Management Challenges for Independent Information Professionals: Independent information professional (IIP) is the term used to refer to special librarians who choose to have no specific work environment, and are able to pick and choose the type of work and client they want to engage with. Despite some stated benefits to working independently, compared to other types of special librarians, there are also many management challenges facing a solitary IIP. As the owner of their own business, many IIPs must learn how to manage a business by developing marketing plans and understanding the financial and legal system they need to work within. They must develop time management and project management strategies, and learn how how to navigate interactions with clients who are both their supervisor and customer. Through the support of associations like AIIP and many existing tools, techniques, and methodologies; IIPs are able to develop the management skills necessary to become successful independent information professionals.

Ashley Minnich began her MLIS journey at San Jose State University in the Spring of 2020, having previously graduated from Colorado State University Pueblo with a Bachelor of Science in biology. After pursuing positions on various research projects as an avian field biologist and serving as an administrative assistant at a non-profit arts organization for over four years, she spent a year as a Program and Outreach Specialist for a branch of the Pueblo City-County Library District in Colorado before moving into the position of Data Analyst & Technology Manager at Colorado State University Pueblo. She looks forward to transitioning into the role of Educational Technologist for the institution in September, 2022. Outside of work, Ashley can usually be found reading, performing in local musical theatre, or hiking 14ers in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.