District Consultant, a personal perspective

District Promo

Outline

1. How do you understand and define, for yourself, the role of the district consultant

2. How has that role changed for you over the years?

3. What have been your most significant challenges and achievements as a district consultant?

4. What are your goals over the next 6 months? 5. What else would you like to say about being a

district consultant?

1. How do you understand and define, for yourself, the role of the

district consultant The Answer is 42

1. What is in the best interests of the communities you serve as a whole?

2. How can the district consultant help to make sure that libraries are successful? (given the current

resources, negotiated agreement process, and standards.)

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

8 bosses?

These questions are answered in a different way by the many “bosses” and the “stake-holders” of libraries in the district, region, and state.

Do what you can within the role as you see it.

Job description

Advice: Forget the Definitions.

It’s only words. Outcomes matter more.

What Should a Consultant Do? 1. Build networks and relationships.

2. Listen and be aware. 3. Identify “important” needs.

4. Improve skills.4. Follow the important rules.5. Make decisions. Respond.

6. Do the work.

2. How has that role changed for you over the years?

Pressure is on: There’s more of everything but time and money.

There’s always more to do: More information, more content, more needs to meet.

Technology is more important.

• The challenges? Knowing the right questions to ask, listening fully to the answers, and making the right decisions. Accepting things that are out of your control.

• The achievements? Doing the work. Getting it done. Seeing results.

3. What have been your most significant “challenges” and “achievements” as a district

consultant?

4. What are your goals over the next 6 months?:

District Consultant Action Plan: Learn

ImplementBe aware

CommunicateDo the work.

Interlibrary Loan: Online Workflow Application

E-books? E-Audios? OverDrive

Oh my!Kindle coming soon…

Websites, Databases and Online Content

Technology Cooperation: Library Inventory Control Systems and

websites through PeCoInfoToGo

And so much more…

Delivery Options Some Expertise: http://clicweb.org/moving-mountains/154-moving-mountains-find-a-library-courier-listing

Communications, Workshops, Facilitation, Strategic Planning, Survey Development, Work with Trustees, Board Development, Annual Reports/Paperwork, Distributions, Supporting Youth Services, Helping Office of Commonwealth Libraries.

5. What else would you like to say about being a district consultant?

special pointer: Don’t spread yourself too thin!

Reach Out

Carrie Cleary101 Walnut St. Harrisburg, PA 17101

ccleary@dcls.org

717-234-4961x106

http://capitalarealibrarydistrict.org

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Capital-Area-Library-District/