November 18, 2025
Agenda Item No. 8
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
Melissa Hartson, Library Services Director - 949-717-3801, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Rebecca Lightfoot, Library Services Manager - 949-717-3819, [email protected] TITLE:
Approval of Master Agreement with Kanopy, Inc. to Procure Digital Video Content ABSTRACT:
The Library Services Department is requesting the City Council approve a five-year agreement with Kanopy, Inc. (Kanopy) to procure digital video content. The Newport Beach Public Library (Library) has subscribed to Kanopy’s streaming service since 2017, and patron usage has steadily grown since its launch.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and b) Approve a Master Agreement with Kanopy, Inc. for a not-to-exceed amount of $75,000 annually and a total amount of $375,000, through June 30, 2030, and to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement.
DISCUSSION:
Kanopy is an online streaming platform service that provides digital films on a wide variety of topics and for all audiences. Library patrons have access to over 36,000 titles on demand through Kanopy and can watch movies on several different devices, including smart TVs, through the app on mobile devices, and through a web browser.
In 2023, Kanopy switched its lending model from play credits to a ticket system. Patrons are using more tickets to access the streaming content with this new lending model. Subsequently, annual costs have increased to meet the demand.
Kanopy provides a unique service and its collection of streaming films, including award winning documentaries, educational films, children’s movies and blockbuster hits from major studios, is not available through other vendors. Kanopy has exclusive streaming rights to films from A&E, the History Channel, and the Criterion Collection, as well as the popular Great Courses catalog.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The adopted budget includes sufficient funding for this purchase. It will be expensed to the following accounts in the Library Department:
Library Materials 01060005-841052
Foundation Library Materials 0106051-841052
Friends Library Materials 0106052-841052
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A – Kanopy Master Agreement
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Approval of Master Agreement with Kanopy, Inc. to Procure Digital Video Content November 18, 2025
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