Congratulations to another dedicated GEW/USA partner organization, the Johnson County Library in Kansas. 
GovFest for Entrepreneurs, celebrated each year during Global Entrepreneurship Week, has been recognized with a 2010 Top Innovations Award from the Urban Libraries Council headquartered in Chicago. The ULC has worked since 1971 to strengthen public libraries in urban areas and is now focused on transformative programs that benefit the public, including “the unemployed and entrepreneurs” as well as “teens building their work skills.”
GovFest was the top entry in the Economic and Workforce Development category. In 2009, it engaged 456 participants with 50 exhibitors, plus classes offered throughout the day. In its award citation, ULC officials said:
The Johnson County Library’s annual GovFest for Entrepreneurs provides one-stop shopping to connect small businesses with government and non-profit resources. The day-long event includes classes and an exhibit where participants can learn business strategy and become familiar with community services to help sustain and grow their businesses. The combined education and one-stop connections to sources of funding and program support help individual businesses thrive and grow, which contributes to the region’s long-term economic health.
Johnson County Library partners with the Small Business Development Center at Johnson County Community College and KCSourceLink, a small business services organization, to organize the event with guidance from Government Documents Librarian Martha Childers. 
The next GovFest is set for Thursday, November 18, 2010, at the Central Resource Library.

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