OP
Ray and All,
In reading my original post, I realized that I had neglected to state that
I, too, work as an independent contractor, so consider this my compliance with
full disclosure. I should also mention that, as part of my M.L.S. work at
Drexel, I studied systems analysis and design, and am a fully qualified
consultant.
Having said that, I must also make it clear my quarrel here is not with
the use of independent contractors (good thing, or I'd talk myself out of
business), but with some of the practices of supposedly reputable consulting
firms. As to your question, Ray (quoted below) concerning Dick Sloane: yes,
there is a big difference. When the consultant is brought in, and it is made
clear, both to the library staff and the rest of the firm, that the consulting
may or will include recommendations on staffing, then there is no hidden
agenda; everything is on the table, and everyone knows it. From the posts I
have seen here so far, that was apparently not the case at B&M. And if the
consultant has vendor relationships, or is also in the business of providing
outsourcing services, and that is also not made clear to the client and to the
client's staff who may be directly affected by that consultant's
recommendations, then, as they say, it may be legal, but it sure as Hell ain't
ethical.
> I agree that it will hard to swallow if Peat Marwick consulted B&M for
> selfish reasons to get a library management client, but is this so very
> different from when Dick Sloane did quite a bit of consulting to law firms
> regarding their library, and included many staff changes? The key is who the
> contractors are using as law librarians, whether they are professional, etc.
> I find it hard to believe that a firm such as B&M did not have an in-house
> library staff that was not up to speed, but hey, you never know. As an
> independent, I have serviced law firms in the past on a temporary basis
> while they were between librarians, and did not pitch to bring us in to run
> their library. In using my best staff to meet their needs, I had an employee
> of mine snatched from under me. Although what this firm did was legally
> right, I found it to be morally wrong and refused to continue servicing
> their needs. They dangled consulting carrots, etc. in front of me, but I
> stood my ground and gave up the billable hours. My point is that we must put
> professionalism first. We do need to reserve decision on the B&M thing until
> we have all the facts, not rumors. I will gladly participate in AALL's
> investigation of this situation so long as it looks into this situation, and
> does not try and include all independents in a lump. I believe most
> independents come out of prior law firm library experience, which is the
> basis for the possibility of providing high quality service.
>
> Ray Jassin, President
> Law Library Management, Incorporated
> Huntington, NY
> 74055.1601@compuserve.com
Ann Davidson
adavidso@oyez.law.upenn.edu
Opinions expressed are mine, not those of my institution.
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