WebJunction - Consultants

Where are the best library technology consultants? Here is a list of ways to hunt down a consultant in your community. Finding the right person is not automatic -- in most cases you will have to invest some time and energy into contacting and interviewing prospective consultants to make a good match.

Consult your local Technical Assistance Provider. An organization that provides technology services to nonprofits is probably your best resource for consultants. Most technical assistance providers do consulting themselves. Even if they don't, they are likely to be able to refer you to someone else. See the Technical Assistance Provider Resource List to find a technical assistance provider in your area.

Seek out recommendations. Which consultants have other libraries in your area used? Ask around. Find out as much as you can about the consultant, but be sure to decide for yourself based on an interview.

Search an online database. These searchable databases are geared specifically to consultants who work with nonprofits:

Alliance for Nonprofit Management's Provider Database. This nationwide database lets you search consultants links nonprofits to Alliance member consultants in their area.
Idealist.org's Search for Companies and Consultants. Idealist.org maintains an international database, which includes about 50 U.S. technical consultants. Under the Specialty menu, choose Computers and Technology, Web and Internet Services, or Information Systems.
Technology Solutions Directory. The American Society of Association Executives maintains this list of companies that do technical consulting for associations.
Consultants ONTAP. CompassPoint Nonprofit Services offers this database of Northern California consultants.

Recruit more actively. If you are in an area with fewer resources, you may need to recruit a consultant more actively. Here are some places to start:

Resource centers for small businesses
User groups and professional associations
Computer retail stores
Advertisements in technical newspapers

See the article Recruit a Volunteer for more ideas.

Who is really the best consultant for your library? Once you have contacted several candidates, the next step is to interview them and check their references. See Choose the Right Consultant for questions to ask the consultant and yourself before hiring. Once you choose a consultant, the next step is to negotiate a contract. See Writing a Contract with a Technology Consultant for a list of the elements to include in a good contract.