Most business information enquiries are addressed at the Business Information Centre, located in the Central Library, ILAC Centre, Dublin 1. Staff in the Business Information Centre will be pleased to provide you with help and information on subjects of business interest.

The Business Information Centre is a reference service* run by Dublin City Public Libraries, specialising in company and market research information. The Centre holds books, directories, Irish Government Legislation, business magazines, databases, Irish City and County Council Development Plans, newspapers, and has a collection of Irish company reports.

* Items cannot be borrowed. Photocopying and printing facilities (where applicable) are available. Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000 applies.

The Business Information Centre is a key information source for:

Career Directions and Development

• Attend a lecture/workshop in our career direction and development programme of events
• Check out prospective employers
• Investigate a company's financial status
• Suggested websites for finding a job

Starting a Business

• 'Start Your Own Business' - biannual programme of lectures and workshops in association with Dublin City Enterprise Board
• Books, periodicals, business magazines, reports and newspapers
• Access sample business plans
• Research the markets
• Find sources of loans, grants, and support facilities
• Find out about VAT, taxation, company law
• Sourcing financial assistance and funding – suggested websites
• Referral service, where necessary
• Download a list of Dublin Regional & Local Enterprise Boards and Partnerships (PDF, 56KB) Cannot access PDF?

Doing Research

• Business information in the Business Information Centre and on the Internet
• Business databases
• Investigate market information and consumer analysis
• Study the wide range of reference books, magazines and directories
• Irish Personalities Newspaper Archive Collection: newspaper articles on well-known Irish people
• Suggested business blogs

Databases - Business Online Information

A database is a reputable electronic collection of information containing full text documents, citations or abstracts of articles. May also contain newswires, blogs and press releases.

A range of online databases are available at the Business Information Centre. Consumer research databases MINTEL and Euromonitor International are available on PCs in the Centre. Company research databases include Kompass Online, Vision - NET Online. Online newspaper and periodical databases such as Financial Times, Emerald, INFOTRAC, Irish Times Archive, Irish Newspaper Archive are also available in the Centre.

Please Note: Printouts from our subscription databases cost 20 cent per page for A4 black and white.

Newspaper Holdings

Current and back issues of newspapers can be accessed in the Business Information Centre as well as a number on microfilm and online. [View a list of online newspapers]

Newspapers, both national and local, some dating from the 18th century, form a considerable part of the materials held in the Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street, and available for reference in the Reading Room.

Reference Titles / Directories

The Business Information Centre stocks a comprehensive range of reference works (i.e. cannot be borrowed).

• Representative sample of directories, guides, diaries and yearbooks, both Irish and International
• Printed telephone books available for Republic of Ireland ONLY (01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07/09 areas)
• Access to international telephone directories online is provided on 3 computers
• International telephone directories online - suggested websites

Magazine and Periodical Collection

• Magazines in print
• Electronic journals

Business Information - Web Guide

We have compiled a list of useful and informative websites in such areas as company information, finance, and starting your own business:

• Suggested business websites
• Websites in the areas of education and learning

Business Courses and Programmes

• Schools and colleges offering business courses and programmes in the Dublin area
• Suggested list of Adult Education websites

View photos of the Business Information Centre on flickr! (or click on images above)