Delivery and Materials Handling Assessment
Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to conduct a focused assessment of the physical delivery and material handling workflows that support resource sharing among libraries using SELCO’s shared Integrated Library System (ILS) and delivery services.
The purpose of this project is to identify practical, evidence-based opportunities to improve delivery turnaround time, consistency, and overall service to patrons by examining workflows across the delivery lifecycle, from check-in and preparation at local libraries, sorting at SELCO Headquarters, to courier delivery.
Delivery is a core SELCO service and essential to the success of the shared Evergreen Integrated Library System (ILS) and the MNLINK statewide interlibrary loan system (ILL). SELCO is committed to continuous improvement and seeks a consultant who can provide an expert assessment of current practices and actionable recommendations that SELCO and its member libraries can reasonably adopt.
While stakeholder input is essential, the consultant will not be responsible for facilitating consensus among member libraries or for leading implementation. SELCO will serve as project sponsor, coordinate access to staff and member libraries, and retain responsibility for decision-making and implementation of approved recommendations.
Strategic Planning Facilitation
In 2016 the Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) worked to develop an ambitious 5-year strategic plan that really sparked momentum. We have just released the attached RFP for strategic planning facilitation services. YDL is an innovative, 3-branch public library with a $7M budget serving a very diverse community of 88,000 residents located between Ann Arbor and Detroit. We are looking for an experienced, engaging professional consultant who can provide us with data and insights that lead to a forward-thinking, community-driven, 3-5 year plan. Here’s the RFP’s introduction:
The Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) is seeking consultant services to assist the Board, staff, and community in developing a comprehensive strategic plan. The plan will include goals, measurable objectives, and proposed activities to meet community needs for the next three to five (3-5) years. The strategic plan will examine our community’s growth patterns and demographics and identify needs and services with respect to future trends and technologies, in addition to existing inequities and gaps. It will also identify relevant funding needs to respond to service demands and proposed infrastructure changes.
The goal of this project is to create a widely-supported strategic plan aligned with stakeholder and resident input, including but not exclusive to the following objectives:
- Ensure that library services and resources are in line with user needs and expectations.
- Boost visibility, awareness, and patronage among residents.
- Support initiatives to create and sustain a vibrant workplace that attracts and retains talented, creative, and service-oriented employees who feel supported in the often-challenging work of serving the public.
- Develop strategies toward long-term capital goals, including any building expansions or renovations identified as desirable by the public.