After considerable persuasion, a representative of a library bindery has agreed to break through the communication barrier and say what he thinks librarians need to know about bids, contracts and specifications. His contribution is in the left- hand column. In the right- hand column are the comments of a preservation librarian experienced in contracting for library binding services. Comments of readers are warmly invited, either for publication or for private, anonymous feedback to the two parties in this dialog. Librarians and administrative personnel spend an excessive amount of time and paperwork annually preparing to go out on bid.
Bids have to be prepared wells in advance of the renewal date, and have to be updated frequently.
Inappropriate to the selection of a service organization. Any experienced librarian can attest that binding service consists of multiple deliveries over time, that communication to and response from the supplier are invariably required, and that treating binding service like a physically specifiable commodity by bid buying typically leads to the lowest initial price with the highest complete cost. Where public funds are being spent through competitive bid buying, in the long run it is virtually impossible to exclude the unqualified binder. It is extremely important to have binders submit samples of all binding styles specified in the contract, so that these can be inspected for compliance with specifications. Sending the binder a trial shipment can provide even more useful evidence of compliance or non- compliance.