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Useful Tips In Selecting Library Planning Consultants

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By Lucia Weeks


Running a facility is no simple task. It requires the proper attitude, knowledge and expertise. Such an important responsibility cannot be entrusted to just anyone. You will need the most reliable set of people who can manage it effectively. Even if you wanted to complete all the tasks on your own, you might not have the luxury of time. The best solution given the circumstances is to commission an adviser.

The library planning consultants have the expertise to do planning, configuration, execution and operation on different types of libraries, from traditional setup to a digital library. Most of library consultants are either librarian with both expertise and experience in working in or managing a depository. Others are people from a different field who gained substantial knowledge relevant to libraries and information systems.

Although the consultant's background should be taken into consideration, you must focus more on the candidate's ability. Prior experience in the industry may give a librarian an edge, but someone exposed to a different field may contribute a fresh idea or two. A combination of both rookie and seasoned adviser is a great idea because it can brew an interesting result.

If you are looking for the right consultant to do the job, you must first identify what you need. Set up a criteria of what you are looking for in an applicant. Some of the most important questions you have to consider are what are the consultant's tasks, is he going to perform a single specific task or a complicated one and how many do you need.

This will help you identify the skills and abilities to look for in a candidate early on. In some cases, the tasks turned out to be more than what the consultant can handle, which led to unfavorable and unsatisfactory results. If you are anticipating a complex task, you might be needing more than one consultant. Each one must fit the duties and responsibilities that await.

After outlining the details, you may begin the hiring process. Make a list of available consultant who meet the requirements. There are many sources available at your disposal. The word of mouth is by far the most reliable. Other sources include state agencies, local or national associations of librarians and even the internet.

To narrow down your search, filter the candidates by assessing their expectations on the project. Contact your potential candidates and provide a brief overview of the project. Ask them what they think about the project, do they have the expertise and qualifications required, how they intend to accomplish it and if they can deliver it on the time frame you set.

The consultant's availability is another important consideration you must cover. Expect top-rate consultants to be pretty busy. Yet a dedicated professional will always allot the time to finish the completion of the projects they take. It is equally crucial to ask how the adviser intends to communicate the progress of the project despite their busy schedules.

Finally, decide on the fee structures. Some advisers charge a standard rate for the entire length of the contract while others charge hourly. If the project is divided into different stages, you may offer to break down the payments per stage. Anticipate the need to negotiate since you must also consider the organization's finances.




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