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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 01:00

OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) is buying a national service that gives members of Scotland’s 32 public library services access to electronic newspapers and magazines. The service is part of the Libraries Scotland digital interface and national eResources collection, intended to provide equitable access to information and reading material across Scotland. Scotland Excel is managing the tender for SLIC but will not hold or manage the resulting contract. Delivery is intended to serve participating local authority library services throughout Scotland. The requirement is for a supplier able to provide the digital content and service across a national public-library network, rather than a purchase of printed publications.

SLIC invited offers through an open procedure. The procurement has reached the tender stage. Bids were due by 12 noon on 13 November 2026; the enquiry deadline is also set for that time. The contract is scheduled to run from 1 February 2027 to 31 March 2029, with an option for up to two further 12-month extensions, ending no later than 31 March 2031. The stated contract value is £1.6 million. There is one lot. Evaluation allocates 70% to technical quality and 30% to price. Bidders must meet WCAG 2.1 AA or an equivalent accessibility standard, provide an accessibility statement on their website, and hold Cyber Essentials or equivalent accreditation. Electronic submissions are required, and variants are not permitted.

This opportunity suits digital content providers, newspaper and magazine aggregators, and library technology suppliers able to deliver a single e-resources service at national scale. Strong candidates will have a broad, relevant e-newspaper and e-magazine catalogue and the systems and operational capacity to provide access for members across multiple local authority library services. Accessibility is a gateway requirement: the service must meet WCAG 2.1 AA or an equivalent standard, and the supplier’s website must publish an accessibility statement. Cyber Essentials or equivalent accreditation is also required. The technical proposal carries substantially more evaluation weight than price, so suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate service quality, content coverage and capability against the specification. SLIC also seeks community benefits supporting reading, literacy, digital inclusion and public library development across participating areas.

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.. 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-r6ebe6-0000845512
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT566581
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract 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

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT566581
    Libraries Scotland eNewspaper and eMagazine - 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.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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