Library, archives, museums and other cultural services

Tender description

The LB Sutton, on behalf of the London Libraries Consortium, is seeking a sea-change in the technological provision of online library services that will change public perception of libraries in the 21st century. Our aim is to establish a single supplier framework. In addition to replacing the current library management system, the driver behind this investment is to have a flexible platform that continuously enables new services and technology to be plugged in, thereby ensuring customers can always access the latest technology. A key driver is to increase and broaden public access to online services and for this to stimulate more physical visits to public libraries. Please note that the “London Library Consortium” is a convenient short form to describe those local authorities (and other organisations, if any) that presently utilise a common library management system that this procurement has been undertaken to replace. It is not an incorporated association. The London Libraries Consortium is seeking to establish a single supplier framework agreement for the provision of services to public libraries for 4 years commencing from April 2018. The supplier will implement a new library management system with the capacity to control stock procurement, stock circulation, fund management and library memberships and more across multiple local authorities concurrently. We anticipate that the lead supplier will work with leading technology companies to deliver new state of the art library services. The successful supplier must have experience in managing the seamless transfer of data from an existing system to the proposed system, across a London wide consortium. In the 1st year of the agreement this will entail the potential replacement of hardware and software and the on-going management of numerous 3rd parties that interact with the existing library management system. The supplier is also required to work in partnership with other companies to deliver a state of the art library services platform that enables member authorities to easily, plug-in or remove services, thereby combining the benefits of consortium connectivity with responsiveness to local needs. The successful supplier will be required to replace the existing library management system in accordance with a detailed specification, deliver timely staff training and, enable the system to go live simultaneously for all consortium members A key driver is to increase and broaden public access to online services and for this to stimulate more physical visits to public libraries. It is envisaged that tenders will take forward the ambition expressed in the report essential digital infrastructure for public libraries in England (2015), deploying middleware and open standards to maximise the platform's interoperability with new applications, at a scale suitable for the London Libraries Consortium The platform must act has a catalyst for promoting increased online social interaction between customers and partners, building the capacity for readers and learners to come together and engage more deeply with the information, services and collections offered by libraries. The new platform must enable customer to fully interact with library services through their mobile phones and other mobile devices and should revolutionise the current self-issue services, enabling customers to use mobile devices to self — issue for the borrowing of stock or to book attendance at an event or class. The platform should also facilitate single sign-on to other council services and offer improved business analytics, enabling libraries to improve operational efficiency. The supplier must be able to market and promote these new 21st century services in a high profile way so that the public have widespread awareness of these improvements. In particular the supplier must improve the online visibility of London's Public Libraries when the public is searching for books, classes or information services and attract sponsors and advertisers who wish to connect with the customers of London's Public Libraries Each consortium member is committing up to 50 000 GBP per annum for the delivery, development and maintenance of the service plus 1 off transfer costs. Please note that call off by all the consortium members cannot be guaranteed. A maximum anticipated spend is 10 000 000 GBP (UK sterling) however this maximum spend cannot be guaranteed and is dependent on take up. The estimated value of the contract will be between 3 000 000 GBP — 10 000 000 GBP. To achieve a value in excess of 3 000 000 GBP will require new authorities to join the existing 17 members of the London Libraries Consortium, in purchasing services through the framework agreement.