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PLAN FOR CONSULTING SERVICES
Definition of the service
System consulting staff provides professional advice on matters relating
to administration, operation and creation of libraries.
Introduction
The development of libraries, whether public, school, special, or
academic is paramount to improvement of library service for residents of
Illinois. The System role in improving libraries hinges on a
quality-consulting program with staff that is able to provide
professional advice on a wide range of topics that affect the day-to-day
and long-term operation of libraries. The advising role of the System is
designed not to provide answers to libraries' problems or perceived
problems but to work with local agencies to identify problems and assist
in developing solutions that are appropriate for the situation.
Certainly there are times that the role of the consultant can be
compared to that of a reference librarian: utilizing professional
publications to answer questions identified by the member libraries.
The key to consulting services is to have available professional staff
to work with the issues that arise from day to day.
A final consulting role is the specialized area of expanding
tax-supported library service by encouraging larger units of service or
working with individual citizens who are interested in establishing a
library. Overall, consulting offers systems a choice of methods of
delivering the service and much opportunity for creativity and
intersystem cooperation.
Consulting Services Offered
- Building
Illinois libraries continue to improve through remodeling or building a
new facility. A library is usually involved in a major project such as
this only once in a long span of years. Librarians, boards, and
administrators are looking for guidance where decisions will have a
long-term effect. RPLS provides consulting to librarians, boards, and
administrators concerning the needs for a facility based on the
library’s service population and the financial support available
including grants.
- Collection Management
Librarians are aware of the need to be vigilant in the development of
their libraries’ collections in this technological age. No collection
fulfills all the needs of the patrons, so it is important to know what
strengths exist in each collection in order to be prepared to
participate in statewide sharing. RPLS works with all our libraries to
provide assistance in collection management either as a group or on an
individual basis.
- Establishment, Expansion, and Development of Library Service
Establishment of public libraries is an ongoing discussion area with
communities within RPLS boundaries who do not at the present time have
access to a public library. The establishment of a library requires the
support of the community and that support develops gradually.
Communities must decide if it is in their best interest to establish an
independent library or to be a part of the expansion of another library
district.
Over one-half of the public libraries within RPLS have become district
libraries with the potential of adding unserved territory to their
boundaries. The continued expansion of libraries within RPLS is certain,
and we constantly work with librarians, boards and other community
members to encourage that establishment or expansion to eliminate
unserved areas.
- Grants Development
The philosophy of RPLS continues to be one of facilitating, enabling and
encouraging individual libraries or groups of libraries to apply for
grants. Librarians gain experience and confidence through administering
their own grants. Over the years, the System has applied for grants to
improve the System for all member libraries and will continue to do so
in the future. Every opportunity for statewide grants, which affect
individual libraries is publicized and encouraged so libraries within
RPLS can take advantage of grants, which may be a one-time opportunity.
- Interlibrary Cooperation Activities
In RPLS there are many libraries located in small communities and many
solo librarians serving patrons. RPLS provides opportunities for sharing
of ideas and forums where librarians can develop their own alliances and
friendships. The System by its very nature is a cooperative operation,
and libraries expect to be a part of that activity.
- Legislation/Law
The System is the conduit for information regarding the legislative
process in the State of Illinois. RPLS provides opportunities for
librarians to interact with legislators. Notices of Federal and State
legislation that impact libraries are distributed to member libraries.
Librarians are encouraged to express their opinions regarding library
legislation.
RPLS offers interpretation and assistance in understanding library and
other laws, which pertain to the legality of library service. See the
section on Legal Opinions under Administration for additional
information on this topic.
- Library and Personnel Administration
RPLS is charged with some reporting responsibilities in regard to
library administration, and considerable time is spent with librarians
helping them complete forms for State requirements. As new librarians
are hired, the need is always there to orient new people to the process.
RPLS provides librarians and boards with opportunities to better
understand their roles within the library and the community.
Personnel becomes a sticky problem for every library at some time, and
it is an area where librarians and board members feel a need for
consultation. RPLS provides group opportunities to discuss the issues
involved, but confidential discussions are held with individual
libraries to provide a sounding board when problems arise.
- Marketing of Library Service
Each library has its own style of making its patrons and community aware
of its services. RPLS takes every opportunity to encourage libraries to
publicize library services available by recognizing libraries that
provide good materials or activities. RPLS sets an example by producing
materials which create awareness of system and statewide activities.
- Planning and Budgeting
Planning and budgeting take considerable time for administrators and
boards. Planning is an area that has been required of public libraries
for statewide grants. However, all types of libraries benefit from the
creation of a long-range plan. RPLS works with its member libraries to
continue the process of planning.
Budgeting in today’s changing libraries is a daunting task. Librarians
are sometimes uncomfortable when the responsibility for tight budgets
falls into their hands, so consulting in these areas consists of
reassurance as well as practical suggestions regarding expenditures.
Assistance given to libraries in the budget process does not replace the
responsibility of the library for determining the specific monetary
needs of their library nor the fulfilling of legal filing requirements.
Consulting Services Providers
Consulting services to RPLS librarians are provided by librarians
employed by RPLS, other employees of RPLS who have technical training in
specialized areas such as automation or interlibrary loan, and RPLS
member librarians who have expertise in a variety of areas such as
library expansion, Friends groups, and preservation. The names of
individual system staff designated as the provider of consulting in each
of the core and general areas of consulting are available in the Whom to
Ask For What section of the system Web page.
RPLS keeps abreast of state and national issues and initiates consulting
services on those topics, which are emerging as emphasis areas. RPLS
librarians respond to consulting calls concerning all the areas
mentioned in the standards in a timely manner. Some consultants tend to
be specialists in areas such as school libraries, automation and
reference, but all the consultants take questions from librarians or
refer them to the person with the most knowledge in the area.
Delivery of Consulting Services
RPLS has always adhered to the standards in regard to the delivery of
consulting services, i.e., acknowledging requests within two working
days, satisfying 90 percent of the consulting requests, and satisfying
the consulting requests in five working days or negotiating a different
time line. Consulting requests are a paramount concern of the System and
will continue to be so. RPLS answers all consulting questions and
requests or contacts individuals within the system, state, or nation
that have the needed facts. Also, a network of consulting exists within
the RPLS area as a result of contacts made and knowledge developed over
time. Member librarians have come to expect and do receive quality
consulting service from RPLS.
Level of Consulting Assistance
The level of consulting assistance varies from library to library and
from person to person. If a question can be answered by a phone call or
email, that is the extent of the assistance. However, if a librarian
requires long-term help on a project, we will provide our expertise. A
consideration is the level of training of the librarian or the extent of
the problem. RPLS offers help and will continue to work with the
librarian for as long as the librarian wants advice. In general, the
consulting advice we offer does not include actual hands-on activity in
the library except for demonstration purposes or to get a project
started. |
