To: Board of Supervisors
From: Alison McKee, County Librarian
Report Title: Purchase Order with Califa Group for Creative Empire, LLC’s Mango Conversations and Movies Library Edition, Little Pim, and ASL Inside subscriptions through June 27, 2029
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
RATIFY the Purchasing Agent’s execution, on behalf of the County Librarian, of a purchase order with Califa Group, subject to Creative Empire LLC’s Mango Languages Consortium Terms of Service, in an amount not to exceed $137,234 for the renewal of Creative Empire, LLC’s Mango Conversations and Movies Library Edition, Little Pim, and ASL Inside subscriptions, for the period June 28, 2026, through June 27, 2029.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% Library Fund.
BACKGROUND:
Mango Languages, from Creative Empire, LLC, is an interactive language learning product designed for libraries and available to patrons through the Library website and the Mango Languages app. The product is designed to prepare learners for realistic conversations and strengthening everyday communication skills in over 70 world languages. Mango includes courses in English as a Second Language, American Sign Language, endangered and indigenous languages, international streaming films, and Little Pim language learning for kids. Creative Empire, LLC offers libraries a deep discount through a group purchase made by Califa, the California Library Consortium, of which the Library is a member.
The terms and conditions include limitation of liability and indemnification language and the jurisdiction is in the State of Michigan which was reviewed by County Counsel.
Califa Group is the only vendor that provides an interactive language learning product designed for libraries, at a discounted group rate for California public libraries, therefore this purchase order is being sought with a sole source justification.
This Purchase Order is entered into under and subject to the following legal authority, California Government Code § 31000.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Purchase Order is not approved, the Contra Costa County Library will not be able to provide patrons with the ability to register their library cards online and the Library the ability to manage patron renewals.