Montréal approves three-year library database deal

Summary#

Montréal city council unanimously approved a three-year contract with BiblioPresto.ca to renew the Eureka.cc digital database subscription for libraries in all 19 boroughs. The goal, according to city staff, is to keep this information service available to library users.

  • The contract runs from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028, for up to $409,161.88, taxes included.
  • The city awarded the contract directly to BiblioPresto.ca, identified as the sole supplier. The council also approved a draft licence setting the subscription’s terms.
  • The database includes newspapers, magazines, press releases, radio and TV transcripts, news websites, and social media content.

What it means for you#

  • Library users: The subscription provides access to Eureka.cc through libraries in all 19 boroughs, both in person and remotely. The materials do not state whether users pay a fee.
  • City taxpayers: The city centre will pay the full cost through the library division of the Culture department.

Money#

The approved maximum cost is $409,161.88, taxes included, over three years.

  • The staff summary lists annual totals, taxes included, of $133,693.16 for 2026, $136,371.39 for 2027, and $139,097.33 for 2028.
  • Staff say the subscription price increases by 2% each year; administrative fees of $60 for 2026 and $65 for each of 2027 and 2028 are also listed.

What is unclear#

  • The approved resolution does not include the licence’s full terms, including the exact cancellation rules.
  • The resolution does not require the annual usage and content review described in the staff summary; staff say the committee will review these each year.

Case for#

  • A possible argument for renewal is that it continues access to a broad collection of news and reference material for library users.
  • City staff say group purchasing through BiblioPresto.ca brings economies of scale, and that some content is available only through Eureka.cc.

Case against#

  • One concern is that the cost rises each year while the staff summary reports fewer database sessions in each year from 2020 through 2024.
  • The council approved a three-year maximum cost, but the resolution does not set out the licence terms or how the city would act on the annual reviews described by staff.