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Library Department recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement with Califa Group, a California public benefit corporation, for a term beginning July 1, 2021, with provisions for automatic annual renewal thereafter, for high-speed broadband Internet service to the County’s libraries in an estimated annual amount of $45,000 ($4,500 after estimated E-rate discounts).
FUNDING: 48% General Fund, 52% Library Special Revenue Funds and Library Fees.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Library has been selected to continue to participate in the state-subsidized, high-speed broadband program entitled the California Public Library Broadband Project. This program is being managed by Califa, a library nonprofit funded partially by the California State Library.
The Library Director recommends the Board approve this Agreement with Califa Group for the provision of ongoing high-speed Internet services for each of the County’s six (6) library branches.
In 2014 the California State Legislature approved funding for a three-year project to connect California public libraries to the California Research and Education Network, CalREN. CalREN is a high-capacity fiber optic network operated by the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC). CalREN has over 20 million users, including the majority of K-12 schools, community colleges, and California universities. In addition to connecting libraries to CalREN, the State Legislature also approved $4 million for grants to purchase equipment needed for important upgrades to library infrastructure. Working with CENIC and Califa, the El Dorado County Library has the opportunity to upgrade and become a key resource for researchers, business people, students, and entrepreneurs.
CENIC benefits its partners because of its bargaining power across the state. It is able to negotiate favorable contracts with Internet Service Providers as well as hardware providers. CENIC also benefits the...
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