To: Board of Supervisors
From: Alison McKee, County Librarian
Report Title: Report: Purchase Order with EBSCO Information Services, LLC for 13 databases used by the Library, for the period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent to execute, on behalf of the County Librarian, a purchase order with EBSCO Information Services, LLC, subject to the terms of their EBSCO License Agreement Standard and EBSCO License Agreement NoveList Select, in an amount not to exceed $298,688 for the renewal of 13 databases used by the Library for the period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% Library Fund.
BACKGROUND:
The Library Department has used and continues to use EBSCO for various online subscriptions for patron use. EBSCO is a leading provider of research content, search technologies, and delivery platforms for public libraries. The Library selected EBSCO for a database package that includes Full Text Finder, Literary Reference Source eBook Subscription, Literary Reference Plus, MAS FullTEXT, Ultra School Edition, MAS Reference eBook Subscription, Middle Search Plus: HOST, Middle Search Reference eBook Subscription, Newspaper Source, NoveList Plus, Novelist Select, Points of View Reference Source, Primary Search: Host, Primary Search, and Reference eBook Subscription. This package includes authoritative sources, such as journals, full-text magazines, newspapers, reference eBooks, primary documents, and other educational content appropriate for research papers, class projects and home assignments for students and lifelong learners at all levels. EBSCO’s Discovery Service utilizes a single search where researchers can find content found in all the Library’s full-text databases. ConsumerReports.org provides patrons with trusted information to help them make smart buying decisions.
EBSCO is the sole source for the following products within our subscription due to proprietary, copyright, archive, or distributorship reasons: Literary Reference Center Plus, Magazine Article Summaries Ultra School edition, Middle Search Plus, Newspaper Source, Primary Search, Points of View Reference Center, Novelist Plus, and Novelist Select. EBSCO’s databases offer an intuitive online research platform for patrons to search and retrieve content both inside the library and remotely, therefore this purchase order is being sought with a sole source justification.
EBSCO’s License Agreement includes a limitation of liability and indemnification language which was reviewed by County Counsel.
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 extensive information and search capabilities provided by these databases.