To: Board of Supervisors
From: Alison McKee, County Librarian
Report Title: Purchase order with Kanopy, Inc., for the renewal of its video streaming subscription
☒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 Kanopy, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $500,000 for the renewal of Kanopy video streaming solution subscription, for the period May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2028.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% Library Fund.
BACKGROUND:
The Library Department has used and continues to use Kanopy, Inc., for its video streaming solution for libraries that provides access to online videos for the library’s patrons. Kanopy offers a wide range of independent, foreign language, classics, award-winning documentaries, and feature films. Kanopy can be streamed on iOS, Android, AppleTV, Roku, Fire TV, and Chromecast devices or on a computer.
The terms and conditions include limitation of liability and indemnification language which were reviewed by County Counsel. Due to Kanopy’s rights as well as the unique nature of the content and solution, the Library seeks this purchase through a sole source. 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 patrons will not have access to one of the largest and finest collection of films in the world available for the public library market.