E Book and Audiobook Content and Mobile Application Services

The vendor required to provide eligible libraries with a collection of e-books and audiobooks, as well as local implementations of a mobile e-book app for the libraries’ patrons.
- End-user mobile application:
•    Each participating library must have its own local instance of the application (app). 
•    The app should be able to integrate with commonly used integrated library systems (ILS) and allow patrons to authenticate with their library credentials, typically library barcode and password and pin. 
•    The mobile app must be available for apple and android smartphones and tablets, at a minimum. 
•    Compatibility with e-reader devices and desktop and laptops is preferred. 
•    The app must allow users to search and browse for materials and checkout and download content for offline reading and listening. 
•    Users should also be able to create bookmarks in e-books and audiobooks. 
•    The ability to create a wish list of items to read later is preferred. 
•    Users should be able to create holds for checked-out items and be notified when their hold is available. 
•    In-device notifications or email alerts are acceptable. 
•    The ability for users to defer holds to a later date is preferred. 
•    Users should be able to customize the display on their device, such as changing the font, font size, and background color. 
•    A web interface where users can view search and browse the catalog, check out items, and manage their checkouts and holds is strongly preferred.
- Online marketplace and ordering system:
1. Content
•    The online marketplace must offer e-books and downloadable audiobooks for purchase. perpetual licenses are preferred, but time-limited or metered licenses are also acceptable. 
•    Pay-per-use models may also be considered.
•    E-books, epub3 or later is strongly preferred, but pdf format may be acceptable in some instances. 
•    Downloadable audio books, either mp3 or mp4 format is acceptable.
•    Adult fiction, popular non-fiction, young adult, and children’s content may be considered for the collection. 
•    All major publishers, as well as independent publishers, may be considered for purchase.
•    English-language and Spanish-language content are acceptable. 
•    Other non-English languages may also be considered in scope.
•    Periodicals, such as magazines and newspapers, are not currently offered in the e-read state program but may be considered in scope for this solicitation.
2. Features
•    Allow for the creation of multiple user accounts for the agency or library. 
•    Ability to build, manage, edit, and archive selection lists or book carts and export these lists to excel or csv format; and ability to create multiple selection lists or book carts.
•    Allow searching for content by four or more of the following: title, author, ISBN and ISSN, publisher, series, keyword, subject, or category. 
•    Allow the user to filter searched content by one or more of the following: license terms, format, and audience. 
•    Provide functionality that alerts users about possible duplicate orders.
- Content transfer
•    The contractor shall exercise commercially reasonable efforts to transfer content and licenses purchased from another contractor to the contractor’s platform. 
•    Agency terminate the agreement in the future, the contractor should also assist agency in transferring content and licenses to another platform.
- Collection development services
•    Assistance to agency with content selection by qualified personnel with experience selecting materials for a public library collection. 
•    It is strongly preferred that collection development personnel hold master’s degrees in library or information science.
- Participating libraries
•    Participating libraries do not purchase materials for the consortial e-read state collection but may want to purchase content for their local collection. 
•    Participating libraries will not need access to the online marketplace unless they opt to open an account at the local level. in this case, the library should only be able to purchase titles for their local account, and not for the consortial collection. 
•    This means any titles purchased directly by a participating library will only be made available to that library. 
•    Participating libraries should not be required to pay additional hosting and platform fees to open local accounts.

- Contract Period/Term: 2 years
- Pre-Submittal Conference Date: November 17, 2025
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: November 17, 2025