Business and Financial Research
Mount Prospect Public Library has a wide selection of business resources in print and online. Contact the Business Librarian for assistance with special research questions.
Entrepreneurship booklist – Available to checkout from the library, titles to inspire and offer practical information.
Databases
Subscription databases are accessible from within the Library or if noted, at home or remotely with a registered MPPL library card. View all business databases.
Business Research
- Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA) – Business directory, residential listings, demographics and health care listings. Records can be downloaded for mailing/contact lists.
- Business Source Complete – Contains market research reports, case studies, industry profiles, SWOT analyses and more.
- Industry Select – Research U.S. manufacturers in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.
- Business eBooks – Online reference book collection, including the Business Plans Handbook.
- LinkedIn Learning – Learn software, creative, and business skills to achieve your personal and professional goals. Join today to get access to thousands of courses.
- O’Reilly for Public Libraries – Technology and business-related e-books, videos, tutorials, personalized learning tools, and certifications for career advancement.
- AtoZdatabases – Directory of 65 million business and executive profiles, over 240 million resident profiles, and more.
Financial Information
- Morningstar Investment Research Center – Provides access to information on stocks and mutual funds for potential investors and researchers.
- Value Line – Online investment research service including stocks and mutual funds.
- Weiss Financial Ratings Series Online – Find ratings for banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and Medigap plans.
Government Resources for Business
- State of Illinois Business Resources – Information about operating a business in Illinois including licenses, permits, and certifications.
- Small Business Assistance – Find a local Small Business Development Center.
- Census Business Builder – Online tool from the U.S. Census Bureau allows users to customize census data in order to inform business planning.
- Small Business Administration – Resources from the U.S. Small Business Administration to support small business development.
- EDGAR (SEC Filings & Forms) – Free access to documents required of all public companies by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Library of Congress Small Business Hub – Research guide for small businesses, from the Library of Congress.
- USA.gov – Information for small business from the federal government.
Company Research
- LLC/Corporation Search – Look up the name and status of LLCs and Corporations in the state of Illinois.
- AnnualReports.com – Search annual reports by company name, stock exchange, industry or industry sector.
- Thomas Register of American Manufacturers – Online directory of suppliers and buyers.
Entrepreneurship & Small Business Resources
- Mount Prospect Entrepreneurs Initiative (MPEI) – Local initiative of the Village of Mount Prospect and the Mount Prospect Public Library to support entrepreneurs.
- Illinois Small Business Development Center at Harper College – Learning opportunities and one-on-one advising appointments for small business from Harper College.
- Women’s Business Development Center – Business advising, mentoring, and more services for emerging and established businesses, including support for veteran-owned businesses.
- Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity – Access to advising, funding opportunities, licensing and regulatory guidance, training programs, and tools for starting, managing, and expanding a business.
- FindLaw for Business – Legal information for businesses from Thomson Reuters.
- SCORE – One-on-one mentoring and other resources for small businesses.
- Thomas Register of American Manufacturers – Online directory of suppliers and buyers.
- SAM.gov – Contract opportunities with the federal government.
Local Business Organizations
- SCORE (North Cook and Lake County) – One-on-one mentoring from experienced business owners and other learning opportunities.
- National Association of Women Business Owners (Chicago Chapter)
- Women’s Business Development Center – Business advising, mentoring, and more services for emerging and established businesses, including support for veteran-owned businesses.
- Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce
- Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants Association
Financial Information
Investment Tools
- Dinkytown.net – Free online calculators for personal and business finance.
- FINRA investment Tools & Calculators – Online tools for investors from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
- FINRA Broker Check – Professional background information about brokers and brokerage firms.
- SEC Investor Information – Information for individual investors from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
News and Numbers
- Investopedia – Financial news and reference articles.
- Yahoo! Finance – Stock quotes, market updates, and business news.
- Market Watch – Financial news and market updates.
- FINRA Market Data Center – Company information and market data.
- Crain’s Chicago Business – Also available in print in the library.
Financial Literacy
- MoneyGeek.com – Personal finance website with answers to many common questions.
- Consumer.gov – Information from the federal government on managing money, effectively using credit, and avoiding scams. En Español: Consumidor.gov
- Save and Invest – Financial guidance from the FINRA Foundation.
- Money Smart Week – Archived webinars coordinated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago addressing a variety of personal finance topics
