The contractor began providing services in September 1997. A four-member team is assigned to the TSB library. All team members work part-time. A users committee provides guidance to the library team and makes policy decisions. As the first anniversary of the contract approaches, the TSB is reviewing and evaluating the services provided by the contractor.
Management believes that the contractor is doing very well.
An independent consultant has been hired to conduct a more formal evaluation. When this consultantcompletes a report, the TSB will meet with the contractor to exercise the renewal option in the contract and to make any adjustments required. Conclusion Contracting out all library services is a viable alternative method of providing services to clients. Good planning and organization minimize any risks involved and the TSB experience has shown that contract out library services can work. The TSB is an independent agency of the Government of Canada mandated to conduct investigations into accidents and incidents in the air, marine, rail and pipeline modes of transportation.