To: Board of Supervisors
From: Alison McKee, County Librarian
Report Title: Contract with Penguin Random House LLC for author talk services by Leila Mottley on November 14, 2026
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Librarian, or designee, to execute a contract with Penguin Random House LLC, including modified indemnification and limitation of liability language, in an amount not to exceed $15,100 for author talk services by Leila Mottley on November 14, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% Library Fund.
BACKGROUND:
The Library Department respectfully requests the Board of Supervisors to authorize a contract with Penguin Random House LLC to receive an author talk by Leila Mottley on November 14, 2026 titled “A Conversation with Leila Mottley,” author of “The Girls Who Grew Big.”
The contract provisions include limitation of liability and indemnification approved by County Counsel. This contract does not meet AB339 criteria.
Government Code Section 31000 authorizes the County to contract for services including the services that Penguin Random House LLC provides.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the contract is not approved, the Library Department will not be able to accomplish the 2026 Read Contra Costa Event.