Professional credits public library with helping realize business dream

Lori Hartnett, a resident of Lincolnshire, is a satisfied patron of the Vernon Area Public Library. She credits the library with equipping her to pursue a new online business, Cooking Fresh Today. A library patron since 1993, Hartnett has worked in the food industry for more than 25 years, predominately in recipe development. So when she decided to launch a cooking website, she said she "had the food piece down; but the technology piece? The library gave me the tools."

Hartnett came up with the idea to launch an instructive, information-rich cooking website in the fall of 2015. She had done her market research but she needed help with website design and analytics, refining her photo-editing skills and learning how to promote her business via social media. She turned to the library's free classes and resources.

Among the computer classes Hartnett attended were Photoshop Elements, Google Sites, Google Analytics and YouTube marketing. When a conflict prevented her from attending a Facebook for business class, librarian Kathleen Weiss provided one-on-one consultation to get her Cooking Fresh Today page up on the social media platform in time for her website launch. "There's something about the library staff," said Hartnett, "so professional, helpful and friendly."

Hartnett visits the library often, for both pleasure and business. On a recent trip, we found her browsing the food and lifestyle magazines where, she said, she gets inspiration for creating recipes and photo settings. The entrepreneur subscribes to a handful of food magazines at home but she appreciates the great selection at the library and that she can check out as many magazines as she likes.

She is also a big fan of library subscriptions to premium online resources that give patrons free access to information and learning otherwise only available for a fee. "Resources like Lynda.com are incredible," said Hartnett. "I gain so much from the library - tips, facts, resources."

She has words of advice for every resident of the library district: "When you get the library's newsletter, don't recycle it! There's something in there for all interests and ages." The next library newsletter is expected in mailboxes around Thanksgiving and will include listings for more than 100 classes and events happening this winter.