Outsourcing Library Technical Services Research Articles

Outsourcing library technical services – what we think we know, and don’t know

While a considerable amount has been spoken and written about the subject of outsourcing, or contracting out, of technical services in libraries, there is little consensus on even the definition of the phenomenon, or its history. The available research shows that arguments in favour of outsourcing are based on supposed cost and time savings, while opposition tends to emphasise quality issues. Evidence as to whether outsourcing in general in fact saves money or time tends to be spotty, while there is some data supporting concerns about a decline of quality in many outsourcing projects.

Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations; Practices in Academic, Public and Special Libraries

Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations; Practices in Academic, Public and Special Libraries

Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations: Practices in Academic, Public, and Special Libraries. Karen A. Wilson , Marylou Colver

Previous articleNext article No AccessReviewsOutsourcing Library Technical Services Operations: Practices in Academic, Public, and Special Libraries. Karen A. Wilson , Marylou ColverJennifer CargillJennifer Cargill Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Library Quarterly Volume 69, Number 1Jan., 1999 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/603040 Copyright 1999 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations:

Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations:

<i>Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations: Practices in Academic, Public, and Special Libraries.</i> Eds. Karen A. Wilson and Marylou Colver. Chicago: ALA, 1997. 239p. $38 ($34.20 ALA members) (ISBN 0-8389-0703-2). LC 97-22901.

Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations: Practices in Academic, Public, and Special Libraries. Eds. Karen A. Wilson and Marylou Colver. Chicago: ALA, 1997. 239p. $38 ($34.20 ALA members) (ISBN 0-8389-0703-2). LC 97-22901.

Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations: Practices in Academic, Public, and Special Libraries. Eds. Karen A. Wilson and Marylou Colver. Chicago: ALA, 1997. 239p. $38 ($34.20 ALA members) (ISBN 0-8389-0703-2). LC 97-22901.

Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations: Practices in Academic, Public, and Special Libraries. Eds. Karen A. Wilson and Marylou Colver. Chicago: ALA, 1997. 239p. $38 ($34.20 ALA members) (ISBN 0-8389-0703-2). LC 97-22901.

Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations: Practices in Academic, Public, and Special Libraries

(1998). Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations: Practices in Academic, Public, and Special Libraries. Serials Review: Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 138-140.

Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations: Practices in Academic, Public, and Special Libraries: edited by Karen A. Wilson & Marylou Colver: Chicago, IL: American Library Association, (Sponsored by the Commercial Technical Services Committee, Association for Library Collections and Technical Services), 1997. 239p. Price. ISBN 0-8389-0703-2.

Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations: Practices in Academic, Public, and Special Libraries: edited by Karen A. Wilson & Marylou Colver: Chicago, IL: American Library Association, (Sponsored by the Commercial Technical Services Committee, Association for Library Collections and Technical Services), 1997. 239p. Price. ISBN 0-8389-0703-2.

Book Review: Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations: Practices in Academic, Public, and Special Libraries

Book Review: Outsourcing Library Technical Services Operations: Practices in Academic, Public, and Special Libraries

Outsourcing library technical services

Outsourcing library technical services

Outsourced library technical services: The bookseller's perspective

This paper looks at outsourcing library technical services primarily from the perspective of the relationship between outsourcing libraries and their suppliers. It first looks at why businesses outsource and how suppliers gain sufficient advantages to benefit those businesses. The author then extends these concepts to libraries and the booksellers who provide them with these services. Based upon business literature and practical experience, the author outlines some of the potential pitfalls in outsourcing arrangements and what can be done to minimize them. The author concludes with a call to temper enthusiasm for outsourcing in view of the sober realities of doing business in a complex, fast-changing environment.