… buyers of cloud-computing services must take account of the dangers of lock-in, and favour service providers who allow them to move data in and out of their systems without too much hassle. This will push providers to compete on openness from the outset …

“Unlocking the Cloud,”
Economist, May 30, 2009 p.18

W. David Penniman, Nylink Executive Director

Today, library directors and staff are faced with a myriad of challenges and decisions. Sometimes, all available choices are not obvious, nor are the full consequences of choices that seem attractive at the outset. Unintended consequences can cost time and money. What choices are available and what costs and benefits are likely to accrue from these choices?

In tight economic times, the real pinch comes when choices are limited and a library must face elimination of services, or reallocation of resources in a way that conflicts with the library’s mission. Just as the quote above this column indicates, some choices may have inherent, and not so obvious, risks. This is where a forwardfacing and experienced library consultant (say one with over 285 years of experience), who also knows you and your library’s history personally, can uncover choices in surprising places, and can help in evaluating solutions, including the attendant risks and benefits of collateral consequences.

Where in the world could one find a consultant with knowledge of clients on a personal and professional basis, and with over 285 years of experience in assisting clients in making good decisions? You have probably already guessed the answer. The professional staff at Nylink have at least that much collective experience in serving libraries and library users. Included in this experience are over 70 years of information technology work and 30 years of administrative and financial experience as well. While there may be larger organizations capable of summing up collective professional experience just as I did to come up with similar numbers, none can make the other part of my claim, i.e. knowing our member libraries and librarians across all regions of New York on a personal basis, and understanding their specific needs and conditions.

Throughout the history of Nylink, the personal relationships built with the staff of member libraries have allowed us to respond appropriately and pointedly to specific needs. Our knowledge of these needs coupled with our understanding of evolving library processes represents a powerful resource for libraries seeking choices and solutions.

When it comes to finding solutions to today’s challenges, whether it is “in the clouds” or “on the ground,” ask someone who knows your institution and knows how to help you implement new ideas – ask Nylink.

Resident Nylink ILL expert Jon Penn, in reviewing ILL subscription renewal pricing
for Nylink members and affiliates, noticed that something wasn’t adding up. He and
other staff collated last year’s actual ILL use and compared those numbers to renewal
rates. In about fifty cases, renewal pricing, which is automatic, was higher than what
libraries should be paying. Taking the initiative, Jon appealed the renewal pricing for
those members, winning reductions for the majority of them on their 2009-2010 rates.
That’s just one example of Nylink Professional Solutions.