BC ELN is seeking a consultant or consultancy to conduct its shared library services platforms (LSP) feasibility study. View the full Request for Proposals [1].

Project Background and Goals

The purpose of the feasibility study is to provide the BC ELN community with the evidence and analysis needed to determine whether a coordinated approach to shared LSP is a viable, beneficial, and sustainable option for BC post-secondary libraries. The study will consider both the potential advantages of shared infrastructure and the associated risks and challenges, with particular attention to institutional diversity, autonomy, and privacy requirements. 

Currently, the 35 BC ELN post-secondary institutions (PSIs) each use one of approximately 8 LSP to deliver services to their students and researchers. This fragmentation results in an inconsistent user experience across PSIs, inefficient and redundant delivery of shared information resources, and siloed contractual relationships with LSP vendors. A coordinated approach to shared LSP for BC post-secondary institutions will mitigate and, in many cases, eliminate these inefficiencies and better support the priorities of BC’s Post-secondary Digital Learning Strategy, particularly enhancing digital equity and reducing the costs related to digital technologies across B.C.’s post-secondary system. 

BC ELN has developed governance groups to carry forward a shared LSP feasibility study. The Shared LSP Leadership and Advisory Group [2]’s purpose is to lead the study and ultimately make a recommendation to the BC ELN Steering Committee on the feasibility of moving forward with a coordinated approach to shared LSP through BC ELN. The Feasibility Study Resource Group is composed of library practitioners and subject-matter experts who will work alongside a consultant to ensure that the feasibility study findings are grounded in the operational realities, sector context, and diverse needs of BC ELN partner libraries. 

Application deadline

Proposal requirements are outlined in the Request for Proposals [1].

Proposals are due by September 25, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. 

Please submit proposals to office@bceln.ca [3], quoting ‘RFP# 2026-001 Shared LSP Feasibility Study’ in the subject line. 

Questions can be submitted via email to the BC ELN Office (office@bceln.ca [3]). BC ELN reserves the right to seek clarification on any proposal submitted by a proponent to assist in making its evaluation, without notifying any other proponent of such. BC ELN reserves the right to not award the contract.