To: Board of Supervisors
From: Alison McKee, County Librarian
Report Title: Disposal of Surplus Library Materials
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution approving and authorizing the County Librarian to dispose of library books and materials that the County Librarian has determined to be surplus to the Library’s needs by (1) donating the material to “Friends” groups and foundations that support Library activities, public schools and public school libraries, and other County departments, and (2) working with a third-party vendor pursuant to a contract approved by the Board of Supervisors.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
By virtue of Board Resolution Nos. 78/107, 83/140 and 98/460, the County Librarian is authorized to dispose of library books and materials that the County Librarian has determined to be surplus to the Library’s needs by donating the material to “Friends” groups and foundations that support Library activities. In April 2020, this Board authorized the County Librarian to execute a contract with a third-party vendor to dispose of surplus Library materials and pay a share of any proceeds to the Library.
The Resolution recommended today will update and supersede the previous Board resolutions to add public schools, public school libraries, other County departments, and a third-party vendor whose contract has been approved by the Board of Supervisors to the list of potential recipients of the Library’s surplus materials.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The Library’s current policies related to the disposition of surplus materials will remain unchanged.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
body
IN THE MATTER OF DIRECTING THE COUNTY LIBRARIAN TO ARRANGE FOR THE DISPOSAL OR REDISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS LIBRARY MATERIALS
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-___
WHEREAS Contra Costa County (“County”) operates a public library system that is comprised of 26 community libraries serving the County’s diverse population (the “Library”).
WHEREAS, consistent with the Library’s mission of bringing people and ideas together, the Library strives to offer the public a collection of materials that is current and engaging.
WHEREAS maintaining a collection of materials that is current and engaging requires culling materials that the County Librarian determines have become outdated, damaged, superseded, or no longer relevant to the collection (“Surplus Materials”).
WHEREAS other groups or organizations may be able to repurpose the Surplus Materials through sales that benefit the Library or through the use of the Surplus Materials for a public benefit.
WHEREAS the Library desires to dispose of Surplus Materials in a manner that simultaneously is efficient, serves the public and promotes environmental sustainability.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Contra Costa (the “Board”) that the County Librarian is authorized to do all of the following:
1. Declare as surplus library materials, including books, magazines, and other items from the collection, that are determined to be outdated, damaged, superseded, or no longer relevant to the collection.
2. Dispose of Surplus Materials by donating them to one or more of the following: (i) groups and foundations known as “Friends” of the Library, (ii) public schools, (iii) public school libraries, (iv) other County departments, and (v) local non-profit organizations approved by the County Librarian.
3. Dispose of Surplus Materials by working with one or more third-party vendors, in accordance with a contract that has been approved by the Board.
4. Make space available in Library facilities for groups and foundations known as “Friends” of the Library, to enable such groups to sell Surplus Materials or to otherwise dispose of Surplus Materials in a manner that benefits the public.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution supersedes and replaces Resolution Nos. 78/107, 83/140, and 98/460.
end