Libraries Management System
Received: 23 March 2026
Dear FOI Team,I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the Library Management System (LMS) used by the London Borough of Barnet.Barnet's library staff interface is accessed via the ESS/Soprano Library Management Cloud platform at:https://soprano.librarymanagementcloud.co.uk/barnet/This page lists Barnet library locations within the ESS/Soprano environment, confirming Barnet's use of an ESS/Talis heritage LMS. ESS's own product documentation further states that its Library Management Cloud traces its history back to Talis Alto, the legacy system historically used by many UK authorities. To understand the contractual arrangements relating to Barnet's use of this system, please provide the following information:________________________________________1. Current LMS Contract DetailsFor the Library Management System currently used by Barnet libraries (ESS / Talis / Library Management Cloud), please provide:*Supplier name*Product/system name (e.g., Soprano, Alto, Chorus, LMC)*Contract title*Contract reference number*Contract start date*Contract end date*Total contract value and/or annual cost*Any extension periods included in the contract*Whether any extensions have been taken________________________________________2. Procurement RoutePlease confirm:*How the LMS was procured (e.g., open tender, framework call off, direct award, legacy rollover)*If procured via a framework, the name of the framework or DPS used*Whether any competitive procurement has taken place since Barnet adopted the system________________________________________3. Costs and Funding ModelFor the current contract period, please provide:*Annual subscription/licence fees*Support and maintenance costs*Hosting or cloud services fees*Any one off implementation or upgrade charges incurred________________________________________4. System Configuration and UpgradesIf held, please provide information on:*Whether Barnet has migrated from Talis Alto / Capita Chorus to ESS Library Management Cloud (Soprano) and the date of any transition*Modules or additional components in use (e.g., reporting, discovery, interloans, RFID integrations)*Significant upgrades or changes made within the last five years________________________________________5. DocumentationPlease provide:*A copy of the LMS contract (with commercially sensitive information redacted if necessary)*Any contract variation, extension, or renewal letters*Any service-level or performance reports provided to the Council by ESS________________________________________I would prefer to receive the information electronically. If any element of this request cannot be disclosed, please provide the reason and supply the remainder of the information.Thank you for your assistance.
Outcome / Documents
- Response (some not held) - application/pdf - Download