Using Consultants in Libraries and Information Centers: A Management Handbook(Libraries Unlimited Library Management Collection)

This handbook offers a comprehensive discussion of the consultant/library relationship. It includes chapters written by full-time professional library consultants, information specialists, and library administrators who have had extensive experience in using consultants to solve a range or problems in information service. Parts I and II address the need to provide a solid foundation, based on an understanding of what the consultant will do, before arriving on the scene. Practical advice is offered by the contributors which should allow for the library or information center staff to more fully accept the activity of the consultant. A common thread woven throughout the chapters is the need for strong communication. Part III offers views on the roles that consultants may play in the negotiation process, the development of proposals, and in the evaluation of large-scale information systems. Specialty areas of consultancy are discussed in Part IV, while Part V explores the more vexing dilemmas associated with the consulting process. Parts VI and VII provide insights into the future use of consultants and explores alternatives to the use of the traditional external consultant. A bibliographic essay and comprehensive index complete the volume. New library administrators will find this book of value as they seek to understand the value of using consultants and in establishing effective working relationships with them. Middle management library administrators will find the book of interest as they seek to appreciate the range of specialities that consultants now offer. In addition, library and information science students, as well as consultants themselves, will find the book of practical value.

Table of Contents:
Establishing a Basis for the Use of a Consultant Basic Guidelines for Selecting and Working with a Consultant by Frances O. Painter When to Call in a Consultant and How to Choose the Right One by David Batty Seeking Consensus for the Employment of a Consultant by Mary Marshall What Makes a Consultant a Consultant? by David C. Genaway Budgetary Aspects of Using Consultants: The View from Under the Green Eye Shade by Carol Wasserman Diener Helping to Ensure a Successful Consultative Experience Laying the Groundwork: How the Library Can Help the Consultant Succeed by David M. Henington Thinking Through the Process Before Your Consultant Arrives on the Scene by Elaine Cohen Communicating with Your Consultant by Jessica Milstead Shaping Lasting Communication: The Consultant's Role in Strengthening the Relationship Between the Library and Its Governing Agency or Board by Mary Wagner Using Consultants in Negotiation, Proposal Development, and Evaluation The Role of the Consultant in Contract Negotiations: Expectations, Responsibilities, and Limitations by Susan Baerg Epstein The Use of Consultants in the Development of Request for Proposals by Edwin M. Cortez Using Consultants to Evaluate and Strengthen Systems and Computing Resources: Case Studies from a Large Research Organization by Wilda B. Newman Helping Solve Unique Problems: Perspectives from Selected Consultant Specialists The Library Financial Development and Advancement Specialist by Dennis F. Vest The Public Relations Consultant: An Important Asset in Difficult Times by Helen M. Gothberg The Records Management and Archives Consultant by Karen Benedict Services Provided by Risk Management Consultants by Frederick A. Kolish The Large, Multi-Purpose, Multi-Resource Consulting Group: Helping Clients Attain Confidence and Self-Sufficiency by Thomas M. Koulopoulos Ethical Issues and Dilemmas in the Use of Consultants Ethical Issues in the Consultant-Library Relationship by Thomas J. Froehlich The Value of Using a Consultant for a Long Term by Jeanne M. Isacco Continuing a Relationship with a Consultant Over Time: Possible Conflict of Interest? by Robert Skovira using Consultants to Help Libraries Act, Grow, and Respond to Change Using Consultants to Build a More Creative Organizational Culture by Susan Jurow Using Consultants to Enable the Strategic Planning Process by Mary Ellen Jacob Intervention Into Organizational Conflict: How Far Dare the Consultant Go in Strengthening the Organization's Future? by Kitty Smith Rules, Roles, and Responsibilities: Getting and Using Consultants' Reports Which Will Sustain Organizational Goals by Raymond R. McBeth Alternative Means of Gaining Consultative Expertise Alternative Consultants: Colleague Networks, Internal Consultants, and Peer Review by Mary Ann Walker and Duane Semler The Consultant as Regional Accreditation Team Member: An Alternative Resource for Library Development by Ronald G. Leach Encouraging the Development of Indigenous Consultants/Change Agents Within the Library and Information Center by Edward D. Garten Bibliographic Essay: Using Consultants in Libraries and Information Centers: Resources and Readings, 1970-1991 by Nancy Courtney and Anita Johnson Index

About the Author :
EDWARD D. GARTEN has been Director of University Libraries at the University of Dayton since 1985. He is a consultant specialist in organizational development and personnel issues. He has extensive experience as a Consultant-Evaluator with both the North Central Association and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Over his career he has served in numerous leadership positions with the American Library Association, the American Society for Information Science, and the American Society for Personnel Administration. He has published and edited works in library and information science and higher education.

Review :
?It should be clear by now that this is an interesting, infomative and challenging book. If there is any likihood that your organisation will use consultants, or will provide consultancy services, then read this book - or better, buy it, read it, and keep it near your desk for reference.?-Journal of Documentation ?This book is a useful guide to the consulting experience. Garten has done the profession a major favor by putting together this group of essays. With a list of contributors that reads like a Who's Who'' of experienced library and information services managers, Using Consultants is a major contender for the required reading'' shelf of any one-person library manager. . . . Finally, for the one-person library manager who is herself serving as the organization's in-house consultant in information matters (a role frequently and seriously urged by OPL's editors), Using Consultants can offer vital direction in defining the role of the consultant. Thus, whether the reader is looking for advice about choosing and using an external consultant, or whether she is seeking guidance in doing her own job well and making the best contribution she can to her organization, the book which Garten and his colleagues have put forth can serve as an essential text for the job.?-The One-Person Library ?Using Consultants in Libraries and Information Centers, edited by Edward D. Garten, is a collection of 28 essays that will help libraries use consultants. While written for the library administrator, this book will be useful for the aspiring consultant as well.?-AMERICAN LIBRARIES "It should be clear by now that this is an interesting, infomative and challenging book. If there is any likihood that your organisation will use consultants, or will provide consultancy services, then read this book - or better, buy it, read it, and keep it near your desk for reference."-Journal of Documentation "Using Consultants in Libraries and Information Centers, edited by Edward D. Garten, is a collection of 28 essays that will help libraries use consultants. While written for the library administrator, this book will be useful for the aspiring consultant as well."-AMERICAN LIBRARIES "This book is a useful guide to the consulting experience. Garten has done the profession a major favor by putting together this group of essays. With a list of contributors that reads like a Who's Who'' of experienced library and information services managers, Using Consultants is a major contender for the required reading'' shelf of any one-person library manager. . . . Finally, for the one-person library manager who is herself serving as the organization's in-house consultant in information matters (a role frequently and seriously urged by OPL's editors), Using Consultants can offer vital direction in defining the role of the consultant. Thus, whether the reader is looking for advice about choosing and using an external consultant, or whether she is seeking guidance in doing her own job well and making the best contribution she can to her organization, the book which Garten and his colleagues have put forth can serve as an essential text for the job."-The One-Person Library