The Kutztown SBDC recognizes that their clients’ small businesses may be negatively affected by the impacts of the COVID-19 global outbreak. To that end, they stand ready to work with clients to navigate potential financial hardships. If you currently have any specific concerns or questions, reach out to your current consultant or complete their online consulting request form to schedule a time to meet.
Author: Sam Bardarik
Borrow books without joining a waitlist from the National Emergency Library
The Internet Archive has suspended waitlists for the 1.4 million books in their lending library by creating a National Emergency Library to serve the nation’s displaced learners. This suspension will run through June 30, 2020, or the end of the US national emergency, whichever is later.
During the waitlist suspension, users will be able to borrow books from the National Emergency Library without joining a waitlist, ensuring that students will have access to assigned readings and library materials that the Internet Archive has digitized for the remainder of the US academic calendar, and that people who cannot physically access their local libraries because of closure or self-quarantine can continue to read and thrive during this time of crisis, keeping themselves and others safe.
For more information, go to their announcement page and their FAQs.
Business, education, biography, and more in Gale Virtual Reference Library
The Gale Virtual Reference Library database includes reference titles in the arts, biography, business, education, environment, general reference, history, law, literature, medicine, multicultural studies, nation and world, science, social sciences, and technology.
Trying to plan a business but don’t have access to the Chester County Library’s Business Plans Handbook series while we’re closed due to the pandemic? Fear not! The first 35 volumes are available online in the GVRL business section.
Planning your career or higher education? Check out the education section.
For all other topics, log in to the database with your CCL library card number from this page.
Interim guidance for businesses and employers from the CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available. This web page includes recommended strategies for employers to use now and important considerations for creating an infectious disease outbreak response plan.
Local agencies can help with food, rent, counseling
Contact the United Way of Chester County: https://www.unitedwaychestercounty.org/ or 610-429-9400.
Or, please contact the Brandywine Health Foundation: https://brandywinefoundation.org/ or 610-380-9080.
Job and career websites
Looking for help you can access from home to develop your career or maximize your job search? We’ve curated a list of websites for you! From career management to resume writing to interviewing tips to job and salary profiles, we’ve got you covered.
Disaster loan assistance from the SBA
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters. SBA disaster loans can be used to repair or replace the following items damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster: real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory and business assets. For eligibility information, applications, and further disaster preparedness information, go to https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.
The PA Small Business Development Center is hosting a no-cost webinar, SBA Emergency Loan Webinar: Process for applying and FAQs, tomorrow, Wednesday, March 25, 10:30am to 11:30am and 1pm to 2:15pm.
Up-to-date statistics with Statista
Find statistical information, company dossiers, topical reports, and high-quality infographics with the Statista database, available through Chester County Library. With an international focus, this resource offers statistics on a wide variety of industries and topics such as communications, education, health care, and hospitality.
Check out the COVID-19 facts and figures page for up-to-date numbers on the pandemic.
Access Statista from outside the library using your Chester County Library System card and PIN. Don’t have a PIN? Click here for help.
Resources for JOB SEEKERS during the COVID-19 pandemic – PA CareerLink Chester County
To mitigate the spread of the CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19), the PA CareerLink Chester County and United Way Financial Stability Center is currently closed. In the event you need to reach them, you may leave a message at 610-280-1010. They will be checking voicemail and returning messages as soon as possible. Claimants should direct all unemployment claim (UC) inquiries to the Unemployment Office at 1-888-313-7284. Any additional changes to PA CareerLink Chester County’s operating schedule will be posted on their website at https://www.pacareerlinkchesco.org/.
For further resources on how to file an unemployment claim, how to connect with UC, unemployment FAQs, new job postings, and the COVID-19 hotline number, go to https://www.pacareerlinkchesco.org/job-seekers/downloads/.
2019 tax deadline extended
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are providing special payment relief to individuals and businesses in response to the COVID-19 Outbreak. The filing deadline for tax returns remains April 15, 2020. The filing deadline for tax returns has been extended to July 15, 2020. The deadline for income tax payments has also been extended to July 15, 2020. For more information, visit https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus.
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