Library management system

Tender description

The University's Library Management System is an essential technology framework which the library depends upon to support daily operations and deliver content and services to staff, students and other library users. The existing core system is based on Capita's (formerly Talis) Alto service, alongside a combination of Capita's Prism and EBSCO's Discovery Service for catalogue access and search. We do not currently have an electronic resource management (ERM) product. The Capita/Talis system has been in place for over 10 years, with a number of customised integrations and enhancements, for example to work seamlessly with the library's 3 000 000 machines for automated issue and return, which have been implemented over time to meet the University's needs. The University is seeking to adopt a Unified Library Management System to exploit new technologies being offered; to maximise potential efficiencies in work-flows and processes; to ensure rapid, seamless delivery and value for money; to enhance the student's learning experience; and free up resources to meet new University information needs. The Library environment has significantly changed over the past decade as the needs and expectations of its increasingly digital-native student population evolve. Although we do not expect print and hard-copy collections to disappear, there is no doubt the balance of electronic vs print will continue to shift toward the digital. The University is therefore seeking to acquire a system which will continue to support this shift, effectively manage its e-resources including meta-data and licenses and support a high quality service provision to staff, students and other library users. In doing so the key aim is to create more efficient processes and work-flows, and by making these efficiencies ensure services are delivered in a seamless, timely and effective manner and further improve ease of use and accessibility to information. General Requirements The successful contractor/s will be required to work within the University's policies and practices and will be required to enter into a formal contract with the University for the provision of a Library Management system for a period of 36 months from the 1.8.2017, with an option for a further 2 12-month extensions subject to satisfactory performance review after each 12 month period. The contract will be based on the University's standard terms and conditions (as attached to Appendix 5 of this Invitation to Tender) but subject to final clarifications with the successful contractor. Final clarifications will be limited to advising which of the three sets of terms are most appropriate as this will depend on the solution chosen. Major amendments will not be permissible (e.g. changes to liability). This Tender Specification, the chosen terms and the University's written acceptance thereof, will be used to form an agreement with the successful contractor. Please also be aware that, given funding limitations, it may be possible that the University decides to only contract for part of the support outlined in this Invitation to Tender.