Agenda

Return

C. 63

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Alison McKee, County Librarian
Date:	June 22, 2021

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Accept Funds from City of San Pablo for Wi-Fi Hotspots at San Pablo Library

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 06/22/2021

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:

Walt Beveridge 925-608-7730

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: June 22, 2021
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Librarian, or designee, to execute a cost-sharing agreement with the City of San Pablo in an amount not to exceed $19,000 to purchase Wi-Fi hotspots for use by patrons of the San Pablo Library for the period July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The City of San Pablo has agreed to a 50/50 cost share venture with the County, with the City paying up to $9,500 (i.e., if 50 devices are obtained at the cost of $19,000, then the City will pay 50% of the cost of the hotspots up to $9,500 and the County will pay 50% up to $9,500). The acquisition price also includes (i) Monthly data, and (ii) protective cases for each device for a period of one year. The County's portion of the one-time purchase will be funded using the Library Fund.

BACKGROUND:

The Contra Costa County Library Services Wi-Fi Hot Spot Device Lending Program ("Program"), launched in February 2021, has proven to be successful in offering Wi-Fi hotspots for checkout and providing internet access to families and library patrons who don’t have an internet connection at home. The Program provides for Franklin T9 Hotspot Wi-Fi Device with a T-Mobile cellular plan as described in the agreement

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

documents. Under the current Program, the majority of hotspots are available to be checked out countywide; a small number of hotspots are dedicated to branches located in disproportionally impacted communities, in a walk-up capacity.

The City of San Pablo (“City”) expressed interest in further expanding the Program at the San Pablo Library, with a partnership to purchase additional hotspots dedicated for use by San Pablo Library patrons with the goal of addressing ongoing disparities with digital inclusion, digital literacy and wireless connectivity in an underserved community. Additionally, expansion of the Program at the San Pablo Library addresses technological disparities faced by San Pablo students (K-12); inconsistent internet connectivity leaves the students unable to navigate daily online and distance learning programs provided by local schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If not approved the San Pablo Library will not have the additional Wi-Fi hotspots to lend to the San Pablo community.