar screen I chose screen for funds, then "Fund Name" (viewable behind the screen function above, from a long list of searching options. You can then begin by typing a firm (MorganStanley, Fidelity, Vanguard, Merrill Lynch) and search for the fund you're looking for. After you've entered the name, be sure to click the button on the bottom right to view results. 

As you can see from the screen clipping from my search for funds that include the word "Fidelity," the resulting list contains the dates of the last report, the type of fund, the star rating, and total assets. Clicking on the link to any of the funds listed will direct you to the full Morningstar report.  

GDL wants you to win with your money, so check out these trusted sources for financial information today. Don't forget that Money Smart Week is next week, April 21-27th; please join for a special presentation on Tuesday, April 23rd, 6:45 PM, at our Grand Blanc branch. Click on our calendar of events to make your reservation today!

Upcoming April Events!

April is a busy month filled with activities here in Grand Blanc. Not only is Money Smart Week April 21-27, but the library is welcoming both Genesee/Shiawassee Michigan Works! and GreenPath Debt Solutions. The details for each event are below.

Set of 3 FREE Seminars

Monday, April 15, 22, and 29th

10:00 AM - Noon

Grand Blanc - McFarlen Library

 April 15: Forces Impacting Your Job Search

April 22: Resumes' that Work

April 29: Breaking the Hidden Job Market

Please pass this information along to anyone who is struggling to find work, and wants more information on the current status of the job market. These are local hiring experts who know this area well. 

After being cancelled back in March due to weather conditions, the debt professionals from the Flint office of GreenPath Debt Solutions will return to present "How to Understand Your Credit Report." This is another FREE event. Please register online by clicking HERE. 

Date: Thursday, April 18th

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Grand Blanc - McFarlen Library

Bring your questions for a post seminar Q & A session!

Money Smart Week is fast approaching and I hope the previous posts regarding some of the free resources available have been helpful. Keep checking back for posts, there is so much more to share! The highlight of Money Smart Week will be Tuesday, April 23 at 6:45 PM here at the Grand Blanc branch, as we will join a live webcast which includes more tips and information from finance experts from across the country. The library has also received a great deal of excellent resources from FINRA that will be available at this time.

Please register for this event through the GDL's event calendar, available on our website, thegdl.org, very soon.

Investing for Beginners: Money Smart 2013

Unbiased Investor Information Freely Available

This week I want to focus on fundamental investment information that everyone should know, whether or not they are currently investing. Because many people go beyond a traditional savings account for their long-term financial planning, educating yourself on some basics will be an asset if you decide to speak with someone who invests for a living, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), for example. These investment professionals can be verified through BrokerCheck, which will be discussed below. Whether you decide to employ a professional to offer investment advice, or opt to self-manage your money, the unbiased financial information found through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is a great place to start. Again, this organization regulates financial institutions and is it not an investment firm. The advice they publish can be trusted!

Before looking further into investment information, be sure to read through the FINRA's page discussing Bank Products. It explains how savings and checking accounts operate, how your money is secure with federally-backed insurance, and other savings tips. This is great information at any age, and would be particularly useful if you're looking to speak with children or teens about money. 

Before you decide what and where to invest I highly recommend the Getting Ready to Invest page through FINRA. It takes a step-by-step approach and highlights aspects to consider. What are your goals? What are your monthly expenses? What impact does your credit score have on your finances? Why do I need an emergency fund? FINRA recommends that if your net worth is positive (you own more that you owe) it is safer to invest than if your net worth is negative. Figuring your net worth is step two of "Getting Ready to Invest" and a sample worksheet is available. The Securities and Exchange Commission also has a useful page entitled Beginners' Guide to Investing where they list numerous SEC publications available online, including questions every investor should ask.

 Both the SEC and FINRA suggest checking the background of a financial professional before you invest with that person. BrokerCheck, a FINRA tool, can be used to locate individuals and firms in your area and ensure they are licensed and in good legal standing. 

Clicking the "BrokerCheck" link above will take you directly to this resource. As you can see from the screenshot, you can locate an individual or firm and limit the search by a given radius to your location. Once the search is completed you can view a profile of the individual, where they are permitted to do business and possibly see a background report. If you're in a position where you're not sure the credibility of an individual or a company that offers investment advice, this is a way to put your mind at ease before you hand over any money.

In addition to these free online resources, the Business Center has a wide range of print resources focused on helping you get your finances in order, including "Finding a Financial Advisor," 332.024 J. Looking to create a budget or find ways to save money around the house? We have books which will help with that, too. With the vast amount of information available to you involving your finances, please take advantage of it and pass the information along to those who might benefit from it.

