Enrich, Inspire, Transform
Top
Business Information
Find it in the catalogue
AI for small business : from marketing and sales to HR and operations, how to employ the power of artificial intelligence for small business success / Pallen, Phil
Artificial intelligence for small business
"ChatGPT, machine learning, automation, natural language processing. Every day, it seems like there is a new AI term to learn and a new promise of how it will improve your work. But with tons of conflicting information, small business owners are left wondering exactly how to leverage AI technology to grow and, more importantly, stay competitive with larger companies. Cutting through the buzzwords and media frenzy, AI for Small Business is the road map to take you from overwhelmed to empowered. Opening with simple explanations of AI basics and clarification of myths, you are empowered to assess your goals to create a comprehensive AI strategy for your business-including information on selecting tools, a timeline for implementation, and ideas for scaling systems. This essential guide then walks you through practical AI applications for each department, informing you how to use AI to automate tasks, make better decisions, and grow your business in all areas including: Sales; Marketing; Social media and content creation; Customer service; Finance and accounting; Operations and logistics; Human resources and talent management; Data analysis and decision-making; Security and legal compliance; R&D and innovation. Author Phil Pallen is a brand strategist who uses his AI expertise to help hundreds of businesses scale and grow profits. In AI for Small Business, case studies from Pallen's successful clients illustrate how real small business owners are applying AI technology in various ways. Plus, ready-to-try prompt sidebars and specific product recommendations allow you to start employing the power of AI in real time"--

Find it in the catalogue
Book yourself solid for coaches and consultants : the fastest, easiest, most reliable system for getting more clients than you can handle, even if you hate marketing and selling / John Wiley & Sons
"Book Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle has proven to be a game-changer for hundreds of thousands of service business owners around the world. By helping them fill their pipeline with qualified leads and turn them into high-paying clients, it has helped them achieve their business goals with ease. To continue providing unparalleled value to our past and future readers, we are thrilled to publish market-specific versions of the book specifically Book Yourself Solid for Coaches & Consultants. Each edition will be co-authored by Michael Port and an industry-leading expert, providing hyper-specific lessons, advice, and action steps"--

Find it in the catalogue
Earn it : unconventional strategies for brave marketers / Pratt, Steve
Unconventional strategies for brave marketers
In a world where content is everywhere, consumer attention is a valuable commodity. Every marketer, creator, and communication professional is vying to get eyes on their brand. But the old marketing techniques -- paying for ad space and trying to pop up on the "right" platforms-aren't cutting it to get the attention you require to grow your business. If this sounds familiar, you need to shake up your process and start earning the attention you're asking for. In Earn It, entrepreneur and innovator Steve Pratt delivers his forward-thinking approach with passion and humour to help you see why your marketing strategy needs to be as unique as your business. Drawing on his own expertise as well as insights from other leading experts in creativity, marketing, and media, Steve outlines the reasons you need to abandon the status-quo and get creative. He warns that there is no shortcut and no hack, but if you're ready to do the work and find the sweet spot between your Commitment and Creative Bravery then your audience is waiting. The strategies in this book may surprise you. The thinking and the techniques are unconventional. But if you embrace them, you will change the way you market your brand and your business, creating value for your consumers and reaping the benefits.

Find it in the catalogue
Everything but money : the hidden barriers between you and financial freedom / Moorhouse, Jessica
"Why is money the #1 stress in my life? How do I keep getting into debt after working so hard to get out? Will I ever have enough money to make me feel secure? If this sounds like you, it's time to think about your money story. For the past decade, Jessica Moorhouse, an Accredited Financial Counsellor Canada{reg} and money expert, has had intimate conversations with strangers from around the world who trust her to listen without judgment and offer solutions to their financial problems. It is Moorhouse's experience (as well as a fact supported by research) that a lot of stuff prevents you from thinking about money clearly and getting out of your own way. This book includes all the insecurities, fixations and inherited ideas about money that you carry around-and provides a guide on how to get past them. No number of top-ten tips or golden rules will help you with your money struggles unless you confront what is causing them in the first place-be it trauma, human behaviour or an unjust social system. It's only when you acknowledge and understand the real source of your money issues that you can start making a plan to finally overcome them. Some of the topics explored in the book include: Realizing how past trauma shapes your negative relationship with money; Unlearning some of the "truths" about money that are hurting you; Recognizing patterns and red flags to stop the cycle of poor financial decision-making; Understanding the institutions and systems that are holding you back financially and learning the difference between good and bad financial advice; Learning how to trust yourself and others when it comes to money management; Creating a new path for achieving financial freedom. Everything but Money is a practical, inspirational book that teaches readers to uncover their money story and empowers them to create a new, healthier and happier relationship with money."--

