Outsourcing library technical services – what we think we know, and don’t know

While a considerable amount has been spoken and written about the subject of outsourcing, or contracting out, of technical services in libraries, there is little consensus on even the definition of the phenomenon, or its history. The available research shows that arguments in favour of outsourcing are based on supposed cost and time savings, while opposition tends to emphasise quality issues. Evidence as to whether outsourcing in general in fact saves money or time tends to be spotty, while there is some data supporting concerns about a decline of quality in many outsourcing projects.