Homer Township Public Library

Having trouble finding what you need? Ask a Librarian! We take questions by phone, fax, email, and IM.

Find It Online:

• Business Plans Handbook New!
• Thomson Gale LegalForms New!
• Hoovers.com Premium: New! (Available in Library only.)
• General resources
• Handbooks and guides
• Business forms
• Government services
• Information about companies

= Key resource. To login, enter the 14-digit barcode number (without spaces) from your Homer library card.

General Business Resources

• In our Reference Center:
  • Dictionaries
  • Facts and Statistics
  • Internet Search Tools
• Article Finder: Look here for articles from journals, magazines, or newspapers. See especially:
  • ABI/Inform (via FirstSearch) : Searchable archive of articles from business magazines and journals.
• CEO Express: Directory of websites related to business and investing.
• Homer Chamber of Commerce: Membership directory, events.
• B2B, The Business to Business Forum for Will County
: Monthly newspaper.
• LearningExpressLibrary : Includes online practice tests and exam guides for basic skills and some jobs.

Handbooks and Guides

• Business Plans Handbook : Hundreds of examples from real businesses; may be downloaded and edited.
• 60-Second Guides: Quick business tips from SCORE.
• Business Startup and Management Guides: From the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network.
• Employment Law Guide: From the U.S. Department of Labor.
• OSHA Publications for Small Businesses
• SBA Publications: Small Business Management guide, planning workbooks, and more from the Small Business Administration.
• Small Business Handbook: Information about all aspects of running a business. From Office Depot.
• Starting a Business in Illinois
• Tax Guide for Small Business: IRS Publication 334 (PDF file).

Business Forms

• Thomson Gale LegalForms : Employment forms, contracts, sales, real estate, incorporation, etc.
• Business Plans Handbook : Hundreds of examples from real businesses; may be downloaded and edited.
• Business Plan and Financial Templates: From SCORE.
• Homer Glen Business Registration
• Illinois Department of Revenue: State tax forms, including business registration.
• Illinois Secretary of State: Forms for corporations and other business organizations and nonprofits.
• Internal Revenue Service: Federal tax forms and publications.
  • Employer ID Number (EIN) application information
• Office Depot: Free business form templates.
• U.S. Trademark Electronic Application System

Government and Non-Profit Services for Businesses

• Illinois Entrepreneurship Network
• Joliet Junior College Institute of Economic Technology
• Patent and Trademark Office
• SCORE: Business counseling service.
• Small Business Administration

Information About Companies

• CorporateInformation: Search for reports on companies.
• Hoovers.com Premium: (Available in Library only.) Excellent directory of businesses, including detailed profiles of major companies. Some company information is also available on the free Hoovers.com site.
• Illinois Corporation/LLC Database: Check whether a corporation or limited liability company is registered in the state.
• SEC Filings and Forms (EDGAR)
• Thomas Register: National directory of manufacturing and service companies.
• U.S. Patent Search
• U.S. Trademark Search
• For general telephone/address directories, see our Reference Center.

Funding for this grant was awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a Division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), under the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).