Outsourcing: A Librarian and Vendor Perspective

Evolving Nature of Library Technical Services in Response to Outsourcing

“…Based on the variety of findings on the cost-effectiveness of outsourcing, ideally each library would assess its own parameters of cost-benefit analysis, as there is no one-size fits all model when it comes to outsourcing. Hillen (2019) emphasizes the positive effect of having quality control processes in place on both the library and vendor ends of outsourcing to ensure ongoing maximization of cost-benefits. It's apparent that libraries must not only look at the monetary costs of outsourcing but consider potential benefits such as saved staff time and faster access for users (Schroeder & Howland, 2011;Stalberg & Cronin, 2011).…”

“…If outsourcing leads to decreased staffing in TS, does it follow that there has been an exodus of TS knowledge away from libraries? Hillen (2019) describes outsourcing in way that means libraries are directing the work of a group of individuals that extends beyond the library's employment. This kind of relationship is not strictly client-vendor, rather a partnership in which knowledge flows from libraries to vendors, and subsequently vendors may disseminate their acquired knowledge to other libraries (Heinrich & LaFollette, 2009).…”