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Libraries Scotland eNewspaper and eMagazine

Scottish Library and Information Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

13 Oct 2026 at 11:42

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) is procuring one national service providing electronic newspapers and magazines to members of Scotland’s 32 public library services. The service is intended to give library users across Scotland equitable access to digital reading and information through the Libraries Scotland initiative and its national eResources collection. The requirement is for library services, rather than print supply: the procurement concerns digital newspaper and magazine content and the means to make it available to library members. Scotland Excel is conducting the tender on SLIC’s behalf, but SLIC will hold and manage the resulting contract. Delivery is across Scotland, with participation by all 32 local authority library services available during the contract.

SLIC invited offers through an open procedure. The process reached the tender stage, with electronic submissions requested. The submission deadline was 13 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC; the award period was due to begin at that time. The contract was planned to run from 1 February 2027 to 31 March 2029, with an option for two further 12-month extensions, up to 31 March 2031. The estimated value is £1.6 million. There is one lot. Bids are assessed on technical quality (70%) and price (30%). Suppliers must submit in English; variants are not permitted and electronic catalogues are required. The contract is subject to community-benefit expectations supporting reading, literacy, digital inclusion and public library development, where reasonably practicable across participating affiliates.

This suits providers able to supply a broad, usable digital newspaper and magazine service for public libraries, with the reach and operational capacity to support a national Scottish user base and participating library services. Suppliers need to demonstrate accessibility: their service must meet WCAG 2.1 AA or an equivalent standard, and their website must carry an Accessibility Statement. Cyber Essentials accreditation, or an equivalent, is also required. The technical element carries most of the evaluation weight, so providers should be ready to show how their content and service meet the library requirement, alongside a competitive price. The buyer also seeks community benefits linked to reading, literacy, digital inclusion and the development of public library services; proposals should, where practicable, benefit more than one participating affiliate. The contract calls for digital rather than physical newspaper and magazine provision.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Libraries Scotland eNewspaper and eMagazine

Notice Description

The aim of this tender is to provide a single national eMagazines and eNewpapers service to all thirty-two public library services for access by their members. Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) is seeking a vendor that can supply eMagazines and eNewspapers to all thirty-two public library services.

Lot Information

Lot 1

SLIC has been tasked by the Scottish Government to develop a single digital interface for Scottish Public Libraries along with a national eResources collection to ensure equitable access to information and reading material across the whole of Scotland. The Scottish Government has provided SLIC with an ongoing annual grant to deliver the website, to be known as 'Libraries Scotland', and to develop the national eResources collection. This will bring Scottish Public Libraries in line with counterparts in Northern Ireland, Ireland and Wales. SLIC has developed the project with guidance from the Association of Public Libraries in Scotland (APLS) and a steering group made up of representatives from across local authorities and the wider library sector in Scotland. The project is also a strategic aim in Forward: Scotland's Public Library Strategy 2021-2025 and carried over to Fast Forward: Public Library Strategy Refresh 2026. Additional information: Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of SLIC in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.

Renewal: The Contract will be from 1 Feb 2027 until 31 March 2029, and SLIC will have an option to extend it for up to a further two 12-month periods until 31 March 2031.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078663
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/096471-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

CPV Codes

48160000 - Library software package

92511000 - Library services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,600,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
13 Nov 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Scottish Library and Information Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G2 2LB
Postcode Area
Glasgow
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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