Agenda

Return

C. 17

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	David Twa, County Administrator
Date:	November 12, 2019

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Support for Urban Libraries Council Statement on Equitable Public Access to E-Books

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 11/12/2019

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

L. DeLaney, 925-335-1097

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: November 12, 2019
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT a position of support for the Urban Libraries Council's Statement on Equitable Public Access to E-Books, as recommended by the County Librarian Melinda Cervantes.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact from this action of advocacy.

BACKGROUND:

On October 21, 2019 the Urban Libraries Council requested support from cities and counties for a statement to demonstrate support for public libraries in the fight for fair and equitable e-book pricing and access. According to the County Librarian, Melinda Cervantes, "Libraries may only purchase one copy per library during the first 8 weeks of new ebook/audiobook releases. The Library profession has taken the position that this negatively impacts the public’s access to information and limits access to only those who can afford to purchase ebooks. This is only the beginning of what could take hold with other ebook and downloadable audiobooks. Our ebook/audiobook circulation is rapidly growing and we are planning to significantly increase purchasing this year."

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

Since there is no policy or principle in the County's adopted State Legislative Platform related to this matter, and the October 30 deadline for signing on to the statement provided insufficient time for Board of

Supervisors consideration, the Chair of the Board utilized the "Urgency Action Protocol" adopted by the Board in 2008 (C.33, 4/22/08) to sign on to the statement. The Urgency Action Protocol provides authorization for the Chair of the Board to communicate a position prior to Board action, on his own letterhead, provided the Board takes action at its next meeting.

The statement signed by Chair Gioia is Attachment A.