Library software package

Tender description

The four Chief Executives of the Black Country agreed that a work stream relating to libraries should be developed which in broad terms will: Reduce the cost of management and overheads in line with budgetary constraints Redesign services to strip out duplication and unnecessary cost Reduce the cost of services procured Improve the quality and breadth of library services Ensure libraries are at the heart of their communities with services developed for the whole community not just those who can visit library buildings In order to facilitate this, a number of specific work streams have been established — one of which is the procurement of a shared joint Library Management System (LMS) (and single library card) for the Black Country. The LMS work stream objectives are: To procure a shared LMS for the Black Country with a staged implementation process To provide a platform that will develop to improve the functionality of the system and meet future changes, including (but not limited to) a single library card and links with other systems To ensure interoperability with key systems used across the Black Country To enable the Black Country to deliver efficiencies in use of staff and deployment of stock To enable the Black Country to improve service accessibility by providing self-service, automation and new access channels (e.g. e-mail, texting) for customers To enable the Black Country to deliver the service from a wide variety of locations including non-library buildings and unstaffed sites using self-service technology To safeguard and manage data to meet each of the authorities' audit requirements The scope of works will include: To provide OPAC, cataloguing, acquisitions, circulation, cash management, and management information modules and any other modules to be agreed, to provide an efficient library service to our customers. To work with the four authorities and their Council's I.T. strategic partners during the installation and configuration of the system. To work with the four library authorities and their partners to ensure the system meets their needs. To import data from existing systems and manipulate the data into an appropriate format for the LMS. To maintain the library system software and provide support as appropriate. To work with the Black Country to automate and re-engineer some key business processes, and train library staff to use the system efficiently. To work with the Black Country to ensure the OPAC offers more personalised services and contacts, and access to additional information and services, e.g., integration of eBooks. To provide interoperability with the various PC booking systems for validation; export of stock data to stock management tool such as Collection HQ, and exchange of financial data with the four council's remote payment systems for online payments — please see the end of this document for a list of current linked systems. To provide interoperability with Axiell CALM (archives catalogue), the various council's finance and CRM systems as a minimum — please see the end of this document for a list of current linked systems. To provide a system that will allow for each service/authority to keep customer, stock, OPAC and transactional data separate from the other authorities until an agreed means of sharing the system has been established. Integrating Dudley Schools Library Service into the Dudley Public Library Service as a separate branch. Integrating Walsall Schools Library Service into the Walsall Public Library Service as a separate branch. To go live in Dudley and Wolverhampton by August 2017. This Invitation to Tender for the provision of a shared, totally managed and hosted LMS for all four Authorities is issued by Wolverhampton City Council acting on behalf of Black Country Libraries in Partnership The proposed framework Agreement is for a period of 5 years with the option to extend for 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 years up to a potential maximum period of 10 years.