With many years in academic libraries in the US and the UK, LCN consultants have worked closely with publisher, vendor, and library partners to develop best practices in information management and discovery.
LIBRARY LEADERS
Library Consulting Network works with library staff and departments to detail current workflows, analyze processes, make recommendations for efficiencies, tell stories with data, and advise on library changes and trends. We also are available to teach workshops and speak at library events on collection development, using library data, e-resource management, and leadership.
We interviewed UC San Diego staff to understand their acquisition workflow for shared licensed resources across the University of California library system. We analyzed workflows, created workflow charts and documentation, recommended a new organizational chart, and created job descriptions for needed positions. We did this while working closely with leadership at the California Digital Library.
LIBRARY VENDORS
Library Consulting Network works with vendors in the information industry in a variety of ways. We are a group of experienced librarians who can support library vendor objectives and beat challenge areas. We provide advice and development assistance for products and business models, user studies, and user testing. We lead, moderate, and organize professional development opportunities and sales team training. We also author white papers, instruct, and present on library topics and research.
We conducted interviews with students at all levels, faculty, and researchers to learn their search and discovery habits in order to inform Yewno.
We created a program and training for a sales team meeting.
We conducted market research by interviewing a variety of librarians in collection development, subject specializations, and e-resource management from small, medium, and large academic libraries to determine the interest and need for a new product.
TESTIMONIALS
“As a market research agency, we have for many years compiled feedback from kids of all ages about their lifestyle and interests. We maintain this in a subscription database called YouthBeat and were considering whether there was an academic library marketplace for this rich collection of data. LCN used a panel of librarians to help us judge market interest. Their methodology, analysis, and final report were excellent.”
— Mary McIlrath, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, C+R Research
“Working with the Library Consulting Network was truly delightful. Michael and Jill were gracious, responsive, and provided clear guidance on their expectations throughout the process. Not only was I generously compensated for my time, but I gained valuable experience in working with a new tool that I may never have encountered otherwise. And it was fun! I highly recommend working with LCN.”
— Erin Gallagher, Electronic Resources Librarian, University of Florida Libraries
“Michael Levine-Clark recently produced a white paper – Going to the Source: Understanding Usage of Primary Source Materials Worldwide – which explores and interprets usage data and research patterns within Adam Matthew Digital’s primary source databases. The project was a huge success and proved extremely useful to both the editorial team at Adam Matthew, and our partners on the library side who work to promote and engage their readers in specialist content. The end result offers unique insight and value, thanks to the excellent analytical work on the raw data itself by Michael and his team, as well as the LCN’s connections to the global library and academic community; all extremely useful in illustrating the real-world scholarly application of this material.”
— Khal Rudin, Managing Director, Adam Matthew Digital