Find it in the catalogue
Financial data analytics with machine learning, optimization and statistics / Chen, Yongzhao
Finance -- Data processing.
Machine learning -- Economic aspects.

Food and country / Achatz, Grant
Trailblazing food writer and best-selling memoirist Ruth Reichl examines the precarious state of America's food system. Reaching through political and social divides, she meets with small farmers, ranchers, and chefs risking it all to survive. Through Reichl's eyes, we see humanity and struggle behind the food we eat.


Find it in the catalogue
Girls just wanna have impact funds : a feminist guide to changing the world with your money / Due Bitz, Emma.
Girls just want to have impact funds
"What if building your own personal wealth didnt have to come at the expense of the planet? Put your money where your mouth is when it comes to handling your finances and join the Female Invest trio on a mission to investigate sustainable stocks and funds, angel investing, and empowering initiatives-for both you and the planet. Cutting through the noise, this trusted resource will rationalize the vast scope of the term 'sustainable investing' and consider how investments, funds, stocks, and shares can be responsible, ethical, green, and impactful-enabling you to partake in a truly circular economy. Ditching the jargon shrouding finance, this book will assess the pros and cons behind crowdfunding and crowdlending, navigate around the many pitfalls of greenwashing, and make building a more sustainable portfolio-that prioritizes the issues you really care about-accessible to everyone"--


Find it in the catalogue
Go do deals : the entrepreneur's guide to buying & selling businesses / Harbour, Jeremy
The entrepreneur's guide to buying and selling businesses
Go Do Deals provides entrepreneurs with a practical method to source and buy companies without having capital and without borrowing lots of money. For those who are ready to take the next step on the entrepreneurial ladder and make the shift from customer to shareholder value creation, Go Do Deals shows them how to: bypass brokers, structure deals, and choose the right deals while knowing the best time to exit or sell their business.

Find it in the catalogue
Green money : how to reduce waste, build wealth, and create a better future for all / Perez, Kara
Discover the path to a wealthier, more sustainable future Green Money: How to Reduce Waste, Build Wealth, and Create a Better Future for All is a startlingly insightful and compelling book that redefines personal finance through the twin lenses of environmental sustainability and community, offering actionable steps to not only improve your financial health but also make a positive impact on the planet. Kara Perez, a visionary in sustainable personal finance, shares her unique approach to breaking free from outdated financial advice, demonstrating how you can achieve a fulfilling life that values community, sustainability, and financial well-being. Filled with real-world anecdotes, cutting-edge research, and hands-on money exercises, this book equips you with the tools needed to take immediate action towards a brighter, greener future. You'll explore topics like: How to navigate the challenges of thrifting, tackle eco-anxiety, invest ethically, and engage in environmental justice, all while securing your financial future How overconsumption and reliance on fossil fuels became the norm and how we can find practical alternatives that work better for us and the planet Why systems, and not individuals, are the real problem Ideal for young professionals, growing families, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and financial planners alike, Green Money is more than a book-it's a movement towards integrating financial success with environmental stewardship. Join Kara Perez in transforming how you think about money and take the first step towards building wealth and creating a better future for all.

