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Library Department recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 6735 with Columbia Telecommunications Corporation, the Statewide Broadband Access Administer for the California State Library Broadband Services Project, for a retroactive term beginning July 19, 2022 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 Columbia Telecommunications Corporation dba CTC Technology and Energy, funded partially by the California State Library. CTC, on behalf of the California State Library, has contracted with the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) and its subsidiaries to provide high speed networking to libraries in California. CTC, acting as the administrative arm of the California State Library for this project, develops contracts with participating libraries for data circuits and use of the CalREN high-capacity fiber optic network. CTC is the new Statewide Broadband Access Administrator for the California State Library Broadband Services Project, replacing Califa Group to negotiate discount rates for technology purchases on behalf of member libraries, and manage statewide projects on behalf of the California State Library.
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 ov...
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