The New Haven Free Public Library, an anchor institution of the Elm City Innovation Collaborative, is excited to launch the third round of in-residence appointments for Ives Squared.

Samantha (Sammi) Williams, M.S. is a content strategist with over twenty years of writing experience. She founded the content development firm, Sam’s Word, LLC in 2015, with the goal of alleviating the writing burden of others. Writing has been a natural passion for Sammi, and she leverages those skills ​through the facilitation of business development, marketing, and communication workshops. When Sammi is not providing ​training to other businesses, she assists businesses with content development, editing, proofreading, copywriting, and more.

Sammi earned a Master’s in Health Care Administration from the  University of New Haven and a Bachelor’s in Business ​Administration / Human Resource Management from York College – CUNY.  Sammi is also a certified Six Sigma Green Belt ​and Notary Public.

EIR Office Hours
Mondays, 10:30 am-12:30 pm​ | Wednesdays, 10:30 am-12:30 pm​ 
*Office hours will be canceled on the 24 and 26th​ due Mardi Gras Event
Note: Office Hours will be held Tuesday, March 17 instead of Monday, March 16

Social Media Management for All Businesses
Wednesday, March 4, 1:30-3:30 pm ​
Learn how to best manage your social media to reach your target customers! Includes focus on both Instagram and Facebook.

Presenting with Confidence: Reduce Your ​ Stress & Grow Your Business
Wednesday, March 11, 1:30-3:30 pm ​
Featuring: Steve Porcaro — SalesPlus
Learn how to make presentations less frustrating and more enjoyable for yourself and your audience. Learn the skills to become more confident and relaxed in front of an audience which will translate into a successful speaking event to grow your business.

How to Get Paid When You Can’t Work
Tuesday, March 17, 1:30-3:30 pm
Featuring: Marty Feldman – Combined Insurance
As a business owner, what would happen if you got into an accident or got sick and couldn’t work for weeks or months? Learn how to financially protect yourself and your income by using programs that will pay cash directly when you are injured and unable to work.

The Foundation of Entrepreneurship – Key Strategies for Success featuring Tracy V Allen
Wednesday, March 25, 1:30-3:30 pm
Featuring: Tracy V Allen
As an entrepreneur, goal setting is especially important. You must learn to set goals before & during your entrepreneurship journey to ensure the success of your business and operational planning.

Payroll & Tax Filing for Small Businesses
Tuesday, March 31, 1:30-3:30 pm
Featuring: Mike Bennis — ADP
Payroll and taxes don’t have to be daunting. Learn implementable strategies to improve your payroll processes and tips all small business owners need to know about filing taxes.​

Joel Callaway is a New Haven-based creative professional with a range of experience. He believes in collaboration over competition and looks for opportunities to encourage others in their creative endeavors.

His early career was in graphic design focusing on print. After finishing an undergrad at Albertus Magnus, he successfully completed the Connecticut Film Industry Training program and worked on several production crews for film and tv. He currently works as a photographer as well as teaching multimedia classes at the University of New Haven. 

CIR Office Hours
Tuesdays 5-7 pm | Thursdays 4-6 pm

Adobe Illustrator: Vector Love
Thursday, March 5, 6:30-7:30 pm
We’ll be exploring effective logo design with pencil, paper, and Adobe Illustrator.

Lightning In Your Pocket
Thursday, March 12, 6:30-7:30 pm
Learn a few photography flash basics by playing with small, off-camera strobes.

DIY Rockstar
Saturday, March 21, 12-2 pm
Who needs to buy a guitar? Create a DIY single-stringed electric instrument in our Tinker Lab. All materials are provided.

Lo-fi Guerrilla Screen Printing
Thursday, March 26, 6-7:30 pm
Screen printing can be traced back roughly 2,000 years. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to directly reproduce images and designs. We’ll explore the process and make some cool prints!

The Switchboard is the welcoming front door for individuals to connect their interests to opportunity, services, databases and resources inside and outside the Library.

City Facts February 2020 Contest
Fill out the quiz using any resource you like and the winners will be entered into a prize raffle at the end of the month!

New Haven is a collegiate city full of culture and nightlife. However, it can also be quite romantic! Answer the questions below on some of the Elm City’s most charming settings and get some inspiration for your Valentine’s Day.

The Exchange offers an entrepreneurial and social space for collaboration and co-working around business, civic and community issues.

Exchange Resources

Exchange February Programming

Collab Office Hours
Thursdays, 3-5 pm
Fridays, 1:30-3:30 pm
Collab is a small business, nonprofit, and for-profit support program committed to serving Connecticut entrepreneurs. Get one-on-one advice about obtaining capital, mentorship, and other resources for entrepreneurs based in Connecticut. For more information about Collab, visit collabnewhaven.org.
Set an appointment

Elmseed Office Hours
Saturdays, 10-12 pm – Drop-ins welcome!
Address your business questions and concerns with dedicated Yale student volunteers. More information

Small Business Counseling Day with the Women’s Business Development Council
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, 10-3 pm
Register for one-on-one hour-long appointments where you’ll receive expert advice and counsel pertaining to your own small business and startup dreams in order to make them a reality.

Carving Your Path in Digital and TV Production
Saturday, February 29, 2020, 1-2:30 pm
This workshop is designed to help creatives, production and post-production crew, and talent navigates their way through the industry through providing tools in getting in the door of their dream job, building their network, developing their craft and climbing the ladder of success.

