Not sure if consulting is right for you? Start with our self-assessment tool or DIY decision guide to figure out what you actually need.
I work with library directors, IT teams, and boards on the problems that vendors won't solve for you. Not because they're incompetent - because solving them wouldn't make them money. After two decades watching both sides, I know what those problems are. And I know how to fix them without a sales pitch attached.
Ideal Client Profile
I'm most effective with mid-size public libraries (25K-100K patrons), library consortiums, and academic libraries facing vendor transitions or governance challenges. If this describes your situation, let's talk.
Good Fit If You're...
- A public library or consortium with 25K-100K patrons dealing with vendor contracts you don't fully understand
- Planning to extract data or move away from a vendor that's become too expensive
- Building AI governance or compliance frameworks from scratch
- Implementing new tools and need staff training that actually works
- Facing board questions about vendor relationships or technology decisions
- Suspicious that you're getting the short end of vendor negotiations
Better Referred If You're...
- A very small library (under 25K patrons) with a tight budget - you need a tech consultant, not a contract negotiator
- Looking for hands-on ILS migration support (you need a systems integrator, not a strategist)
- Seeking vendor selection from someone who profits from recommendations (I don't do that)
- Needing ongoing IT operations support (different skill set than strategy and governance)
Who This Is For
- Library directors and IT staff struggling with vendor relationships that don't feel like partnerships
- Libraries trying to understand what the EU AI Act, Colorado AI Act, and CCPA actually mean for their operations
- Libraries negotiating contracts or planning transitions away from vendors that no longer work
- Teams building data governance frameworks or AI compliance policies from scratch
- Anyone who needs someone in the room who isn't selling them something
Services Offered
Vendor Contract Review & Negotiation
I've sat through the meetings where vendors set their terms. I know what's actually negotiable, what's standard bullshit, and what's worth fighting for. I'll review your contract, flag the dangerous clauses, and help you rewrite them or walk away.
AI Governance & Compliance
Your vendor is telling you their AI tool is compliant. With what? I help you build frameworks for AI risk, privacy, and governance. Whether it's GDPR, CCPA, the Colorado AI Act, or just "we don't want to accidentally discriminate against our patrons," we'll figure out what you actually need.
Data Extraction & Vendor Independence
Getting your data back shouldn't feel like ransoming your own files. I'll help you plan extraction strategies, assess what's actually portable, and build a roadmap to independence from a vendor that's holding your data hostage.
Staff Training & Change Management
You're implementing a new tool. Your vendors haven't trained your staff. Or worse, they trained them wrong. I'll build training programs that actually work for your people and prepare teams for vendor changes or AI tools without the corporate training-video energy.
Custom Research & Policy Briefs
You need deep expertise on a specific problem - emerging library tech issues, vendor trends, regulatory changes, or internal policy decisions. I do custom research and write policy briefs that translate complexity into clear recommendations your board will understand.
Strategic Vendor Evaluation
Before you sign a three-year contract, you need someone who knows what questions to ask and what answers to be suspicious of. I'll help you evaluate new vendors, compare options, or get a second opinion on a decision you're about to make.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: The Math
Most libraries hesitate about consulting costs without running the numbers. Here's what a typical contract review engagement looks like:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 40-hour contract review engagement | $6,000 |
| Typical value identified (range) | $25,000 - $75,000 |
| Potential payback period | 3-6 months |
| Results vary based on | Contract complexity, vendor flexibility, organizational capacity |
These examples show typical engagement economics, but your specific results will depend on your contract complexity, vendor flexibility, and negotiating circumstances. Consult with your own financial and legal advisors to assess value for your situation.
Without independent review, libraries risk multi-year vendor contracts with unfavorable terms and missed negotiation opportunities. The cost of these missed opportunities often exceeds consulting expenses, but results vary based on your specific situation.
