April 22, 2025
Library and Community Services
DATE: April 22, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager of Community
Services
Kate Eppler, Deputy Director of Community Services –
Library
Christopher Larsen, Library Services Manager
Subject:
Contract with OverDrive, Inc. with Libby Application for eBooks
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The contract total amount of up to $450,000 (not to exceed $150,000 annually for the three-year term), is
supported by the Library operating budget (Account
String: 01242155-400263 and 01242755-400262).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Library seeks approval of a sole source contract with OverDrive, Inc., for access to the Libby platform and
purchase of e-books. OverDrive’s Libby service provides patrons with access to a curated library of e-books and digital magazines.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE a sole-source contract with OverDrive, Inc., for an amount not to exceed $450,000, for a three-year
term beginning January 10, 2025, and ending January 9,
2028, to provide Library patrons free access to the Libby application for digital e-books and magazines -
Community Services Department (Kate Eppler 510-620-
5452/Christopher Larsen 510-620-5524).
DISCUSSION:
AGENDA
REPORT
April 22, 2025
OverDrive, Inc., is the sole proprietary owner of the Libby e-book application, which provides Library patrons with access to a wide selection of electronic books and magazines. The Library selects books for the Libby service through a variety of licensing models offered by OverDrive.
OverDrive, Inc. was founded in 1986 with a mission to deliver content in new and innovative ways, evolving from digitizing law books to distributing e-books on floppy diskettes. As the possibilities of the internet and digital books grew through the 1990s, Overdrive launched its content distribution service in 2000 and the first digital lending platform for libraries in 2003.
Over the years, OverDrive has established long-term, trusted relationships with publishers, libraries and school partners around the world, and is said to offer the largest digital content catalog in the world to more than 92,000 libraries and schools in 115 countries.
The Richmond Library has provided access to OverDrive e-books for over twelve years.
The Library also has a lending agreement with the West Contra Costa Unified School District that lends Library-licensed children’s and young adult materials through the District’s OverDrive Sora subscription. The Library remains committed to providing this convenient, all-ages service as use and interest continues to increase.
Libby e-books continue to see increased use among patrons and will be an important means of access to a wider range of materials during the renovation of the Main Library.
The Library therefore seeks approval of an annual amount not to exceed $150,000 per year, and $450,000 over the three-year term of the contract, to allow greater access to these materials.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Original Contract
Attachment 2 – Sole Source