PITTSBORO, NC — Chatham County Public Libraries is pleased to announce that Rita Van Duinen, branch manager of Chatham Community Library, has been named a fellow of LEAF Eastern 2026, the NC Libraries for Entrepreneurial Advancement Fellowship (NC LEAF) ade possible by NC IDEA Fundation. The statewide fellowship strengthensthe connection between public libraries and the entrepreneurs and small business owners they serve.

Van Duinen graduated as part of the LEAF Eastern 2026 after completing a two-and-a-half-day, in-person fellowship and skills-building event followed by eight weeks of virtual support. Through the program, LEAF Fellows build their confidence in providing business services, strengthen their skills using NC LIVE’s research tools, and connect with North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“As part of LEAF Eastern 2026 cohort and as a professional librarian, I am focused on helping entrepreneurs navigate the ecosystem here in Chatham,” said Van Duinen.

Van Duinen is entering her 10th year in the position and brings previous entrepreneurial education to her work with the fellowship. In 2029, she participated in NC IDEA’s Entrepreneurial Mindset “Ice House” Facilitator Training at Barton College. The training prepared participants to facilitate the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program and furthered NC IDEA’s efforts to expand entrepreneurial mindset education across North Carolina.Her participation in the NC LEAF program will further support her work connecting Chatham County residents, entrepreneurs, and small business owners with resources, research tools, and information.

“LEAF Fellows return to their libraries with enhanced skills in business reference, deeper awareness of statewide resources, and a growing network of peer and partner support,” said Sarah Gransee, Director of Library Development at the Library of North Carolina.

LEAF is designed to equip library staff with skills and resources to support entrepreneurs and small business owners in their communities. Through the fellowship, participants develop business-reference skills, learn to use research tools and statewide resources, and build connections within North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

NC IDEA is an independent private foundation committed to equitably empowering North Carolinians to achieve their entrepreneurial potential through competitive grants, programs, and a network of strategic partners.

For more information about NC IDEA and the NC LEAF program, visit www.ncidea.org.

Residents may visit the Chatham County Public Libraries website at www.chathamlibraries.org for information about library services, programs, and resources.