Pricing Models
I keep pricing transparent because you shouldn't have to guess what something costs. Choose what works for your situation:
Hourly Consulting
$150/hour
Best for: Contract review, specific questions, one-off problems, or trial engagements
- Flexible scope
- Pay as you go
- No minimum
Project-Based
Negotiated
Best for: Full contract reviews, training programs, governance frameworks, vendor evaluations
- Fixed scope & price
- Deliverables defined upfront
- Typically 20-60 hours
Retainer
$1,000-2,500/month
Best for: Ongoing strategic support, vendor relationship management, or multiple initiatives
- Dedicated availability
- Flexible allocation
- Ongoing advice as issues arise
Board Presentation Template
One of the hardest parts of hiring a consultant isn't the decision itself - it's explaining it to your board. Here's a template that works:
Problem Statement
We have committed [X years] to our current vendor contract with [Vendor Name]. Our IT team and leadership have concerns about [contract terms / AI governance gaps / data portability / staff readiness]. We need expert review before renewal or transition.
Recommended Solution
Engage an independent consultant for [scope: contract review / governance framework / transition planning / staff training]. The consultant will:
- Conduct objective analysis of our current situation
- Identify risks and opportunities we may have missed
- Provide actionable recommendations with cost-benefit analysis
- Document findings for board and staff
Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Consulting cost: $[amount for your engagement]
- Expected value identified: $[amount, typically 4-12x the consulting fee]
- Payback period: [3-6 months typical]
- Risk mitigation: Prevents [2-3x cost overruns / regulatory non-compliance / vendor lock-in / etc.]
Board Talking Points
"This isn't about doubting our team. It's about getting an outside expert perspective on a 6-figure vendor relationship. The cost is [X]; the value identified is typically [4-12x that]. That's a smart investment in governance and risk management."
"We'd be making this decision anyway. The question is whether we make it informed or uninformed. An independent review ensures we're not leaving money on the table or exposing ourselves to preventable risks."
"Every library this size should have objective contract review and governance frameworks. This engagement gives us that institutional knowledge."
Approval Language
The board approves engagement of [Consultant Name] for [scope], not to exceed $[amount], with deliverables and timeline to be defined in writing. The consultant will report findings to the board by [date].
That's it. Most boards approve these engagements because they understand that outside expertise on major vendor decisions isn't a luxury - it's due diligence. You're protecting institutional assets and making better decisions. Frame it that way.
Not Sure What You Need?
Let's talk for 30 minutes for free. No pitch, no obligation. Just an honest conversation about what you're dealing with and whether I can actually help. Get in touch here, or email me directly at sam@unhingedlibrarian.com.
Why Hire Sam
20 years in library tech across real contracts, renewals, and vendor transitions.
Independent guidance: no commissions, no sponsored recommendations, no vendor kickbacks.
Board-ready outputs that help you justify decisions with clear risk + cost framing.
Examples (anonymized): mid-size public library contract renewal; consortium vendor transition planning; AI governance briefing for leadership + board.
Past talks and workshops: /speaking/
What clients say (anonymized):
- “You translated vendor language into something our board could actually evaluate.”
- “We finally had a clear list of what to push back on before renewal.”
- “This saved us weeks of internal debate and reduced risk we didn’t realize we had.”
- 20 years of insider knowledge I've been on both sides of the vendor relationship. I know how these companies think and what they won't tell you.
- No vendor relationships I don't get commissions for recommending products. No sponsored content. No conflicts of interest. You're getting my honest opinion, not a sales pitch.
- I write about this stuff My articles on library technology, contracts, and vendor relationships have reached thousands of professionals. I'm not making this up - I'm translating real experience.
- I know what libraries actually deal with Public libraries, academic libraries, law libraries. Different problems, same vendors. I understand your budget constraints, your governance structures, and the political reality of board decisions.
- I know what's actually negotiable Most library directors don't realize what they can push back on. I'll tell you where vendors have flexibility and where they're bluffing.
How This Works
First, you reach out. We set up a call to talk about what you're dealing with. I ask questions. You tell me whether hiring me makes sense. If it does, we agree on scope and pricing, and we get to work.
Depending on the engagement, that might look like reviewing contracts, building a training program, running workshops, writing a policy brief, or just being in the room when you're making big vendor decisions. I work on your timeline, not some arbitrary project deadline.
And if I can't help - if you need a different kind of expertise - I'll tell you that too. I'd rather give you a good referral than take on work I'm not right for.
Let's Talk
Have a vendor horror story you need advice on? Planning a contract negotiation? Building an AI governance framework? Implementing a vendor transition? Reach out here, and let's see if we're a fit.
First 30-minute call is free. No strings attached.