Our Story

Myka Kennedy Stephens standing on the seventh floor of the Stadtbibliothek Stuttgart overlooking the open atrium and four floors of library bookstacks.

Cultivating Openness, Purpose, and Balance

At Fosgail, we believe in the power of collaborative partnerships to navigate today’s challenging professional landscape. In the worlds we know intimately, resources are scarce while demands continue to grow. Professionals at all levels grapple with overwhelming workloads, struggling to keep pace with rapid change. We see the increasing importance of information curation, preservation, and access, even as libraries and other information providers face mounting threats.

Yet, in the face of these challenges, we’ve discovered hope. Rather than succumbing to frustration and paralysis, we’ve forged a path forward through reflective practice and creative problem-solving. By exploring the interconnectedness of systems and relationships, we’ve cut through the noise of competing demands to uncover wellsprings of inspiration. And we believe you can do the same.

A Founder’s Journey: From Library Director to Change Catalyst

The seeds of Fosgail were planted between 2018 and 2019, though it wouldn’t officially bloom until January 2023. As a library director at a small theological school, I found my ideal role—one that satisfied my broad skill set and insatiable curiosity. By disrupting the status quo and challenging conventions, I developed an innovative approach to strategic planning, integrating innovation into daily operations. Within a few years, the library had transformed from an outdated repository into an essential partner in our shared educational mission.

Sharing these experiences at professional conferences became a highlight of my career, connecting me with librarians worldwide. It was then that I realized our struggles were universal: dwindling resources, resistance to change, ineffective systems. As colleagues reached out for advice on system migrations and effective strategies, I began to envision a new role where I could equip and support librarians, professionals, and leaders in shaping a better future.

The Birth and Growth of Fosgail

In 2022, joined by my colleague Kelly Campbell, I embarked on creating a coaching and consulting firm designed to meet the unique needs of professionals navigating change. Rooted in our core value of openness, we established Fosgail as a benefit company dedicated to helping clients unlock new possibilities.

Since our official launch in 2023, we’ve resonated with a diverse clientele, from theological schools to a public library consortium. Through executive coaching, we’ve supported librarians, educators, advocates, non-profit professionals, and entrepreneurs. Our expertise has driven assessments, audits, system migration support, and community dialogue facilitation. We’ve even secured grant funding to develop and facilitate a cohort-based program for theological library leadership development.

Will Our Journeys Intersect?

Perhaps you stand at the threshold of something new—a changing role within your organization, or the start of a new position entirely. Maybe you’ve recognized that your current situation, or that of your organization, falls short of your aspirations. You might see systems failing, teams underperforming, or feel unfulfilled in your professional life.

Acknowledging this reality is the crucial first step. The next step, however, can be daunting. In an uncertain future, it’s tempting to wait for the perfect moment when everything aligns. But experience has taught us that such a moment rarely arrives. There comes a point in every journey when you must take that next step, even without knowing exactly where your foot will land.

This is where Fosgail comes in. We’ve been there ourselves, and we’ve guided countless others through similar terrain. You can trust us to take that step alongside you, opening new possibilities together. Remember, change may be challenging, but with the right support, it can also be profoundly rewarding. Let’s embark on this journey of transformation together.

Our mission is to collaborate with clients in ways that create safe space for reflection and curiosity, encourage strategic response, spark innovation, and open possibilities.

Fosgail combines creativity with care for individuals and communities to provide bespoke coaching and consulting services that respond to emerging needs. As experienced and visionary leaders in libraries, theological education, and higher education, we support a variety of clients across disciplines and sectors who seek to flourish amid change. Inspired by the meaning behind “fosgail” - a Scottish Gaelic word for “open” - we embrace openness in every aspect of our work. We understand that every client and every context is unique. Therefore, we tailor our services to suit you whatever the size or scale.

Our Core Values

Future Focused

Our forward-thinking philosophy is attuned to what the future may hold for our native industries: libraries, theological education, and higher education.

Open

We are deeply committed to the principles of open communication, the development and implementation of open-source software, and the open access movement.

Sustainable Practice

Growing concerns about mental health and the rise of burnout underscore that sustainable practices in our work life are essential.

Global Community

We contribute to and cultivate relationships and partnerships with individuals and organizations around the world.

Authenticity and Advocacy

We bring our authentic selves into every aspect of what we do. Raising awareness of the challenges faced by libraries, information centers, and similar resourcing organizations leads to positive change.

Inclusion, Innovation, and Integration

Organizations function best when everyone’s voice and perspective is valued, when new ideas are welcomed, and when systems, workflows, and processes are attuned to one another.