The Complete Guide to RFPs for Libraries
Ebook
Ebooks are designed for reading and have few connections to your library.
Overview
This comprehensive book covers the philosophy behind RFPs to prime readers to understand how to most effectively write them and provides instruction on navigating the submission process as it applies to multiple types of libraries.
For many years, only large academic and public libraries and a few library systems regularly used RFPs. Now, smaller schools, public libraries, and library systems use RFPs as tools to select vendors for computer equipment, online systems, databases, and materials. Library consortia frequently use RFPs to select databases and integrated library systems.
In this useful book, readers will learn more about the types and advantages of RFPs; the timelines and logistics for submitting RFPs; how to write different types of RFPs; how to evaluate vendor performance; the transfer process when a new vendor is selected; vendor perspectives; and RFP ethics. An appendix includes sample RFPs and evaluation materials, and a glossary defines language necessary to writing and understanding RFPs.
This book is essential reading for librarians who need to select vendors to provide library materials including books, serials, and media in all formats as well as for those who are choosing integrated library systems, security and inventory systems such as RFID, computer equipment and software, online and streaming materials such as books and music, or services such as digitization.
This comprehensive book covers the philosophy behind RFPs to prime readers to understand how to most effectively write them and provides instruction on navigating the submission process as it applies to multiple types of libraries.
Teaches readers how to acquire an appropriate product from a vendor at the lowest price
Provides practical examples of questions to use in various RFPs as well as lessons learned
Includes sample RFPs and evaluation materials
Incorporates perspectives of librarians and vendors with experience in various aspects of the RFP process
CONTENTS
Foreword
Katina Strauch
Preface
Introduction
PART I: OVERVIEW OF THE COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT PROCESS
Chapter 1: RFP Theory, Practice, and Planning
Frances C. Wilkinson and Sever Bordeianu
Chapter 2: Writing and Evaluating RFPs
Frances C. Wilkinson and Sever Bordeianu
PART II: WRITING AND EVALUATING SPECIFIC TYPES OF RFPS
Collections
Chapter 3: RFPs for Library Collections
Lee Sochay
Chapter 4: RFPs for Academic Library Collections: Selecting a Serial Vendor
Susanne K. Clement and Christine N. Sraha
Chapter 5: RFPs for Public Library Collections
Dana D. Vinke
Chapter 6: RFPs for School Library Collections
Shannon D. Pearce
Chapter 7: What? Wait a Minute, No, NO!-Not an RFP!!!
Anne E. McKee
Integrated Library Systems
Chapter 8: ILS RFPs for Academic Libraries and Academic Library Consortia
Lea Briggs
Case Study: PALNI Web Scale Review: A "Non-RFP" Process by Kirsten Leonard
Chapter 9: ILS RFPs for Public Libraries and Public Library Consortia
Christopher Holly
Case Study: Kitchener Public Library ILS RFP (LCCMS) by Mary Chevreau
Other RFPs for Libraries
Chapter 10: RFID Security and Inventory Systems: The RFQ
Catherine Jannik Downey
Chapter 11: Procuring Digitization Services for Library Collections
Kyle R. Rimkus
Chapter 12: Services for Emergency/Disaster Recovery
Edward Castillo-Padilla
Chapter 13: Words that Bind: Using the RFP Process to Select a Binder
Laura Kohl
PART III: VENDOR PERSPECTIVES AND ETHICS
Chapter 14: Vendors' Perspectives on Collections RFPs
Justin D. Clarke and Patricia M. Rodgers
Chapter 15: Librarian/Vendor Relationship
Stephen Bosch
Chapter 16: Vendors' Perspectives on Library System RFPs
Andrew K. Pace
Chapter 17: Ethics for the RFP Process
Sever Bordeianu and Frances C. Wilkinson
Glossary
About the Editors and Contributors
Index
This volume should be read by every library vendor and every librarian in the process of contracting for a large purchase for their organization.
- Title: The Complete Guide to RFPs for Libraries
- Authors: Katina Strauch, Frances C. Wilkinson, Sever Bordeianu
- Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
- Print Publication Date: 2018
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Pages: 328
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBN: 9798216064169
- Resource ID: LLS:9798216064169
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-04-22T15:39:24Z
Frances C. Wilkinson is senior associate dean and professor in the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences at the University of New Mexico. She is a recipient of the ALA-ALCTS Leadership in Library Acquisitions Award.
Sever Bordeianu is director of technical services, outreach librarian for philosophy/religion and foreign languages, and professor at the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences at the University of New Mexico.