Testimonials

Here are a few nice comments

The Ocean County Library began a five-year strategic planning process in the summer of 2012 centered on providing library services that were both innovative and responsive to the needs of our residents. Shortly after our process began, the library faced New Jersey’s largest natural disaster in a hundred years: Superstorm Sandy. As we worked to serve our communities in the aftermath of the storm and reopen our branches in 2012 – 2013, we also continued to work on and complete the library’s strategic plan for 2013 -2017 with Library Development Solutions. Leslie and Alan Burger’s expertise in change management was helpful in keeping us focused on planning for the future needs of the library while we were dealing with a very challenging present day situation. The Ocean County Library Strategic Plan 2013 – 2017 has helped us meet the needs of our community and redefined our mission of “Connecting People, Building Community, Transforming Lives.”

Susan Quinn

Library Director, Ocean County Library, New Jersey

“Leslie Burger and Alan Burger were a privilege to work with. They brought knowledge, experience, and creativity to our strategic planning process. They navigated the intricacies of board, staff and community relationships all while facilitating discussions that were innovative and positive. I found them to be extremely knowledgeable of library functions and to be forward thinking without giving in to “fads.” They kept me and the Planning Committee informed and involved through all stages of the process, handling as much of the leg work as possible and giving specific advice and instructions for the portions that needed to be done in-house. We left the process with a dynamic strategic plan that was inspirational yet had clear steps towards achievable goals. Outside of their work on the strategic plan, Leslie and Alan both took additional time to offer me invaluable guidance and mentorship. I cannot recommend them highly enough.”

Amy Babcock-Landry

Library Director, Livingston Public Library, New Jersey

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Leslie and Alan Burger of Library Development Solutions in the development of our library’s Long Range Strategic Plan. Our library had been without a Strategic Plan for a number of years and efforts to develop one had stalled. Leslie and Alan guided us through the process and helped us to gather a good deal of community input – much more than we thought we would get and all of it enlightening and inspiring! They provided extra support, guidance, and mentorship along the way. The resulting plan is uniquely ours and will position us to meet and anticipate the needs of our community in the coming years.

Karen LaRocca-Fels

Director, Ossining Public Library, New York

I am confident that our library would not have achieved the enormous level of success it has in our community without guidance and support from Library Development Solutions over the years.

I have been a librarian for over thirty five years and have worked with countless professional library consultants. I can say without reservation that Alan and Leslie Burger are without equal in their field. They are passionate and compassionate people who are committed to respecting and working with others to solve problems and create lasting change.

Rosemary Cooper

Former Director, Albert Wisner Public Library-Warwick, New York - The Best Small Library in America 2016

Avalon Free Public Library has been rated a Library Journal “Five Star” for several years. A critical ingredient to our initial success was the development of a strategic plan that incorporated community needs, best practices and innovation. Library Development Solutions helped us understand the unique character of our community, and what services and resources best fit the special needs of our patrons. Alan Burger and Leslie Burger brought to the strategic planning process a wealth of experience with public libraries, knowledge of current trends and issues, and an appreciation of emerging technologies. Our strategic thinking benefitted from their advice. The resulting strategic plan (and subsequent updates) positioned the library for success that has been recognized nationally, but more importantly, success in the eyes of our patrons.

Norman Gluckman

Former Director, Avalon Free Public Library, New Jersey, 5 STAR LIBRARY

Leslie and Alan Burger continue to provide us with guidance and experience that cannot be found anywhere else. Their library acumen has spared us from wasted time and steps and have provided practicality and reality few of us possessed. Answers and tips come quickly providing much needed direction and persistence to go forward with our capital campaign.

Ethan Aronow

President Board of Trustees, Millville Public Library, New Jersey

The American Library in Paris has benefited for eight years from Leslie Burger’s renowned expertise as a consultant. On periodic visits to Paris, and in conversations year-round, she has advised us on institutional management, collection development, electronic resources, staffing, board relations, fundraising, programming, and facilities renovation. Her interventions are marked by common sense, creativity, excellent listening skills, and practical solutions to library challenges drawing on decades of experience and a wide knowledge of libraries of all sizes. I would recommend the services of Library Development Solutions unreservedly and enthusiastically.

Charles Trueheart

Former Director, The American Library in Paris

We chose well! The Trumbull Library Board of Trustees and library staff found working with Alan and Leslie Burger a delight. They used their considerable combined talents to guide the strategic planning process from committee formation through the various steps by being good listeners and facilitators.

They produced a clear, workable document which reflects the Trumbull community’s thinking and hopes about its library which will serve as a blueprint to guide the Library board, administration and staff in moving the library forward over the next three years.

Susan J. Horton

Former Director, Trumbull Library System, Connecticut

Thanks to the advice and guidance provided by Library Development Solutions the $6.9 million bond to finance the renovation and expansion of the Moffat Library of Washingtonville was overwhelmingly approved. Alan Burger helped us develop a plan to explain our project, connect to our natural constituency, and bring them out to vote ‘YES’.

Ruth Manyin

Trustee, Moffat Library, Washingtonville, New York

Alan and Leslie Burger conducted a needs assessment, building program, community survey and led focus groups for the Haddonfield Public Library. They helped to lay the foundation for an expansion and renovation of the library which was completed in Sept. 2016. The Burgers work well with the community, offering vision, professionalism, and creative ideas to enhance the planning process. It was a great pleasure to work with the talented Burgers.

Susan Briant

Former Director, Past President NJLA, Haddonfield Public Library, New Jersey

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