Does the James J. Hill Reference Library have a defined marketplace niche?

Are my conversations with a Business Specialist confidential?


Is the James J. Hill Reference Library available for anyone to use?

Is the James J. Hill Reference Library a public library?

Who uses the Library's services?

How many inquiries does the Library handle each year?

Is the Library's staff adequately experienced to handle my business questions?

How are research requests made to the Library?

Does it cost money to use the Library's research services?

Does the Library provide customized research and analysis?

Can someone show me how to use the Library's resources and how to conduct business research?

What are the Library's policies regarding fair use and copyright?

Is the James J. Hill Library's physical structure historically significant?

Can I find information on James J. Hill at the Library?

What is the difference between secure sign in and standard sign in?


Q.
Does the James J. Hill Reference Library have a defined marketplace niche?
A. In 1976, the James J. Hill Reference Library chose a niche that reflected its benefactor's legacy: business. Today, the Library has become the singular outstanding private business library in the country. Focusing on serving the needs of small business, the Library's collection and Business Information Specialists help patrons access the practical business information they need to succeed to create "informed business strategy." In addition, the Library serves a broad constituency including educators, students, entrepreneurs, start-up companies, single practitioner consultants, government employees, journalists, individuals and employees of other nonprofit organizations.
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Q. Are my conversations with a Business Specialist confidential?
A. Absolutely. Hill Business Information Specialists and researchers realize that oftentimes patrons want information to help start a new business or expand an existing one. Every conversation you have with a Hill Specialist - in the Library, on the phone, via email or over the Internet - is strictly confidential.
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Q. Is the James J. Hill Reference Library available for anyone to use?
A. Yes. There are many people who are unaware that the James J. Hill Reference Library is free and open to the public year-round. HillSearch memberships are restricted to small businesses, students and individuals who don't use subscription databases on a regular basis.
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Q. Is the James J. Hill Reference Library a public library?
A. No. The Library is classified as a "special" library. It is funded by a Hill endowment, membership fees, donations and private sources. "Public" implies that a library is tax supported.
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Q. Who uses the Library's services?
A. The Library's collection and staff are geared towards serving the business information needs of small business, educators, students, entrepreneurs, start-up companies, single practitioner consultants, and employees of other nonprofit organizations. In addition, hundreds of professional historians and researchers visit the Library each year to study our extensive historical business collection featuring the complete personal and business papers of James J. Hill, Louis W. Hill, Reed/Hyde and other collections.
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Q. How many inquiries does the Library handle each year?
A. In all, the Library fields about 50,000 inquiries annually, in addition to the millions of visitor sessions we see on our various Web properties each year. The Library's Business Information Specialists provide assistance to clients in person, enabling them to do their own research, and to clients who make off-site requests via the Web site, phone or email.
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Q. Is the Library's staff adequately experienced to handle my business questions?
A. The combined business research experience of the Library's professional staff exceeds 150 years. All Hill Business Information Specialists are masters-degree trained professional researchers and librarians. They relish the toughest business questions, including: "What's the wholesale price of African dried black shark fin in Singapore."
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Q. How are research requests made to the Library?
A. Many clients access the Library's extensive resources by phone (651-265-5500), fax (651-265-5520), email (info@jjhill.org) and the World Wide Web via Live Chat. Others pay a personal visit to the Library, located at 80 West 4th Street in downtown St. Paul, MN.
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Q. Does it cost money to use the Library's research services?
A. The Library's Reference Services provides assistance at no cost to visitors and callers, helping them quickly and expertly locate information. Nominal fees in Reference Services are charged for photocopying, printing or downloading CD-ROM material. The Hill Library also offers a number of online programs available for free, membership programs, and fee-based research services.
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Q. Does the Library provide customized research and analysis?
A. Yes. The Library's fee-based research and document delivery service was created in 1993 to respond to client requests for customized business research and analysis. Trained staff can take an information request from the beginning or take over when a request requires more in-depth research than reference assistance provides.
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Q. Can someone show me how to use the Library's resources and how to conduct business research?
A.Yes. There are business information search training sessions held at the Library, and online, and a Business Information Specialist would be happy to travel to your organization. Call 651-265-5500 or email info@jjhill.org and ask for the marketing department.
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Q. What are the Library's policies regarding fair use and copyright?
A. The James J. Hill Reference Library cannot give legal advice or offer opinions on what is permitted or prohibited. However, for the convenience of our patrons, we have created Copyright Guidelines which should help you better understand what you may and may not download/print/use in your research. For further, authoritative information on copyright, please refer to Title 17 of the United States Code.
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Q. Is the James J. Hill Library's physical structure historically significant?
A. Yes. It is included in the National Register of Historic Places and considered one of the best examples of Beaux Arts architecture in Minnesota. Indeed, those who have not visited the Library's Great Reading Room are missing a visual delight and serene spot for conducting research. Clients are encouraged to visit and enjoy a cup of fresh coffee.
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Q. Can I find information on James J. Hill at the Library?
A. Absolutely. James J. Hill is truly the epitome of a person who lived the American business dream by making use of credible and relevant information. Learn more about James J. Hill and the history of the Hill Library.
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Q. What is the difference between secure sign in and standard sign in?
A.Secure sign in provides you with extra protection for your information transmission using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) technology. However, secure mode tends to be slower. If you received an error message when you tried to use our secure sign in, sign in using our standard server.
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