Budget-Friendly Co-Working Space for Second Act Entrepreneurs: the Public Library
We’re all familiar with the quote, “The only constant in life is change,” right?
Change comes in many forms and as a business owner, change touches every aspect of the business, including your office space.
My office experience has ranged from the home office, to co-working spaces, the local library, and the coffee shop. I eventually settled in with my own small apartment that provides all the comforts of home plus the quiet office space I need.
When I started my business in 2009, co-working spaces were practically non-existent. Today (May 2019) the St. Louis area is approaching nearly 30 shared workspace and the number of global co-working spaces is expected to grow from 14,411 in 2017 to just over 30,000 in 2022.
While this is great news, sometimes an entrepreneur lacks the bootstrapping funding to take advantage of these fabulous spaces. This is particularly true when many startups and business owners live in rural areas. Are there options available?
Plenty of Space at the Library
Have you forgotten your public library? While I conduct 80% of my client work from my “office apartment” (a nick-name given by my granddaughter), the remaining 20% of business activities occur at co-working spaces—and my library is climbing in popularity and activities. Not only that, libraries across the country continually add business services that compete with many co-working spaces. Here’s the bonus: co-working atmosphere and all the library services are available at a fraction of the cost!
A Hidden Treasure
Not sure what’s available? Take a look and compare with your local co-working spaces:
- Free wifi (a must anywhere you go)
- Access to numerous databases and business innovations
- Almost endless access to business growth assistance such as writing a business plan/marketing plan
- Grant and funding courses and databases to help with research and the application processes
- Many libraries offer a patent and trademark center
- Long tables with plug-ins
- Cell phone quiet zones
- Calling rooms for business calls
- Rooms for client meetings
- Reservable computers
- Numerous resources for in-library use
- As a library member, you can print, copy, scan documents at low- or no-cost (varies per library)
- As a personal favorite—many libraries offer “tall tables” for those of us who prefer standing desks.
A Traditional Experience too
You’ll also get the traditional library atmosphere you can rely on:
- Quiet
- Books and more books
- Experts eager to help (big waves to Jen and Honna at SLPL.org)
- Fewer at-home distractions—such as television, radio, family members, and pets
- Educational services and workshops—too many to list but include how to start a non-profit, seminars with experts, and more.
Budgetary Considerations
The commute: if you hate to commute and you live in a rural or suburban area, then you may find the commute to be an annoyance. However, as a business owner, you can create your business hours. The typical rush hour ends around 9am. Let’s say you begin your commute to your library space at 9am and set up your daily work space by 10am. You’ll get morning time with the family and will avoid the slow commute. Another bonus: no need to wake up early to an annoying alarm.
Parking fees: my public library is downtown. That means I have a minimum of a $5/day parking fee. If you work a standard 5-day week from the library, that adds up to $25/week for parking—a budget-buster in my thinking! To beat this, seek out satellite branches of your public library and visit the primary location for special events. My library has 6 branches and the nearest one is 8 miles away with free parking. Most services are available at each branch (my local branch lacks call rooms but therarely-used mini-café offers an acceptable alternative).
Membership fees: If bootstrapping is an element of your business strategy yet you need a budget-friendly work space, then consider your library. You will find that your local co-working space will charge you a monthly fee that most libraries charge yearly—and for the same (or more) business services.
Co-working Space vs the Library
Since my office space has gone through its own evolution, I would rate my preferences as:
- My office apartment.
- Public library: massive resources and experts available for a very finance-friendly yearly fee.
- Co-working: business-specific events (1 Million Cups and Venture Café which don’t require a membership to attend).
If you are seeking office space outside of the home, definitely check out what co-working spaces are available in your area, but be sure to include your library in your search.
What are your office space needs? What do you utilize now? Share below.
Kristen Edens
Related articles:
The Real Smart Card in Your Wallet a feature article for Boomalally Magazine describing the strengths of the public library system.
Which Content Form is Best for Your Second Act this article provides a brief snippet about the “creative experience” makerspace becoming available at more libraries, allowing individuals and businesses to utilize services such as a podcasting studio.
photo credit: pixabay