Community Calendar

Those interested in woodturning gather to share ideas and projects. Each meeting features a different turner demonstrating a project.

The Small Business Symposium, supported by a grant from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority, is a FREE day of business classes perfect for those in the beginning-to-three-year phase of starting a business.

9 - 10:30 AM

How to Access Business Financing: Chris Groner will explain the various ways to finance your business in Erie County.

10:45 - 11:45 AM Choose one:

Market Analysis 101: Nimalan Paul will explain how to understand what the market needs, estimate your business's potential, and analyze competitors to help your business grow.

Library Databases for Small Business: Build mailing lists, research competitors, level-up skills, and more with your library card. Learn how in this session.

Lunch Break. Lunch will be provided courtesy of the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.

12:30 - 1:30 PM Choose one:

Business Banking Fraud: Members of Marquette Savings Bank will discuss how fraudsters are seeking to scam small businesses through deceit in banking.

Erie County Public Library & Idea Lab: From paper copies to backer gifts, Adobe Suite to 3D prints, pre-entrepreneur classes and more see how the Idea Lab & ECPL support your business.

1:45 - 3:15 Choose one:

Using AI in Branding: Chris Lantinen explains generative AI, building your brand voice, avoiding AI giveaways, and using AI effectively as an internal tool.

Meet & Greet: Meet and chat with various accelerators, investors, and the Beehive Network, wait around for the small Questions BIG Answers class, or you can leave for the afternoon.

1:45 - 4:30 PM Optional:

Head Shots: Photographer Shaddai Crosby will be on hand to take free head shots for 11 lucky attendees. First 11 to sign up receive a spot. Sign up separately before the symposium at events.erielibrary.org

3:30 - 4:30 PM

small Questions BIG Answers: Tom Benson will teach this class on starting a business by focusing on basic planning questions to avoid costly mistakes.

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/15492600

Learn from scratch or brush up your skills with ECPL's computer classes! Designed to help someone learn the basics about their own laptop computer: function buttons, wifi, ports, and security among other topics. Bring your own laptop to class – if you don’t have a laptop – one to use will be provided

Pre-registration for computer classes is required. Each class costs $5.00 and pre-registration must be paid in advance of the class date. The library can only accept cash or check and payment is made at the Information Desk at the Blasco Library. Payment is non-refundable.

These classes are take place in-person at the Blasco Library's second floor Room 219. Please arrived to class on time.

Classes are generously supported by the Friends of the Library.

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/16075963

Starting a business can be exciting, but it’s also demanding, unpredictable, and sometimes overwhelming.

This workshop gives aspiring and new business owners a transparent look at the challenges they may encounter, including financial pressure, time management struggles, and emotional resilience. Walk away with practical tools and a clearer understanding of how to navigate the entrepreneurial journey with confidence and preparation.

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/15651784

Are you afraid your 501(c)3 is missing out on grant opportunities? In this week's grant writing program, learn:

Getting grant ready
Searching grants
Learning to research
Using the Foundation Directory Online database
This program is for nonprofits and 501(c)3s only.

Spaces are limited so registration is required.

Can't make it to the class? Check out Models of Proposal Planning and Writing, one of the best grant books out there.

Rachel Stevenson is the grant librarian at Erie County Public Library. Her grant class has won an award from Candid.

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/15803835

Learn to use the Idea Lab’s Ultimaker S3 3D printers in this fun, interactive class. You will learn how 3D printing works, how to find and download files for printing, and how to submit a print to the Idea Lab.

Free. Registration required. Ages 15 to adult. The class will take place in the Idea Lab's Community Class. Intermediate computer skills are required. You will be using a laptop and need to feel comfortable switching between programs and tabs while following along with an instructor. If you think that you will need extra assistance to complete this project, please bring a support person with you to class.

If you arrive late, we cannot guarantee entry to the class. We often have a waitlist; your spot can be given away if you do not arrive at the scheduled time.

Can’t make it to this class? Take this class online any time at https://eriecounty-pa.libguides.com/3dprint/certification-class

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/15899329

Learn from scratch or brush up your skills with ECPL's computer classes! Designed to help someone do the basics of spreadsheets with Microsoft Excel: cells, formulas, titles, borders, formatting, charts, graphs, and spreadsheet navigation, among other topics.

Pre-registration for computer classes is required. Each class costs $5.00 and pre-registration must be paid in advance of the class date. The library can only accept cash or check and payment is made at the Information Desk at the Blasco Library. Payment is non-refundable.

These classes are take place in-person at the Blasco Library's second floor Room 219. Please arrived to class on time.

Classes are generously supported by the Friends of the Library.

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/16076039

Join the Idea Lab staff to learn how to use the Idea Lab’s Roland Print and Cut machine to print your own stickers! This machine inks onto a vinyl sticker surface and cuts a line to make your design into a sticker. We'll teach you how to convert files to the proper format and add cut lines to your design. After you take this class, you will be certified to use this machine during the Idea Labs open hours.

Free. Registration required. Ages 13 to adult. Basic computer skills required. If you think you will need extra help, please bring a support person with you to this class.

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/16401907

Learn from scratch or brush up your skills with ECPL's computer classes! Designed to help someone do the basics of word processing with Microsoft Word: learn ribbons, font formatting, margins, tab stops, outlines, borders, headers/footers, among other topics.

Pre-registration for computer classes is required. Each class costs $5.00 and pre-registration must be paid in advance of the class date. The library can only accept cash or check and payment is made at the Information Desk at the Blasco Library. Payment is non-refundable.

These classes are take place in-person at the Blasco Library's second floor Room 219. Please arrived to class on time.

Classes are generously supported by the Friends of the Library.

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/16075970

Learn how to use the Idea Lab's laser cutter and engraver, the Glowforge! In this class you will learn how to safely operate the machine, where to find designs and how to use the online Glowforge App. Everyone will also get a chance to make a small keychain to take with them. After taking this class, you are certified to reserve and use the Glowforge independently when the Idea Lab is open. Registration is required. This class requires basic computer skills. If you will need extra help to complete this class, please bring a support person to assist you.

If you arrive late, we cannot guarantee entry to the class. We often have a waitlist; your spot can be given away if you do not arrive at the scheduled time.

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/15876606