22 January 2001

Dear

Proposed study of collaborative storage of library resources

I am writing on behalf of the British Library/Higher Education Task Force, which wishes to commission desk research reviewing past and present arrangements for collaborative storage of library resources, both in the UK and abroad. This would be an investigation of the physical options, rather than of digital storage. It is expected that the study will inform the programme of work that the new Strategic Advisory Group on Research Libraries might wish to undertake.

The study will involve a comprehensive review of the professional literature and it is expected that a range of key stakeholders will be contacted by telephone or e-mail to elicit up-to-date information

The deliverable will be a report that is suitable for circulation to the higher education community, the British Library, and to other interested stakeholders. A draft of the report must be submitted for review by the funder within 10 weeks of the award of the contract. It should be amended, if necessary, in the light of the reviewers' comments. The Higher Education Funding Bodies and the British Library will jointly own copyright in the report. The report must also be made available to the sponsors in electronic form suitable for Web publication.

This work is being put out to limited tender, and we should like to invite your organisation to submit a proposal. The maximum value of the contract is expected to be no more than £5,000 (excluding VAT).

Bids should be no longer than three sides of A4 in length. CVs of the staff carrying out the work should be attached to the submission.

Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Demonstration of understanding of the issues relating to collaborative storage of library resources

2. Suggested approach to carrying out the work

3. Qualifications and experience of staff involved

4. Value for money

The deadline for submission of bids is 5pm on Thursday 8 February. Five copies (hard copy) of each bid should be sent to Ronald Milne, Director, Research Support Libraries Programme, University Library, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9LJ. Enquiries may be addressed to Mr Milne (telephone: 0131 651 1494; e-mail: ronald.milne@ed.ac.uk), or to Mr Geoff Smith, Director of the British Library's Co-operation and Partnership Programme (telephone: 0207 412 7584; e-mail: geoff.smith@bl.uk).

Interviews will take place in London on 23 February 2001.

Yours sincerely

Ronald Milne
RSLP Programme Director