Tune-up your Brand Resonance for Marketing Success
Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 6-7:30 pm
Problem: How do you stand out in a sea of brands? Solution: By harnessing the power of harmony, consistency, momentum, and impact. Through interactive exercises, you’ll discover ways to express how you want your brand to make people feel, who is in your tribe, and how to articulate your brand’s superpowers.

Marketing Communications Workshop for Nonprofits
Thursday, March 12, 2020, 6-7:30 pm 
Gain confidence in why you are using digital tools so you produce messaging that is effective and brand-oriented. For nonprofits, storytelling and marketing are key to gaining support.  In this hands-on workshop, learn to gain confidence and utilize various digital tools to produce messaging that is effective, efficient and brand-oriented.

Ryan Turner is Co-Owner and SEO Evangelist at 3Prime Web Solutions and a mentor for SCORE New Haven.  Ryan graduated from the University of Connecticut and later found his calling in business consulting and search engine marketing.  He has extensive experience in business planning and strategy, IT services and technology and sales, marketing and public relations.

Small Business Counseling Day with the WBDC
Tuesday, March 17th, 10 -3 pm
Register for one-on-one hour-long appointments with representatives from the Women’s Business Development Council where you’ll receive expert advice and counsel pertaining to your business dream.

Elmseed Entrepreneurship Development Course
Saturday, March 28, 11 – 2 pm
Learn how to turn your newest idea into a successful company. Presented by the dedicated Yale student volunteers of Elmseed.

Collab Course: Know Your Expertise
Monday, March 30, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Want to start a business, project, or nonprofit, but don’t have an idea yet? In this workshop, participants will learn how to tap into their own expertise to come up with ideas that can impact their community.

New Haven Artrepreneur Series
Join us for a conversation with prominent New Haven artists as they discuss the opportunities and challenges unique to being an artist and an entrepreneur. Facilitated by local artist and entrepreneur, Eric Rey.

Dooley-O Jackson – Saturday, March 14, 3:30-4:30 pm
Meet hip-hop DJ, MC, recording artist, and producer Dooley-O.

Kwadwo Adae – Saturday, March 21, 3:30-4:30 pm
Chat with local visual artist, muralist, and founder of the Adae Fine Art Academy.

SCORE Entrepreneur Series – Spring 2020
Thursdays in April, 5:30-7:30 pm
Each of these sessions within the SCORE Entrepreneur Series is tailored to give you the tools and knowledge to start your business off right. Refreshments provided. Please register for each session you wish to attend.

April 2 – Business Planning with Dennis Brown
April 9 – Building a Competitive Advantage with Art Mollengarden
April 16 – Managing Career Transition with Richard Montanaro 
April 30 – Digital Marketing with Ryan Turner
May 7 – Money and Finance with TBD

Understanding Small Business Financial Statements with the CEDF
Wednesday, April 22, 5:30-8 pm
This crash course will help clear up confusion and misunderstandings about small business financial reporting. You’re guaranteed to be more comfortable and confident in your knowledge.

The Tinker Lab provides the training and tools for experimentation and an introduction to the world of creating and making, an essential element of the 21st-century learner.

Tinker Lab February Programming

Tinker Lab Resources

Equipment Certification click the date to register

3D Printer Makerbot Level 1

Tuesday, March 3, 6:00-7:30 pm

Wednesday, March 25, 3:00-4:30 pm

3D Printer Prusa Level 2 Note: ***You must be certified with the Makerbot before you may take the Prusa class.

Tuesday, March 17, 6:00-7:30 pm

Laser Cutter Basics Level 1

Thursday, March 5, 6:00-7:30 pm

Wednesday, March 11, 3:00-4:30 pm

Laser Cutter Rotary Attachment Level 2 Note: ***You must be fully certified with the laser cutter before you may take the rotary attachment class.

Thursday, March 12, 6:00-7:30 pm

Vinyl Cutter Note: Out of order.

Carving Machine

Tuesday, March 10, 6:00-7:30 pm

Wednesday, March 18, 3:00-4:30 pm

Spanish Certification: By appointment only.

CREATIVE PROGRAMS

DIY Leather Earrings
Saturday, March 7, 2:00-3:00 pm
Let’s learn how to make 3 EASY leather earrings with minimal supplies using the laser cutter and Cricut machine.

Meditative Art Journaling
Friday, March 20, 2:00-4:00 pm
Using videos from Creativebug, learn how to make a meditative art journal that serves as a container for your hopes, fears, frustrations and more. This small hand-bound book provides the perfect place to journal and explores your feelings through words and art.

SKILLSHARE PROGRAMS 

Charm Necklace Workshop
Saturday, March 14, 2:00-3:30 pm
Come make a custom necklace decorated with a variety of different charms and beads.

Graphic Design

Audacity Monday, March 9, 6:00-7:00 pm
Photoshop: Make an Animated GIF Monday, March 16, 6:00-7:00 pm
Illustrator: Design a Business Card Thursday, March 19, 6:00-7:00 pm

The Café and patio are open!   

We are excited to announce the arrival of our new partner, Orchid Café on the Green.  Orchid Café actively employs graduates and current students of ConnCAT’s culinary arts program and is intended to help local talent “transform their lives” through culinary arts. Orchid Café on the Green, located at the New Haven Free Public Library’s Ives Main Branch, will be their second café location to open. In this partnership, we are excited to support community-focused programming and exceptional hospitality.  Stay tuned for updates, special events and more!

 The Café is an ideal spot for networking and social gatherings offering beverages and snacks to relax and recharge as well as a patio overlooking the New Haven Green.

Ives Squared Usage Policy

If you have any questions you can call 203.946.8130 ext.140