Becoming an Independent Information Professional

Powell, Melissa M. (ed.) Becoming an Independent Information Professional: How to Freelance, Consult, and Contract for Fun and Profit. Libraries Unlimited, 2018. ISBN: 978-1-4408-5540-5

Description
This book shares the experiences of successful information professionals who work as contractors or consultants, providing a complete picture of what to expect and a step-by-step plan to start your independent career.

Table of Contents
Introduction: How to Use This Book to Get Where You Want to Be
Chapter 1 Is Consulting Work for You?
Chapter 2 Values-Based Consulting
Chapter 3 The Map of Your Marketplace
Chapter 4 Know the Numbers That Tell Your Story: The Legal and Financial Aspects of Your New Business
Chapter 5 Company Culture
Chapter 6 Marketing and Branding
Chapter 7 Pipelines and Charging for Services
Chapter 8 Getting It Done: Project Management Tips for Library Consultants
Epilogue: A Few Last Things Before You Begin Your Journey
Appendix A Specific Types of Consulting
Appendix B ASCLA Library Consultants Code of Ethics

Story Smart

 

Haven, K. (2014). Story Smart: Using the Science of Story to Persuade, Influence, Inspire, and Teach. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited. ISBN: 978-1-61069-811-5

Publisher's Description

This one-of-a-kind book explores the neuroscience behind persuasion and influence to reveal the role that storytelling plays in inspiring, enlightening, and educating an audience.

Storytelling has been used for centuries as a means to sway public opinion, influence behavior, and inspire change. Yet according to recent research, 98 percent of stories shared are ineffective, and one-third of all narratives are actually counterproductive to delivering the meaning intended by the teller. Author Kendall Haven contends that you can craft messages that will resonate effectively with your audience by learning and utilizing the science of story.

Based on breakthroughs in the fields of neural and cognitive sciences, this book demonstrates how stories can exert influence and persuade audiences. Through step-by-step guidance, you will learn how to construct communications for impact, meaning, and accuracy. This practical guide is organized into four sequential parts: the neuroscience of words; the set of tools provided to each user; the influence of narratives in changing beliefs, attitudes, values, and behaviors; and the techniques needed for building powerful, influential, and effective (PIE) stories. This book will help you master the tools and critical skills of effective story-based communication.

Features

• Shows how to use the power of story to get your message across in any medium or venue
• Explores the convergence of the neural science of story with the art of communication to reveal the power of words
• Provides tips, techniques, and strategies for structuring your stories for the most impact
• Reveals the common communication pitfalls to avoid

The State Library also has the related book, Story Proof: The Science Behind the Startling Power of Story.

Story Proof (book)

Haven, K. (2007). Story proof: The science behind the startling power of story. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Like Stephen Krashen's important work in The Power of Reading, Story Proof collects and analyzes research that validates the importance of story, story reading, and storytelling to the brain development and education of children and adults. Accomplished researcher and storyteller Kendall Haven, establishes the need for understanding research findings in neural psychology and brain development and the value of a common definition if one is to fully grasp the importance and necessity of story to the development of the human mind. To support his case, he reviews a wealth of research from storytellers, teachers, and others who have experienced the power of story firsthand. The author has collected anecdotal experiences from over 100 performing storytellers and from 1,800 story practitioners (mostly teachers) who have made extensive use of stories. He has read more than 150 qualitative and quantitative research studies that discuss the effectiveness of stories and/or storytelling for one or more specific applications (education, organizational management, knowledge management, medical and narrative therapy, etc.). Forty of these studies were literature reviews and comparative studies including analysis of over 1,000 studies and descriptive articles. He has also gathered research evidence from his own story performances for total audiences of over 4 million and from conducting story writing workshops with 200,000 students and 40,000 teachers. The mind-boggling and extraordinary truth is that each and every one of these thousands of original sources agrees with the general premise that stories are effective. Story Proof" offers proof positive that stories work. (Book description)

The State Library also has the related title, Story Smart: Using the Science of Story to Persuade, Influence, Inspire, and Teach.

Is Consulting for You? A Primer for Information Professionals

Is Consulting for You? A Primer for Information Professionals. de Stricker, Ulla. Chicago, IL. American Library Association, 2008. 95pp.

From the cover:
Libraries choose to hire consultants for a variety of reasons, from filling the gaps when they need expertise or personnel to bringing their services and programs to the next level.

Librarians and information professionals possess a unique mix of skills that are well suited to consulting. Expert author Ulla de Stricker builds on this skill set to present a range of consulting activities from highly specialized, focused activities to broad, strategic efforts.

If you've ever considered becoming a consultant, this book will help you determine whether it's right for you and give you the tools to succeed. Seasoned consultants, library directors and trainers, and companies working with libraries will also gain inspiration from the wealth of ideas offered here.