Find it in the catalogue
Growth : a history and a reckoning / Susskind, Daniel
"Daniel Susskind traces the rich, surprisingly brief history of economic growth and responds to its ills. We cannot focus only on growth's upsides, but nor is degrowth a viable policy: the benefits of prosperity are too great to discard. Instead we must face hard tradeoffs, demoting growth from our top priority and reckoning with its moral challenges"--

Find it in the catalogue
How to not work forever : start investing & build a life you love / Etschmann, Natasha
If money wasn't an issue, how would you spend your day? What would you do differently? Working today isn't enough-you need to be investing to get you and your finances to a tomorrow that you'll love. And investing isn't as hard as you think. In fact, if you have superannuation fund, you're already an investor! But it's also now easier than ever before to access wealth-growing investments online. With How to Not Work Forever, you'll discover how to make your money go and grow further by investing in shares and ETFs. By learning the ins and outs of share investing, you'll be able to take control of your money today. You'll create a plan for investing that will help you keep up with inflation, get ahead financially ... and, ultimately, the find the freedom to seize new opportunities and embrace a life that fulfils you. Tash and Ana, money experts and hosts of the popular Get Rich Slow Club podcast, will walk you step-by-step on how to set your goals and get started.

Find it in the catalogue
Inflation : what it is, why it's bad, and how to fix it / Ames, Elizabeth
"Inflation explains the forces behind the epidemic of soaring prices squeezing individuals and businesses still struggling in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic. An alarming rise in the cost of living has stoked fears of a new crisis resembling the decade-long inflation of the 1970s. Some even raise the specter of a descent into the kind of Weimar-style hyperinflation that has torn apart so many nations. Can this be true? If so, what should be done? How should we prepare for the future?"--

Find it in the catalogue
Lead it like Lasso : a leadership book for life. Your life / Stockman, Marnie
"When Ted Lasso was hired as the new gaffer (coach) for AFC Richmond, the team, the town, and the entire country made it no secret that they thought he was just a clueless "wanker". But it was clear, even early on, that Ted knew a thing or two about being a good leader. It's not about the wins and losses, but about helping others become the best versions of themselves."--

Find it in the catalogue
Microsoft Power Platform for dummies / Hyman, Jack A.
Microsoft Power Platform
"Microsoft Power Platform for Dummies covers the essentials of Microsoft Power Platform, including Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Pages, enabling organizations to build smarter and more efficient business solutions."

Find it in the catalogue
Money for couples : no more stress, no more fights, just a 10-step plan to create your Rich Life together / Sethi, Ramit
"From personal finance juggernaut Ramit Sethi, here is the definitive book about a defining challenge for millions of people: navigating the tricky waters of money in a serious relationship. Drawing on Ramit's deep experience working with thousands of couples, this book will help readers go from financial frustration to joy and possibility as they finally discover a way to connect over money. Ramit's 10-step program addresses the common money issues in relationships: how to stop fighting over money; how to get both partners to participate in the finances; how to handle the situation when one partner is a saver and the other a spender; and how to take control of too much debt. There are no boring budgets or restrictive plans in this book. Readers begin by identifying their "Rich Life"-a vision of the kind of amazing life you want to live with your partner-including word-for-word scripts to have these conversations together. They are then gently guided to analyze their own spending and understand their money psychology: why they see money differently than their partner, how their childhood affects their view of money, and how to eliminate the day-to-day money fights. Packed with juicy, enlightening real-world stories, answers to the most common questions (how much to invest, how to teach children about money, whether to sign a prenup), and step-by-step scripts for navigating tricky conversations, Money for Couples helps readers become competent both as financial managers and as kind, caring, and open communicators with their partners. Your relationship is too important for guilt, resentment, or fighting over

Find it in the catalogue
Reset : how to change what's not working / Heath, Dan
"From the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Made to Stick, Switch, and The Power of Moments comes a revolutionary guide to fixing what's not working-in systems and processes, organizations and companies, and even in our daily lives-by identifying leverage points and concentrating resources to achieve our goals"--

