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MAGIC
Management and Government Information Center
Prince William Public Libraries’ MAGIC, the Management and Government Information Center located at Chinn Park Library, is a vital resource for local entrepreneurs and small business owners in Prince William County. MAGIC offers training on free business directories and databases available through the Digital Library, including AtoZdatabases, Gale Business: Entrepreneurship, and Gale Business: Plan Builder, to assist business owners and entrepreneurs make strategic business decisions.
MAGIC can assist with retrieving market and industry information relating to projected growth, operating environment, and barriers to entering a market. If you need assistance locating your competition or potential customers, accessing laws and regulations, or have other questions, contact MAGIC at [email protected] or call 703-792-4880.
- Grant Research and Support
Prince William Public Libraries is a Funding Information Network Partner of Candid, providing community resources for nonprofits, students, and other individuals seeking foundation grant opportunities. Visit Chinn Park Library to get access to the Foundation Directory grant database. MAGIC offers free one-on-one assistance and training on the grant database. To make an appointment, email [email protected].
MAGIC also offers free training and informational programs. Visit Classes and Training Programs for Nonprofits: PWPL Events.
- Write a Business PlanGale Business: Plan Builder is a step-by-step online planning tool for starting, managing, and optimizing a business or nonprofit. The Business Plan Builder will guide you through the process, assist with break-even analysis, and provide tools for nonprofits, like bylaws templates and pitch decks.
Gale Business: Entrepreneurship provides resources for starting, financing, or managing your small business. Research sample business plans, how-to guides, articles, and more.
MAGIC offers training on Gale Business: Plan Builder and Entrepreneurship. To make an appointment, email [email protected].
- Access Laws and Regulations
MAGIC has access to Lexis Advance and can show you how to find regulations relating to your small business.
Gale Legal Forms is a comprehensive collection of downloadable legal forms, accessible with a Prince William Public Libraries library card. The database includes contracts, articles of incorporation, nondisclosure agreements, Human Resource forms, marketing plans, and business operations agreements.
Legal Links is a guide to online legal resources provided by Prince William Public Libraries. The information presented in this handout is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for legal advice or decisions. You should consult a professional for advice tailored to your situation
- Get Research Help
Email MAGIC at [email protected] to request assistance with your research needs. Our staff can assist you with your business question and provide one-on-one training on our databases.
- Industry Overview, Barriers to Entering a Market, and Projected Growth
Business Insights: Essentials offers company profiles, industry reports, rankings, investment reports, company histories, and SWOT reports. If you cannot find what you need, contact MAGIC at [email protected] for additional support. MAGIC has access to IBISWorld, which provides additional industry market research, including barriers to entering a market. All industry information can easily be found if you can provide the NAICS and SIC classification code for an industry.
- Business Articles
Our Digital Library offers free access to the following databases:
- Gale Academic OneFile Select: Thousands of scholarly and professional journals and periodicals available in full text.
- Gale OneFile News: Gale OneFile News is a full-text newspaper database that allows you to search by Topic, Subject Guide, or Publication.
- JSTOR: Explore the world's knowledge, cultures, and ideas in an archive of hundreds of well-known academic and scholarly journals.
- MasterFILE Complete: Search articles, books, journals, and more in MasterFILE Complete, a comprehensive database of magazines and periodicals.
- Gale Academic OneFile Select: Thousands of scholarly and professional journals and periodicals available in full text.
- Competition, Potential Customers, and Clients
AtoZdatabases will help grow your business by providing sales leads, mailing lists, and market research on potential customers and competition. If you need assistance retrieving addresses, phone numbers, or revenue information from AtoZdatabases, contact MAGIC at [email protected].
MAGIC Minute Videos
MAGIC Minute: Introduction
MAGIC Minute: Industry Overview
MAGIC Minute: Targeted Advertising
Partnerships and Community Resources
MAGIC collaborates with local and national organizations that serve the business community.
| Prince William County Department of Economic Development’s mission is to improve the County’s economic base by encouraging new businesses to locate in Prince William County, retain existing businesses, and encourage existing businesses to expand. The Department works hard to create a pro-business, globally-competitive environment that generates new, high-quality, and sustainable job opportunities for our citizens and engages in a broad portfolio of services, partnerships, and strategic alliances to benefit the business community and stimulate the economy. |  |
| Prince William Chamber of Commerce is the voice of the business community and creates powerful connections and resources that gives members the courage to thrive. MAGIC is a Keystone Partner of the Chamber. |  |
| American Library Association: MAGIC contributes to the ALA's Libraries Build Business initiative and is featured in "Libraries that Build Business: Advancing Small Business and Entrepreneurship in Public Libraries" book. This book spotlights ways to advance entrepreneurship in public libraries. PWPL was one of 30+ libraries nationwide that contributed to this book, highlighting resources and services offered by MAGIC. |  |
| 1 Million Cups Prince William, VA provides a supportive, inclusive space for entrepreneurs and their communities to gather and connect, where they can work through business challenges and identify opportunities. Attend an event, present your story, and engage with the Prince William community. |  |
| Receive professional counseling, training, and information. |  |
| Prince William County Development Services offers resources and information on starting a business in Prince William County. Before purchasing a building or signing a lease, learn about the regulatory requirement to open your business. |  |