Coworking and Libraries: Support and Services for The Self-Employed and New Entrepreneurs

LibraryLinkNJ--The New Jersey Library Cooperative and The New Jersey State Library are pleased to offer a FREE webinar for the New Jersey library community!

Coworking is a redefinition of the workplace. On a small scale, a few people might gather in a coffee shop or a library meeting room to work on solo projects.  The word coworking was coined by Brad Neuberg in 2005. Neuberg defines it as “an international grassroots movement to establish a new kind of workspace for the self-employed.”

Fully developed coworking offices and co-operatives have popped up around the country. Micropreneurs, solopreneurs, and start-ups appreciate the community that coworking offers.  Now, coworking is spreading beyond people who are self-employed as companies send employees to work remotely and institute programs like ROWE (Results Oriented Workplace Environment) which give employees the freedom to work when and where they’d like.

Coworking can work in tandem with small business accelerators, incubators, and maker spaces. There is an energy pulsing through coworking that isn’t present in most offices or libraries.  There are also fewer rules, beyond observing civility.  Cell phone use is expected. Kitchens offer coworkers an opportunity to bring lunch. 

What does this mean in terms of the future of the library?

Learning Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Support 21st century business models, including the coworking movement, through their library's services, collections and outreach.
2. Encourage their communities to use library space and resources to enhance their businesses.
3. Create programming opportunities to bring tech culture into the library.