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Many libraries and archives use vendors to meet their
preservation needs, and in some circumstances, this
may be the most sensible way to proceed. Vendor services
include the binding of periodicals and monographs, microfilming,
and certain forms of reprography. These are the services
that lend themselves most easily to routine contract
pricing and uniform handling. In many cases, the more
routine and uniform the work, the more likely that vendors
can perform it more cheaply and efficiently than the
library. Why? Because of low vendor wages, capital investment
in sophisticated high-production equipment, cheaper
materials with high-volume purchasing, and the greater
productivity that results from economies of scale.
Preservation functions typically performed in house
by library and archive staff include standard care of
collections, minor paper repair, replacement photocopy,
binding preparation, simple pamphlet casing and paperback
processing, microfilm preparation, and book repair.
These functions are considered inappropriate for vendors
for several reasons. Some sensible criteria can be applied
to help you determine whether to use vendors.
Please click on the links below to view the criteria
that help determine whether to use vendors.
1. Competence and standards
2. Decision-making and service
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In House or Vendors 
