Curtis Rogers Consulting, LLC

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Thankful for Community: The ALA Core Library Consulting Group

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Dr. Curtis Rogers

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This time of year always encourages reflection and gratitude—but honestly, this is something I’m thankful for all year long: the ALA Core Library Consulting Group.

Library consulting can be both rewarding and, at times, surprisingly solitary. Many consultants work independently, navigating projects, proposals, and professional questions without the daily support structure that comes with working in a library system. That’s why being part of the ALA Core Library Consulting Group has meant so much to me.

This group provides a welcoming and supportive space for experienced consultants and for librarians who are just beginning to think about consulting work. It’s a place where questions are encouraged, ideas are freely shared, and real-world experiences are discussed openly. Whether the topic is setting fees, managing client relationships, staying current with trends in librarianship, or simply figuring out how to get started, there’s always thoughtful insight to be found.

What I value most is the network of like-minded professionals. These are people who care deeply about libraries and bring a wide range of expertise—from buildings and space planning to leadership, marketing, technology, and staff development. The conversations help keep me grounded in what’s happening across the profession while also pushing me to think more creatively and strategically about my own consulting work.

Library consulting isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about listening, learning, and helping libraries find solutions that work for their communities. Being part of a professional group that embraces that mindset makes the work richer and more meaningful.

If you’re a library consultant, or if you’re considering moving into consulting, I genuinely encourage you to explore the ALA Core Library Consulting Group. The sense of collegiality, generosity, and shared purpose is something to be thankful for—this season and throughout the year.

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About the author

    Dr. Curtis Rogers is a library consultant who has worked in the library and information science field for over 35 years. He has worked at the Union (SC) Carnegie Library, and the Charleston County (SC) Public Library, and retired as the Communications Director of the South Carolina State Library. He has also taught courses at the University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, a Master of Library and Information Science, and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Carolina. In 2001, he completed the University of the Azores Summer Study Course in Azorean Portuguese Culture and Language and in 2002 completed the Certified Public Manager credential. In 2008, he was President of the SC Library Association. Rogers developed a national library survey on library use of social media for public relations and presented this survey’s results at the 2009 German Library Association Conference and at the State and University Library of Hamburg. He has served as secretary of the board of the Library Marketing and Communications Conference and as secretary of the SC Academy of Authors, as well as chair of the USC School of Library and Information Annual Literacy Leaders (ALL) Awards Committee. He has also served on the Friends of South Carolina Libraries (FOSCL) board and is a member of the ALA CORE Library Consultants group. He is a recipient of the 2015 F. William Summers Outstanding Alumni Award from the USC School of Library and Information Science.