Website Design: Request for Proposal June 2013

Website Design: Request for Proposal - June 2013

The Lincolnwood Public Library District is seeking proposals from qualified firms to create a new website for the library.

Deadlines

 Library issues RFP May 24, 2013 
 Deadline for questions June 7, 2013 
 Deadline for submitting proposals June 21, 2013 
 Library completes RFP evaluation July 5, 2013 
 Interview process of candidates July 15-July 31, 2013 
 Present to Board August 15, 2013
 Conclusion of contract and signing September 2, 2013 

Summary

The library’s current website (http://www.lincolnwoodlibrary.org), built using Adobe 
Dreamweaver utilizing library and template modules, is largely static. The homepage is heavily graphic and does not have adequate space for announcements and other fresh content updates. The library is looking for a design that is clean and easy to navigate. Approximately two-thirds of the content of the current website will be retained and the new site will be maintained by the in-house webmaster. All proposals must be based on using a web accessible Content Management System and using a theme that has been especially designed for the Lincolnwood Public Library District. We are seriously considering using WordPress as our CMS.

Target Audience

The target audience includes Lincolnwood residents of all ages that are regular library users and non-users but especially residents who may not physically come to the library building.

Lincolnwood Demographic Information

1. Individuals between 0 to 19 years old -- 24.4% of population
2. Individuals between 20 to 54 years old -- 39.3% of population
3. Individuals over 55 years old -- 36.3% of population
4. Approximately 55% of residents age 5 and older use a foreign language for communication at home
5. Significant European ethnic groups, primarily: Greek, German, Polish, Russian
6. Asian ethnicities comprise a full 26.6 % of the population and include significant numbers of Asian Indian, Korean, Filipino and Chinese

Project Requirements

• Clean, contemporary design with a short page and/or limited scrolling
• Intuitive navigation with a site structure that does not require multiple clicks to reach desired page
• Detailed menus with hover-over options (no Flash plug-in necessary)
• Display equally well in all browsers (Chrome, IE, Firefox, Opera, and Safari)
• Incorporate library’s location, hours, and catalog search in the header
• Give prominence to My Account, online resources, downloadable books, and upcoming events
• Incorporate dynamic data feeds to display upcoming events, as well as item information from our catalog, and blog posts, etc., giving staff the ability to easily post library news or promote library services on the homepage
• Teen and children’s pages should fit in with overall design yet have their own look
• Be compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments 
• Incorporate Responsive Web Design, allowing good functionality of website on desktop computers to mobile phones
• Provide training for key staff in updating and maintenance of website
• Options to translate the page into foreign languages
• Staff intranet section that is password protected and not visible or searchable by the public
• Consulting support for optimal hosting options and statistics gathering

Sites We Like

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh http://www.carnegielibrary.org/

1. Short page requiring little scrolling
2. Good emphasis on the essentials on first page: Catalog, My Account, and Databases

Itasca Community College Library http://www.itascalibrary.org/

=> Clean, simple look, white background with soothing color scheme – easy on eyes
=> Great box with rotating News & Updates with options: Adults, Youth, and All 
=> Prominent large buttons for Sign Up for library card, Donations, etc.
=> Would be better if there was a search box for the catalog on the top of front page

Oak Park Public Library http://oppl.org/Lincolnwood

 Clean, modern design
 Menus at top
 Slideshow of events, news, etc.
 The information is divided into sections, i.e. Catalog, Current Happenings, New Arrivals

Salt Lake City Public Library http://www.slcpl.lib.ut.us/

 Clean, modern design
 Easy to navigate through the drop down menus
 Slideshow is a little too big
 Catalog search is always in header

Scottsdale Public Library http://www.scottsdalelibrary.org/

 Drop down menus are like separate pages packed with a ton of information
 No scrolling necessary
 What’s New? Section with bookshelf of new items-links to catalog page

Wilmette Public Library http://www.wilmette.lib.il.us/

 Clean, contemporary look
 Easy-to-read drop down menus
 Contact information and hours part of the header
 Catalog Search, My Account, and Upcoming Events in prominent location
 Slideshow highlighting library services

Proposals Requirements

Submissions that do not include each of the six requirements listed below will not be considered.
1. Reference information for at least 3 clients including their active websites
2. A description of your experience in producing sites for library, non-profit, and/or 
community-focused projects 
3. An overview of your development process
4. A proposed timeline
5. An introduction to your team and their qualifications and details on the portions of the 
project you may outsource
6. An outline of pricing and total cost of this project

Selection Criteria 

Selection criteria will include, but not be limited to the following:

• Quality of portfolio of projects (attractiveness of design, function, and accessibility in provided website design examples)
• Understanding of modern trends in design and development (HTML5, CSS3, Responsive Web Design)
• Understanding of web standards and usability 
• Experience with CMS’s, particularly WordPress, and customization of themes
• References from previous clients 
• Cost

Vendor selection will be brought before the library’s Board of Trustees for review and approval on August 15, 2013. The board reserves the right to reject any and all proposal(s) for any reason.

Disclaimer
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is not an offer to purchase. The RFP is solely a request for 
expressions of interest and statements of qualifications. It is not an invitation for tenders, an offer to contract, or an invitation for offers capable of acceptance to create a contract. No contractual or other legal obligations or relations between the Library and any other person can or will be created here under. The Library assumes no financial responsibility for the cost of preparation of proposals by respondents nor does it make any commitment to enter into a contract for service based on responses to this RFP. 

Timeline

Please submit your proposal via email on or before 6:00pm CST on June 7, 2013 to:

 Annica Glenn at aglenn@lincolnwoodlibrary.org AND cc’d to Su Bochenski at
sbochenski@lincolnwoodlibrary.org

All submissions will be acknowledged within 2 business days of receipt. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact Annica Glenn at 847.677.5277.

Submission Details

 Library issues RFP May 24, 2013 
 Deadline for questions June 7, 2013 
 Deadline for submitting proposals June 21, 2013 
 Library completes RFP evaluation July 5, 2013 
 Interview process of candidates July 15-July 31, 2013 
 Present to Board August 15, 2013
 Conclusion of contract and signing September 2, 2013 

If a vendor has any questions about the contents of this RFP, or about any matters relating to it, the question must be directed in writing to Webmaster Annica Glenn via email at 
aglenn@lincolnwoodlibrary.org. All questions will be responded to promptly via email.

Source: http://www.lincolnwoodlibrary.org/pdf/website-RFP-2013.pdf