Even Library Consulting Firms Need to Rethink and Evolve
Over the past 10-15 years libraries and the communities they serve have undergone constant change due to rapidly evolving technology, changing patron preferences, social issues, and constant budget pressures. The events of the past several months have done much to intensify change and have also provided the opportunity to re-examine even the most basic operations and try new approaches. Most libraries understand that change brings opportunity and adapting to these changes can make institutions stronger, more relevant, and more responsive to the needs of their communities.
Since 2004 Kimberly Bolan and Associates (KBA), led by Kimberly (Kim) Bolan, MLS, has successfully provided facility planning, design services, and 21st century library service model changes to hundreds of libraries of all sizes and budgets across the United States and abroad. Rob Cullin joined Kim full-time at KBA in 2014. His involvement prior to that was part-time, as he focused most of his time on overseeing Evanced Solutions, LLC. Once taking a full-time approach to consulting, he led the company in expanding its services to include new approaches to strategic planning, community awareness, and marketing. During those sixteen years of work, Kim and Rob set KBA apart as the go-to firm for libraries interested in change and transformation.
As libraries evolve, so must the businesses that serve them, and in Fall 2019, Kim decided to make the move back into library administration and took a position with the Allen County Public Library (IN). With this move, it became clear to Kim and Rob it was time to rethink things. As a result, Rob, together with a new business partner Janet Nelson, established ReThinking Libraries, LLC and recently acquired KBA. Janet joins Rob with over 20 years of experience working with libraries and educators. Most of her experience was as a part of Demco, Inc in various strategic and leadership roles working with thousands of libraries across North America.
ReThinking Libraries (RTL) continues to build on the experience that Rob and Janet have gained in their years of learning from libraries. The approach of helping libraries survive and thrive in an environment of constant change remains consistent. It continues to be reinforced as RTL facilitates exploration of the ever-evolving issues using a holistic approach, helping libraries to better engage with their communities, envision their futures and evolve as the environment changes.
We are excited for this evolution and want to engage with all of you along the way. We plan to continuing sharing our experiences and insights around relevant issues challenging libraries. We hope you will reach out with your comments and questions and weigh in with feedback on the topics that interest you the most.
Join us on this journey as we continue to support libraries and their important mission.
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