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Library Science. Record Studies. Informology

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Motivation of consulting activities: Library aspect

Alona Zbanatska

Received 04.11.2024, Revised 21.01.2025, Accepted 24.02.2025

Abstract

In the second half of the 2000s and the first half of the 2010s, Ukrainian libraries faced problems related to globalisation and digitisation, which influenced the increasing role of consulting in the library sector. The purpose of the study was to disclose the essential signs of motivation of consulting in attracting information consultants to library activities. Consulting activities in the library sector covered a wide range of tasks: from strategic planning to optimisation of library business processes and work with library users. The main reasons for attracting information consultants to the library sphere related to various areas of the library’s work were analysed. During the study of information consulting in the library sphere, the reasons for attracting information consultants to libraries were comprehensively highlighted. The analysis of publications revealed the content of the main reasons for attracting consultants, who were actively used in the theory and practice of library science. It was revealed that consultants were involved to help libraries identify, design, and implement solutions for a variety of strategic, managerial, operational, and human resources. They were designed to identify problems that were in the library in advance; if they were not fixed in time, this could negatively affect the work of the library. It was indicated that the consultants functioned as agents of change, played an important role in supporting the strategic development of the library, librarians, and users, providing them with the opportunity to get an objective assessment of the situation and determine the best ways to improve their work. It was found out that they were involved for a certain period of time to evaluate and solve a specific problem in the library, and to develop a set of recommendations for improving the library’s performance. The motivation of consulting activities and their functional direction have been the driving force for positive changes in the management, strategic development of libraries and library science activities. The need to attract trained consultants was manifested in the desire to constantly improve processes, find the best solutions, and ensure efficient use of resources, which contributed to the development of individual libraries and the industry as a whole. The practical significance of this research lies in the possibility of improving information consulting in the library sector of Ukraine by using foreign experience at the level of a separate business process and at the general library level

Keywords:

information consulting; library consulting; library consultants; consulting services; reasons for attracting consultants

https://doi.org/10.63009/lsrsi/1.2025.38

Retrieved from Vol. 21, No. 1, 2025

Pages 38-48

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Suggested citation

Zbanatska, A. (2025). Motivation of consulting activities: Library aspect. Library Science. Record Studies. Informology, 21(1), 38-48. https://doi.org/10.63009/lsrsi/1.2025.38