SmallbizXpress is more than a list of Web and library resources. Information has been organized according to different stages of business development, geographically by Ontario location and by subject categories. In addition to information on all aspects and sectors of small business and entrepreneurship, this portal offers:

• Personalization of information allowing users to view previously selected content every time they return to the gateway;
• A regular column written by experts in small business and entrepreneurship;
• Ability to retrieve information according to geographic location in Ontario;
• Research guides and tutorials designed to help users navigate the site and locate information on the Internet;
• Shortcuts to directories, online publications, networking tools, and current important small business and entrepreneurship topics.

SmallbizXpress has been created for the Virtual Reference Library by staff at the Toronto Public Library (TPL) and Personus Inc. The content of the gateway was developed by TPL staff while Personus Inc. provided the expertise for technical programming, and the creative and technical development of the site.

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About Toronto Public Library
Toronto Public Library (TPL) is the largest public library system in Canada with 98 branches serving a population of 2.4 million people. Collections number over 12 million items in a wide variety of formats, in more than 100 languages. The library loans over 25 million items and answers 8 million information questions every year.

The library has embraced new technology as a way of delivering information services. Professional staff analyze, evaluate and select electronic resources that meet the needs of its varied clientele. SmallbizXpress demonstrates the Library's commitment to organizing Web-based resources and assisting users in locating reliable and authoritative information.

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Sponsors
Toronto Public Library gratefully acknowledges the support of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and of the Government of Canada through Industry Canada.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation provides regular funding to Toronto Public Library and, in particular, to the Virtual Reference Library, the department that developed SmallbizXpress. One of the roles of the Ministry is to support public library systems in the province as a way to foster economic and social vitality in Ontario.

Industry Canada's mission is to foster a growing competitive, knowledge-based Canadian economy. The department works with Canadians throughout the economy and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment, improve Canada's innovation performance, increase Canada's share of global trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace.

Industry Canada has assisted Toronto Public Library with funding for this project through the Urban Community Access Programme (Urban CAP). This program was created to establish public Internet access sites in communities across Canada and to help communities obtain affordable public access to the Internet and the skills to use it effectively. SmallbizXpress is the result of this collaboration. In addition to helping entrepreneurs across Ontario access small business information, SmallbizXpress is intended as a tool for networking, finding business opportunities on the Internet and enhancing small business owners' ability to incorporate e-commerce into their businesses.

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For more background on Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, go to http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/english/culdiv/index.html.

To find out about Industry Canada programs and services, visit http://www.ic.gc.ca/.

For more information on Urban CAP visit http://cap.ic.gc.ca/english/4000newonurban.shtml.