To: Board of Supervisors
From: Alison McKee, County Librarian
Report Title: Purchase Order with Brodart Co. for a Subscription to Bibz Analytics Module through January 31, 2027
☒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 Brodart Co., subject to the terms of their Software Services Agreement, in an amount not to exceed $20,000 for a subscription to the analytics module Bibz Analytics for the period February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% Library Fund.
BACKGROUND:
Brodart Co. is one of three main vendors to supply Contra Costa County Library with physical books and materials to support the recreational, educational, and informational needs of its patrons. As part of that service, Brodart Co. offers an additional analytics module called Bibz Analytics that allows the Library to make informed decisions when selecting materials for the Library. Library patrons need convenient access to high quality recreational, educational, and general interest materials across a variety of subjects, genres, and topics. Brodart’s Bibz Analytics supports the Library in selecting the most relevant materials to meet the information needs of patrons throughout the County and saves considerable staff and funding resources in doing so by providing robust analytical tools to the Library at the point of purchase.
The Software Services Agreement includes limitation of liability language and is governed by Pennsylvania law, which was reviewed by County Counsel.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Purchase Order is not approved, the Contra Costa County Library will no longer be able to efficiently select materials in a timely and informed manner that support the recreational, educational, and informational needs of Contra Costa County library patrons.