Contra Costa County Library System

Profile narrative

The Contra Costa County Library System, also known as CCC Library System, provides free access to a broad range of informational and recreational resources for the public. Its core services include lending physical items such as books, magazines, DVDs, and audiobooks across its network of branches. In addition to physical collections, the system offers digital lending platforms like Overdrive for e‑books and audiobooks, and the Discover & Go program that supplies museum and cultural venue passes to cardholders. Patrons can also use public computers, wireless internet, and attend educational programs, storytimes, and community events hosted at the libraries. The organization’s mission is to support lifelong learning, literacy, and community engagement for all residents of Contra Costa County.

The library system operates 26 branches spread throughout the county, ensuring geographic coverage for urban, suburban, and rural communities. During the ransomware incident on January 3, 2020, the organization reported network outages that affected all branches, yet physical checkout services remained functional because staff could still process transactions using library cards. While the attack disrupted certain backend systems, the library’s virtual services such as Overdrive and Discover & Go continued to operate without interruption, demonstrating redundancy in its digital infrastructure. Officials responded by taking affected servers offline, collaborating with law enforcement and IT specialists, and gradually restoring partial functionality while maintaining regular branch operations. The incident highlighted the library’s reliance on both physical and digital service channels to meet patron needs.

The Contra Costa County Library System distinguishes itself through its emphasis on protecting patron privacy; it collects names, addresses, and birth dates but does not store Social Security numbers, credit card information, or driver’s license details, having previously purged the latter from its records. Following the ransomware attack, the organization confirmed that its patron database server remained unaffected and that there was no evidence of compromised personal data, reflecting its data segregation and security practices. As a department of Contra Costa County government, the library operates under the oversight of the County Board of Supervisors and receives funding allocated through the county budget. This governmental affiliation provides the system with a stable institutional base and aligns its operations with broader county public service objectives.

Incidents

1 incident linked to this organisation.