About the Organisation of Library Consultants

OLC exists to strengthen library systems through consulting, training, documentation, and collaborative implementation.

Its published identity frames OLC as a not-for-profit initiative in Library and Information Science, with the mission: Connecting Consultants to the Libraries.

OLC documents two membership streams: Consultant and Service Provider (Institution/Individual).

Consultant progression is described through three levels: Consultant, Professional Consultant, and Senior Consultant, with defined appraisal mechanisms.

Libraries identify consultants, coordinate appointments through OLC forms, complete signed documentation, and submit post-service feedback.

Quality is reinforced through beneficiary ratings, testimonials, and review structures linked to ongoing membership standing.

The annual conference process, centered around the October cycle, is presented as a key platform for appraisal, renewal, and professional exchange.

OLC also describes board-level governance and secretariat-level coordination to support continuity and administration.

The inspiration for the Organisation of Library Consultants emerged during the ICLISCOM Conference, held at the DVK Central Library in Bangalore from October 18-20, 2014. The event, titled "Library Space and Content Management for a Networked Society," brought together library professionals who, through rich dialogue and collaboration, identified a clear need for an online directory of library consultants led by LIS experts.

In response to these insights, Dr. John Neelankavil CMI conceived the Organisation of Library Consultants (OLC) idea and took the initial step of registering the domain www.olc.org.in.

With strong support from fellow professionals, Dr. Neelankavil recognised the significance of creating a platform to connect libraries with qualified consultants and provide reliable information about consultancy opportunities.

Drawing from his extensive experience in library planning and consultancy and recognising the growing demand for such services across diverse institutions, he began to implement the concept systematically. After a period of dormancy, the initiative gained momentum as the need for specialised consultancy in the field of Library and Information Science (LIS) became increasingly urgent.

Dr Neelankavil collaborated closely with colleagues and professional peers to bring the vision to life. He enlisted the support of Mr Athul from Trivandrum and his team to develop an interactive website to facilitate meaningful connections between libraries and consultants.

Though OLC began informally, it has become a vibrant and functional platform. Dr. John Neelankavil CMI is widely acknowledged as the founder of the Organisation of Library Consultants. He is affectionately regarded by many as a pioneering figure in library consultancy.

You Can Help the OLC: There are 4 ways to help - 1) Being an efficient member, 2) Recommending a member, 3) Being a Patron, and 4) Promoting OLC.