RFP: SJVLS 26-003: Integrated Library System
Purpose
The San Joaquin Valley Library System (SJVLS or System) is seeking responses from vendors to provide an Integrated Library System (ILS) capable of supporting a large library consortium with 10 members and 105 branches. Our desired go-live date on the new ILS is April 2027.
SJVLS’s current ILS is Horizon from SirsiDynix and has been in use since 2003. SJVLS members all share a single bibliographic and patron database, thereby allowing easy sharing of materials between different members, as well as allowing patrons registered with one member to access library services at any of the other 9 member’s library branches using their existing borrower record. This also allows library materials to be returned to any of our member library branches and then routed back to the owning library.
As a result of our size and complexity, SJVLS requires an ILS that is fully featured, robust, and provides sufficient flexibility to allow each of members to set their own rules and policies, as well as allowing them to brand and customize public-facing applications or interfaces to meet their needs. Currently, each member has their own unique OPAC profiles and a mobile app template.
SJVLS currently hosts the ILS in our data center in the Fresno County Central Library, and would like to continue to self-host, if possible. SJVLS understands that the ILS market has shifted to a vendor-hosted model and is willing to consider vendor-hosted solutions as well.
Award of a contract will be made to one (1) vendor on a competitive basis following the process, terms and conditions as described in this RFP.
The Contract resulting from this RFP will be for a term of five (5) years, with option to renew for a minimum of two (2) additional one (1) year terms thereafter unless earlier terminated pursuant to terms and conditions of the Contract.
Background
SJVLS serves the public library systems of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Mariposa, and Tulare Counties, and the city/district libraries of Coalinga-Huron, Porterville, and Tulare. In all, SJVLS represents 10 library jurisdictions and 105 individual library locations, and bookmobiles. SJVLS’s locations range from large urban, medium city/suburban, and small, isolated rural libraries, with a service area spanning approximately 26,000 square miles. [See https://www.sjvls.org/library-locations for a map of branch locations.]
SJVLS attempts to provide the member libraries with services that can be performed more economically as a consortium than as individual libraries. SJVLS recognizes that there are many different models of consortia sharing of library software and rarely are two consortia the same in how they operate. To help respondents gauge how SJVLS and its members utilize their shared ILS environment, we will provide background on our unique use cases for ILS modules, as well as what we aim to implement in our new solution. These services and requirements will be delineated in the Scope of Work and Appendix A – ILS Functionality Survey.
Please see the attached RFP document for a full background on SJVLS's ILS environment.
Vendor Teleconference Instructions
The vendor teleconference is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. The teleconference will be held online through Microsoft Teams.
Bidders wishing to participate must email purchasing agent Chris Wymer at christopher.wymer@sjvls.org no later than 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, to receive the link and instructions.
Request Interpretations or Corrections
Closing Instructions
All submissions must be received by the date and time indicated as the Closing Date in the Key Dates section below. Proposals and quotes should be emailed to:christopher.wymer@sjvls.org
KEY DATES
| RFP Issue Date: | Monday, January 26, 2026 |
| Vendor Teleconference: | Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PDT. |
| Deadline for Requests for Interpretations or Corrections of RFP: | Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. PDT. |
| Response to Questions Posted: | Monday, February 9, 2026 |
| RFP Closing Date: | Friday, February 27, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. PDT. |
View PDF of RFP
To make it easier for vendors to complete the ILS Functionality Survey, Supplemental Questions, and Pricing Worksheet, SJVLS is providing copies of those files in their Excel and Word file formats. You can click on any of the files listed below to download a blank copy.