To: Board of Supervisors
From: Alison McKee, County Librarian
Report Title: Purchase Order with EBSCO Information Services, Inc. for Flipster Subscriptions through October 31, 2025
☒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, Inc., subject to the EBSCO License Agreement, in an amount not to exceed $77,435 for the renewal of the Flipster subscription, for the period November 1, 2024, through October 31, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% Library Fund.
BACKGROUND:
The Library offers patrons the Flipster service. This product is the only resource offering current and back issues of some of the most widely used and popular magazine titles for public libraries, such as Consumer Reports, Time, and People. Flipster provides instant access to digital magazines through an app or a browser on a computer or device to patrons within and outside of the library. Flipster offers highly visual and engaging digital content across many niche and diverse topics, all in an appealing browsable format. The software is also compatible for visually impaired patrons.
EBSCO’s License Agreement includes a limitation of liability at the amount of fees paid.
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 unique content or interface within the Flipster digital magazine service.