The Entrepreneurial Library Program (ELP) supports the mission of the Sheridan Libraries of the Johns Hopkins University by serving as an incubator for the development of highly customized library and information services, adding to the Hopkins libraries reputation for innovation, and providing financial support to the Sheridan Libraries.  ELP serves both nonprofit and for-profit organizations and individuals within and beyond the JHU community. 

While long known for its entrepreneurial spirit and business enterprises, the Sheridan Libraries of Johns Hopkins University formally established the Entrepreneurial Library Program (ELP) in 1999.  ELP began as a way to:

1. build sustainable revenue-generating mechanisms to support the libraries; and
2. be an innovator for new services. The program started by designing and implementing tailor-made library and information services. 

ELP’s innovative library and information services have benefitted customers from the academic to the corporate sectors, with institutions of all sizes. Current partners include Excelsior College and the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association.   Over the years, ELP has successfully diversified beyond information services to include the long-established events rental programs at the George Peabody Library and at Evergreen Library & Museum, as well as a newer service: Hopkins History Enterprises, an oral history and editorial service for the Johns Hopkins community and beyond.

ELP’s services have evolved over the years, yet remain true to its values of collaboration and responsiveness to client needs. We build our reputation on partnering closely with clients to provide customized services and expertise, and we continue to prize innovation and efficiency in our service development and delivery.

Examples of previous work:

Case 1: Needs assessment for established biotech to help guide and inform the creation of an online library. We gathered information from a quantitative survey and also conducted in-person interviews across the department in different areas in order to gain a deep understanding of information needs within the organization. We also reviewed existing resources in order to refresh, organize and update the corporate website for the library.

Case 2: Completed a resources review in multiple subject areas for the Maryland Biotechnology Center. We reviewed core resources in multiple subject areas, such as capital formation, business, and scientific resources for a virtual library refresh.

Case 3: Provided a comprehensive review of accreditation criteria for online academic library planning. Gathered accreditation standards from national and regional agencies specifically looking for standards tied to library and information resources. Made recommendations for strategic library planning for a major online University based on the relevent standards.

Case 4: Created and offered a streamed training webinar for professional membership organization. We listened to the research and information needs of a group of medical writers and created a tailored presentation about in an important area for them related to finding medical information online. We also reviewed and evaluated recording and streaming technologies to determine what would work best for them.

Please contact us to find out more about how we can work with you