Be sure to mark April 23rd on your calendar, as we will join a live webcast of "Be a Money Smarty" at 6:45 PM here at the Grand Blanc branch. It will include financial tips from a range of professionals. All are welcome1

Savings & Loan Calculator: Money Smart 2013

Prepare for Your Next Loan & Save for the Future

In this first post in a series discussing the many financial tools freely available, I want to focus on two simple online resources which will better prepare you for your next loan. Most of us have loans of some sort: car loans, mortgages, student loans, and the most expensive of loans, credit card balances. But, before you walk into a lending institution you can do some homework and have a good idea a) how much you need to save in advance of the loan, possibly to lower your payment, and b) your desired loan duration based on the monthly payment the bank or credit union will expect. 

Now, it is certainly true that not everything will be under your control during the process, but at the very least, you will go into the meeting with reasonable expectations. While a loan with a longer duration might seem more affordable in the short term (lower monthly payment), it is in fact more expensive, as more interest will accrue as time passes. However, an exception of this is interest-free financing (remember all the auto dealer commercials...), and if it corresponds with a need you have, is certainly a great way to save money. 

Savings Calculator

Both of these highlighted resources are provided by FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, a company you've probably never heard of, but is responsible for the monitoring of financial institutions across the country. Click the "Savings Calculator" link above to give it a try, a screenshot of it appears below.

 

This calculator can be used to plan toward a savings goal, whether it be for your next car, home improvement project, or family vacation. I have imputed a $500 monthly savings goal with a starting amount of only $1,000. You can see that in three short years of consistent saving you can easily save the recommended 3-6 month emergency fund, depending on your income, or have a significant down-payment for your next loan. This is a great motivational tool!

Loan Calculator

The second of these resources is the loan calculator. Say you need a new car, and it costs around $25,000. You've been diligently saving and intend to pay $10,000 of it in cash to lower your monthly payment. The Loan Calculator can be used to determine exactly how much you can afford to finance, by way of the ultimate monthly cost of the loan.

I researched a local credit union's best interest rate for an auto loan and inserted that information and the loan amount into the calculator. How long do you want to pay for your car? This might be determined by the monthly payment, so you can try several different loan terms. I settled with an manageable payment just over $300/month over 4 years for this example. 

This could also be a great learning tool for children and teens, too. Please pass along this information to others who might find it useful, financial literacy is too important for us to neglect!

Stay tuned for another post soon!

Money Smart Week is coming!

 

Over the next several weeks, in preparation for Money Smart Week, a financial literacy program sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the American Library Association, I will be highlighting some of the financial, investment, and career resources the GDL Business Center offers and how it can better your financial future. Financial Literacy is a basic life skill, and yet even the most basic information can be difficult to find among the legions of results in an online search. We want you to be successful, so please return often and take advantage of the (free!) resources at your disposal. 

 Look for 1-2 posts a week, each spotlighting a resource, online database, or tool that you can immediately put into practice.

Write Your Business Plan with SBA's Help

Build Your Business Plan with the SBA

If you or someone you know is looking to start a business, chances are you will need a business plan. While the business center has many resources for the start-up business, the Small Business Administration also has an online tool to aid those writing a business plan. 

The 7 parts of the business plan you can choose to write are:

1. Cover Page

2. Executive Summary

3. Company Description

4. Market Research

5. Product/Service Line

6. Marketing & Sales

7. Financial Projections

Please click HERE for this free online resource. Your newly minted plan can be saved and exported once it is completed. And be sure to explore other aspects of the SBA's site.

Financial Literacy for Kids!

Online Financial Literacy Exercises

 

There are a number of free resources designed to help parents and educators discuss financial issues with kids of all ages. The President's Advisory Counsel on Financial Capability has created a website, Money As You Grow, which contains practical advice for children at any age. Divided by age range, the site offers not only tips, but directs the users to other online resources to involve the child in the process of learning how money should and should not be used.

 

For example, for those ages 14-18, the site guides students on choosing a college with the final cost in mind, and suggests using the FAFSA4caster on the FAFSA website. To gain experience with credit cards and interest rates, students can click to the website of the Federal Reserve, to estimate payments on credit card expenses.

 

With student debt rising, and the ease with which credit cards can be obtained, please take advantage of these resources to keep our kids money smart!

 

 

Market Your Business with Our Help!

A Targeted Marketing Approach is Critical...We Can Help!

The Genesee District Library Business Center wants your business to thrive. Engaging the community can be daunting, and professional marketing can be expensive! Over the past few weeks I have demonstrated one of our online resources, ReferenceUSA, to business owners interested in attracting professional clientele. 

How can ReferenceUSA help your business grow?

1. Locate local, regional, and national competition, and see how they're doing

2. Locate companies with which you'd like to partner

3. Use the mapping function to target areas in which your services might be needed

So I know an area in which I'd like to market my services, now what?

This is where Bresser's, a print reference guide becomes invaluable. It is similar to a phone book, but instead of listing individuals by Last Name, First Name by city, it is organized by street name. This will allow you to collect the mailing addresses for a given area should you wish to contact individuals or businesses. This publication is library-use only, but well worth your time if direct-mail marketing is your goal.  

If you'd like more information about our online resources, please click on "contact us" at the top of this page to call the Business Center or email a librarian. Feel free to drop by and we will be happy to show you how to best search the database.