Bid number (for EG use) | |
Lead bidder | Elaine Fulton
Director
Scottish Library and Information Council
1 st Floor, Building C
Brandon Gate
Leechlee Road
HAMILTON, ML3 6AU
Phone: 01698 458888
Fax: 01698 283170 |
Brief description of the aims of the project | - Establish a national procurement framework library resources across all sectors
- Develop embryonic services with secure infrastructure to allow longer term cost savings and resource sharing.
- Enable seamless access to the resources of Scotland to users whether they are in Dingwall or Dumfries
- Maximise discounts on library resources across all sectors for reinvestment
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Clear description of what the EGF money would be used to buy | - Electronic materials
- Software
- Hardware
- Staff to develop Scottish Information Environment
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Partners to the project likely to commit resources | SLIC, National Library of Scotland, Local authority library services, University library services, Colleges, National Grid for Learning, Learning and Teaching Scotland, Local Authority Education Departments, Scottish Higher and Further Education Funding Councils |
Names of other organisations with whom the project has been discussed (to assist the introductions process) | National Library of Scotland Heads of Public Library Services Heads of School Library Services Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries |
Evidence that suggested approach has been deployed successfully elsewhere | A number of work packages on 2 strands - procurement and IT services. Evidence from public library sector that National approaches can secure significant discount. Discounts from 20 -70% depending on product and supplier Added value was provided by remote access and in all libraries. Similar practice in other countries - Scandinavia and New Zealand Scotland has a number of electronic information services which have been piloted, scaleable and proven to work. What is now required is an agreed sustainable model supporting national information provision in line with agreed standards to improve public service delivery. |
Are there any restrictions to potential for enlargement of the project ( i.e. technology, number of partners etc) | The two strands are inter-related if the IT core is not developed, it will be almost impossible to secure the savings in procurement, deliver change and provide more seamless access to the users. Some of the services could be expanded to museums and archives. |
Benefits projected from the project | - Savings to reinvest in front line services
- Effective IT infrastructure to support collaborative projects
- Equity in provision of electronic services
- Integrated seamless and interactive information service delivery
- Administration reduced and time diverted to value added services
- Efficient digital asset management
- 24/7 access for users
- Extension of procurement framework for other resources, including print and hardware.
- Gradually influence publishing models, with the influence of different packages and institutional archiving.
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Estimated financial projections | Total | 2005/6 | 2006/7 | 2007/8 | 2008/9 |
Overall project cost * explained in covering letter | £8.m | £1.5m | £2.5m | £2.5m | £1.5m |
Estimated projected benefits | 15% overall including value added | 0% | 7% | 15% | 15% |
Is a pilot required - see guidance notes | Possibly - in some areas of the proposed work packages. SLIC and other organisations have carried out research and pilots, some of which are on going |
Additionally: why is EG funding required | One of the key issues for library services is the availability of development funding for 21 st century services. . There is no funding to divert from front line service delivery to develop a national approach with inbuilt sustainability. Library sector is able to do this but investment is required at the centre to kick start savings in organisations and institutions. EG funding would provide a focus for delivering services effectively and differently. |
Is this project complementary in anyway to other EG work | Open Scotland SMARTCARD Shared back office Modernising Service Delivery |
Is "stage 2 development funding" requested? | YES |