NEWS: Consultants give back: free 30-minute sessions in Chicago co-sponsored by ASCLA and PLA

CHICAGO — The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies’ (ASCLA) Library Consultants Interest Group and the Public Library Association (PLA) are teaming up to offer “Consultants Give Back” at the ALA Annual Conference — an opportunity for libraries to receive free 30-minute consultation sessions from professional library consultants.

This event features consultants with expertise in a wide variety of topics like facilitation, leadership development and succession planning, library facility planning, marketing strategy, privacy, social media, program evaluation, services to multicultural communities, services to children, tweens and teens and other relevant topics. It’s an excellent opportunity for public libraries and other types of libraries to test drive library consulting services.

Consultants scheduled to participate in this event are: Lori Bowen Ayre of The Galecia Group; Liz Bishoff of The Bishoff Group; Carson Block, Carson Block Consulting Inc.; Nancy Bolt, Nancy Bolt & Associates; Yolanda J. Cuesta, Cuesta MultiCultural Consulting; Carole D. Fiore, Training and Library Consulting; Donna Fletcher, Donna E. Fletcher Consulting, Inc./Library Survey Consultants; Cheryl Gould, Fully Engaged Libraries; Catherine Hakala-Ausperk, Libraries Thrive Consulting; Stephen C. Maack, REAP Change Consultants; Gretchen McCord, Digital Information Law; Ruth Metz, Ruth Metz Associates; Sam McBane Mulford, ideation * collaborative; Kathy Page, Page + Morris; Paula M. Singer, The Singer Group, Inc.; Melissa Stockton, Quipu Group; and Richard L. Waters, Godfrey’s Associates.

Consultants will be available 1 – 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Jackson Park 10D. Many consultants are also available by appointment at other times and locations throughout the conference. Reserving your appointment ahead of the conference is highly recommended. A list of participating consultants’ contact information is available at www.consultantsgiveback.org.

ASCLA, a small, mighty and growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Learn more about ASCLA and how to join this innovative division.

PLA is a division of the American Library Association. PLA’s core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. Its mission is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services. For more information, visit  www.pla.org.

Library consultants! Sign up now to offer free services as part of “Consultants Give Back” at ALA Annual Conference

The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) and the Public Library Association (PLA) are teaming up to offer “Consultants Give Back” at the 2012 ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif.—an opportunity for libraries to receive free 30-minute consultation sessions from professional library consultants.

This event features consultants with expertise in a wide variety of topics like RFID, marketing and communications, executive searches, buildings and facilities, strategic planning and library trends, among many others. Participating consultants will be available during the “Consultants Give Back” office hours, 1:30-5:30 p.m. in room 203B of the Anaheim Convention Center on Sunday, June 24 or at other times throughout the conference. Registration is now open for consultants wishing to offer services as a part of this exciting event. Access the consultant registration form here.

For those seeking consulting services, a list of participating consultants and their availability will be available on the ASCLA website in early May, and will be promoted via the ASCLA blog, ASCLA Facebook page and ASCLA Twitter feed. Those interested in booking a session should contact the consultant of their choice no later than Monday, June 20, 2012.

Questions about the consultation sessions should be directed to Nancy Bolt at nancybolt@earthlink.net or Paula Singer pmsinger@singergrp.com. Consultants interested in engaging and networking with library consulting peers for the benefit of all independent library professionals should join ASCLA’s Library Consultants Interest Group.