Entrepreneurial Library Program

Mission

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.

History   

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)provide an incubator for new services. The program started by designing and implementing tailor-made library and information services.  An important defining characteristic of ELP has been to develop pilot programs to test services in new areas before implementing longer term programs.

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.