The Complete Guide to RFPs for Libraries. Frances C. Wilkinson and Sever Bordeianu, eds. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, an Imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2018. 299p. Paper $60.00 (ISBN: 978-1440859397).

Abstract

Purchasing resources and services for libraries has never been as straightforward as one would hope. An increasing number of necessary resources and services now come in an electronic format over networks and software platforms being managed by several different players, requiring careful negotiation of responsibilities and levels of performance. While vendors can use economies of scale to provide these services at a more reasonable price than a purchaser going it alone, budgets are ever tighter and being scrutinized more closely by governing boards. Thus, libraries face enormous pressure to be very deliberate about purchases. The Complete Guide to RFPs for Libraries seeks to help library staff successfully navigate some of the issues involved in acquiring a new big-ticket product or service.