1. What is Consulting Services?
Our approach to supporting the needs of the scholarly community
Allen Sprague
bepress Consulting Services 1

2. The solutions we promise
You don’t need a developer
You don’t need to be the expert
We provide unlimited help

3. Terri Fishel, Library Director, Macalester College
“If all the vendors we worked with had the type of service orientation that bepress technical support staff have, we would have no problems.”
Terri Fishel, Library Director, Macalester College

4. Beyond tech support We act as… Reference librarians Researchers
Advisors

5. Our success depends on how we define our role in your projects

6. conduct reference interviews.
Consultant as reference librarian
Gather Information
Welcome
Confirm the question
Consultants every day
conduct reference interviews.
Provide intervention
Give and get feedback

7. Reference scenarios Why won’t my issue publish?
Does DC integrate with…?
So I have these materials from…

8. How is the reference interview possible?
Team structure
Hiring from the community
Codified training process

9. As researchers, consultants…
Investigate advanced requests
Test new system features
Collaborate with others
Keep aware of trends in scholarly communication and publishing

10. How are we able to research?
Manageable client to consultant ratio
Rigorous internal and external documentation
Feature expert groups

11. Consultants as advisors…
Provide initial and ongoing training
Train editors, conference organizers, and others
Draw on extensive experience
Connect managers with the community

12. How are we able to advise?
Unlimited support model
Manageable client to consultant ratio
Team structure 12

13. But don’t just ask me. Let’s ask CS!
Jenny says:
“I feel like my role is to facilitate the client’s vision.”
Benny says:
“We can advise repository administrators on what has worked in the past.”
Dave says:
“We act as a guide and reference point for projects.”
But don’t just ask me. Let’s ask CS!
Aurora says:
“I feel like sometimes I'm part cheerleader, part mechanic. Put a greasy wrench in one hand, a pompom in the other.” 13

14. - architect and/or structural engineer - advisor/counselor
Jessica says:
“We work together easily and have all learned from each other so that we are equipped to wear a variety of hats to support
our clients, like:
- repository wilderness guide/teacher
- architect and/or structural engineer
- advisor/counselor
- detective - magician”
See previous

15. Questions? Contact Consulting Services at 510-665-1200, ext. 2
or at
BRAVO, ALLEN!