June 25, 2024
Library and Community Services
DATE: June 25, 2024
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Kate Eppler, Deputy Director of Community Services –
Library
Christopher Larsen, Library Services Manager
Subject:
Contract for Library Print Magazines and Newspapers
Subscription Management Services
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is approximately $16,000, of the total $48,000, expenditure included in the Library’s proposed fiscal year 2024- 2025, operating budget (01242155-400263).
Future expenditures of $16,000 annually will be budgeted in fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Library seeks approval of a contract with EBSCO
Information Services for subscription management
services for the Library’s print subscriptions to magazines and newspapers. EBSCO centrally manages
subscriptions with each periodical publisher, providing efficiencies and significantly saving staff time.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE a contract with EBSCO Information Services for a three-year term from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $48,000, to manage
magazine and newspaper for subscription services for
the Richmond Public Library – Community Services -
Library/LEAP (Kate Eppler 510-620-5452/Christopher
Larsen 510-620-5524).
DISCUSSION:
AGENDA
REPORT
June 25, 2024
The Richmond Public Library, in addition to circulation and other services, has also historically provided access to a substantial collection of print magazines and newspaper subscriptions. Library staff have typically managed each individual subscription, renewal, enrollment, etc. utilizing significant staff time.
In April of this year, staff initiated a solicitation for subscription management in both print magazines and newspapers, and received three quotes in May from EBSCO, Rivista, and WT Cox (See Attachment 2). Two of the bidders did not offer quotes for newspaper subscription as this was not a service they provide. Subsequently, EBSCO was selected as the preferred vendor as it provides management of both magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
The Library is requesting approval of a three-year contract with EBSCO Information Services for centralized management of the Library’s print magazine and newspaper subscriptions (See Attachment 1). Centralized management of these print subscriptions significantly reduces the staff time that would otherwise be required to coordinate provision of these materials to Library patrons.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Contract (EBSCO Information Services)
Attachment 2 – Quote Summary