18 years on both sides of the table
When the guides aren't enough, I get in the room with you.
Most of what you need is free on this site. But sometimes you're staring at an 80-page contract, your board meeting is next week, and you need someone who\'s actually managed these renewals from inside. That's where I come in.
What I help with
- Contract audits. I read the whole thing. Red flags, hidden costs, exit clauses, renegotiation language.
- AI governance. Decision frameworks, custom policy, liability assessment, board-ready presentations.
- Vendor evaluation. Cut through identical pitches. I know what questions break the sales deck.
- Vendor migration. Exit planning, real cost modeling, data extraction strategy.
- Board briefings. Cost trends, risk framing, and recommendations your board can actually vote on.
- Technology strategy. Build vs. buy, open-source evaluation, multi-year roadmaps that don't lock you in.
How it works
1. Free 30-minute call
Tell me what\'s happening. I\'ll tell you if consulting makes sense or if the free resources will get you there.
2. Scope and quote
If we move forward, you get a clear scope, timeline, and fee. No surprises. No retainers.
3. Focused engagement
We work async with check-in calls. You get deliverables in writing. Everything I produce is yours to keep and share.
Why this is different
- No vendor kickbacks. I don't make money recommending software.
- You own the output. No NDAs. No licensing restrictions. Share it, adapt it.
- Honest boundaries. If I can\'t help, I\'ll say so and refer you to someone who can.
- Insider knowledge. I\'ve been on all sides of these systems. I know how they\'re designed to trap you because I helped design some of them.
Common questions
You probably don\'t, yet. Start with the reading path and contract checklist. If you hit a wall, need someone in the board meeting, or have a hard deadline and no bandwidth, that\'s when consulting makes sense. The free 30-minute call exists to figure this out together.
Probably. I've worked with OverDrive, Baker & Taylor, CollectionHQ, Axis360, and dozens more. Vendor lock-in follows the same patterns regardless of the company name.
Use the free resources. The reading path, contract checklist, and resource guides handle 80% of situations. Consulting is for the other 20%.
Yes. Consortiums have leverage that individual libraries don\'t. Reach out and we\'ll talk through the specifics.
Contract audits: 1-2 weeks. Board briefings: 1-2 weeks. AI governance: 2-4 weeks. Technology strategy: 3-6 weeks.
Need training instead?
If you need a workshop, conference talk, or staff training on vendor contracts, AI governance, or library tech strategy, see speaking & training.
Ready to talk?
Tell me what you're dealing with. No commitment, no pitch. If consulting makes sense, we\'ll scope it. If the free resources will get you there, I'll point you to the right ones.
Schedule a free call