Find it in the catalogue
Risen from the shop floor : lessons from an entrepreneur : a memoir / Mercanti, Sam
Risen From the Shop Floor: Lessons from an Entrepreneur tells the story of a young Italian kid who came to Canada with nothing, had a tough go, dropped out of high school, worked in his family's body shop sweeping floors, and went on to revolutionize the car collision industry in Canada. Sam Mercanti's commitment to helping others, working with integrity, and consistently providing top service makes him a true standout in the automotive world. Mercanti's story will inspire many newcomers who arrive in Canada with little in their pockets but big dreams in their hearts. Mercanti's amazing journey will also benefit anyone in the automotive industry looking to learn, and any entrepreneur hungry for lessons on how to stand out in their marketplace, persevere through challenging times, and continually find the courage to evolve. Mercanti's secret to success has been staying true to his "why"--helping others--and always asking "Now what?" after achieving each goal, even to this day, at 74. Don't miss this incredible story of a Canadian visionary who built a company, a brand, and a national franchising phenomenon, where risky leaps were combined with remarkable feats of innovation. The results proved extraordinary.

Find it in the catalogue
Savings and trust : the rise and betrayal of the Freedman's Bank / Hill Edwards, Justene
In the years immediately after the Civil War, tens of thousands of former slaves deposited millions of dollars into the Freedman's Bank. African Americans envisioned this new bank as a launching pad for economic growth and self-determination. But only nine years after it opened, their trust was betrayed and the Freedman's Bank collapsed. Fully informed by new archival findings, historian Justene Hill Edwards unearths a major turning point in American history in this comprehensive account of the Freedman's Bank and its depositors. She illuminates the hope with which the bank was first envisioned and demonstrates the significant setback that the sabotage of the bank caused in the fight for economic autonomy. Hill Edwards argues for a new interpretation of its tragic failure: the bank's white financiers drove the bank into the ground, not Fredrick Douglass, its final president, or its Black depositors and cashiers. A story filled with both well-known figures like Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Jay and Henry Cooke, and General O. O. Howard, and less well-known figures like Dr. Charles B. Purvis, John Mercer Langston, Congressman Robert Smalls, and Ellen Baptiste Lubin. This book can be used to understand the roots of racial economic inequality in America.

Self-serve standard products available on the Statistics Canada website ― including CANSIM and census data products ― are now free of charge. This is an open resource for everyone and not VPL-subscribed.

Available Online
Provides access to specialized reference sources in various subjects: arts, business, education, history, medicine, religion, science, social science, technology, etc.

Available Online
Scott’s Canadian Business Directory lists Canadian manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, sales agents and business services providers. This information is updated annually.

Available Online
LinkedIn Learning (previously called Lynda.com) gives users free access to thousands of video tutorial courses with a focus on such areas as technology, software development, business skills, project management as well as creative skills like animation and video editing. The courses are taught by recognized industry experts who will guide you along in learning the skills you need for your personal and professional development.

For security and privacy purposes, access to LinkedIn Learning with your library card cannot connect with your personal LinkedIn account. Any achieved course certifications will not feature your name as a result.

Available Online

How to use LinkedIn Learning

PDF Desktop Instructions PDF (1989 KB)

PDF Mobile Instructions PDF (564 KB)

How to add Certificates to your LinkedIn Profile



Find accurate phone-verified information on every company in Canada in this database of 1.9 million businesses. Additionally their files are processed monthly against the National Change of Address Program.

Available Online
Research 11 million Canadian households with the largest database available. Records are 100% publicly sourced to comply with Canadian privacy laws.

Available Online

Need help locating Business resources? Try our email reference service or a one-on-one workshop.

One-On-One Workshop

This one-on-one, 60-minute workshop will provide an introduction to company and industry resources available at VPL and on the web. Learn how to find companies in your industry! Please book an appointment at the Information Desk or by filling out the form below. Please note that appointments must be booked at least one week in advance.

Please note that entries indicated with asterisk (*) are required.

About Yourself
Additional Information

The personal information collected from you on this form will only be used for the purpose of making the booking. Your personal information will not be shared with outside organizations, except as indicated in the Privacy Statement.