SUNY2020

Governor Cuomo signed the landmark NYSUNY2020 legislation.  This is a “game-changing” initiative that links nicely with our efforts to promote the importance of higher education in New York’s economic future.

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Governor Cuomo’s August 17th veto of the Academic Research Information Access (ARIA) act, the most prominent object of NYSHEI advocacy, was unexpected.  Though disappointing, our near-miss has opened a door on new paths to continued progress.

**How Did We Get Here?
In its short history, ARIA gained the support of Governor Spitzer, the Commission on Higher Education, and twice won the unanimous bi-partisan support of the State Assembly and State Senate – even as the Senate changed its leadership five times.

After carefully addressing the concerns of Governor Paterson, ARIA grabbed the attention of the Cuomo administration. Numerous meetings were convened to discuss implementation.

Ultimately Governor Cuomo decided against ARIA as a function of the state Department of Economic Development.  The frantic and confusing reversal that resulted in the veto is itself a fascinating tale of political “sausage-making.”  However, frustration with the confluence of policy and politics cannot divert us from the result.

**The Future of State-Supported Collaboration.
Statutory change is not a pre-requisite of state supported collaboration for information resources.  Although ARIA fell short as currently constituted, the legislation was designed to serve two purposes.  First, it gave a tangible form to our idea thus allowing policy makers to identify, review, and understand the concept.  Second, it would have compelled the state to action.

While the latter goal suffered a defeat, the former achieved greater success than anticipated.  The importance of academic and research libraries are understood as never before and the challenges limiting the ability of the libraries to provide access to information is fully recognized.  The Cuomo Administration supports our aims, but insists the solution is a matter of procurement and collaboration, not economic development.

To facilitate a solution the Governor’s Office is directing the Office of General Services to examine the matter.  Under Commissioner Roann Destito – a former ARIA sponsor in the Assembly – OGS may be able to foster statewide, money-saving, collaborations.  Revisiting recommendations NYSHEI made to the state in February, we will specifically ask OGS to make regulatory changes to:
1)      Define information as a commodity rather than a service as it is currently;
2)      Double the dollar threshold for purchases that compel an extensive administrative process, and;
3)      Increase speed and flexibility in state procurements thus enabling greater collaboration between public and private institutions.

State funding will remain a goal of NYSHEI.

**Probable Fate of CIRA
NYSHEI developed the Clinical Information Resource Access (CIRA) act as a complement to ARIA.  Whereas ARIA sought support and funding in as an economic development initiative, CIRA sought support and funding as a health care initiative.

Introduced midway through the 2011 legislative session, CIRA astonished everyone by rocketing through the legislature with complete support of both parties in both houses.  CIRA now waits to be transmitted to the Governor.

Unfortunately, the wording of the ARIA veto seemingly obligates the Governor to veto CIRA.  I do not anticipate enactment of CIRA.  However, like ARIA, CIRA is a shortcut to our goals, not an essential component.  Given the rapid ascent of the idea, NYSHEI will immediately revive a push for health care information resources should we receive a veto.

There is an important difference between CIRA and ARIA.  While we were able to win support from the business community for ARIA, CIRA is both supported and strongly desired by the health care community.  Partnering with the Department of Health and other advocates, NYSHEI is optimistic about the ultimate fate of CIRA.  Of course, ARIA and CIRA are not the only advocacy goals of academic and research libraries.

**A Voice for Academic and Research Libraries
The immediate response of NYSHEI membership to the veto of ARIA has been remarkably supportive.  I am personally very thankful for the encouragement of continued NYSHEI efforts and recognition of our progress-to-date.

Despite our short history and limited resources, NYSHEI has pursued big goals.  We have not sought tweaks to state law but significant changes to the way New York obtains and accesses elite information resources.  Though final success has eluded us, we have made measureable progress.

Thank you for your continued support.  NYSHEI is proud to serve as the voice for your library.

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The Academic Research Information Access (ARIA) act now has the full approval of both houses of the State Legislature.  Shortly, ARIA will be transmitted to the Governor.  With his signature ARIA will be law.

On Monday, June 6, 2011 the State Assembly held a vote on ARIA.  With unanimous, bipartisan support ARIA was approved.  Three weeks prior ARIA won the unanimous, bipartisan support of the State Senate.  Having cleared the full legislature the bill will be transmitted to Governor Cuomo who will have ten days to sign or veto the act.

This is the second time ARIA cleared both houses of the Legislature.  However, in 2009 ARIA fell to a veto of Governor David Paterson who, in the “lame duck” phase of his term determined that he would make every effort to leave no loose ends for his successor.  So with kind compliments, Paterson vetoed ARIA, citing the potential for state expenses.

The expectation is that Governor Cuomo will indeed sign ARIA into law.  Under ARIA, Empire State Development would be responsible for implementation.  NYSHEI had already had planning meetings with ESD to prepare for realization of ARIA.  The bill is not expected to reach the Governor’s desk until late summer.

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NYSHEI has reached an agreement with Atlas Systems to make the Ares e-reserves management software available to NYSHEI members at an attractive consortial discount.

According to Dan Specht, Atlas Systems’ Chief Financial Officer, the agreement with NYSHEI restores to New York institutions a group purchasing program that was lost with the recent shutdown of NYLINK. “This agreement with NYSHEI retains the previous NYLINK pricing and includes the flexibility to increase the consortial discount as NYSHEI membership grows,” said Specht. “Atlas is pleased to have the opportunity to offer this discount to New York libraries, especially during these tight budget times.”

NYSHEI Director Jason Kramer commented, “We are always looking for ways to extend the services we provide to our members. Leveraging the size of our group into this consortial offering with Atlas Systems for their Ares software is a great example of what we can accomplish together.”

The Ares system automates library reserve services and provides robust copyright management, integration with a variety of e-Learning environments, and the ability to accept a wide variety of file formats. With Ares, faculty can manage their own reserve lists any time and anywhere through a user-friendly web interface. Students have 24/7 access to electronic reserves, with the ability to receive email or RSS feed notifications when faculty post reserve items. Reserve staff can create and edit classes, as well as post and remove reserve items.

Essentially, the agreement restores the 10 percent discount offered through Nylink and adds an extra 5 percent discount for NYSHEI members.  The added NYSHEI discount grows up to 10 percent with the participation of new subscribers.

Contact Dan Specht at Atlas or Jason Kramer at NYSHEI for more details.

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Under the leadership of Senator James Alesi (R,C,I – Perinton) the State Senate on May 17, 2011 approved ARIA by a vote of 61-0.

To call attention to the passage Senator Alesi issued the following press release and offered this video testimonial.

In a strong display of bi-partisanship, the New York State Senate today unanimously passed legislation introduced by Senator Jim Alesi (R, C, I – Perinton), that would enable public and private academic and research libraries in New York State to create an information infrastructure unequaled in the world.

Known as ARIA, the Academic Research Information Access Act (S.3736-A), leverages the state’s public and private higher education sector – arguably the largest and most diverse in the nation – to facilitate collaboration and efficiencies by providing for the voluntary pooling of assets in order to obtain access to high-end electronic, peer-reviewed, information resources such as journals, serials, and databases.

“New York is rich in highly recognized two-year and four-year, public and private, colleges and universities,” said Senator Alesi.  “ARIA will serve as a mechanism whereby our academic and research libraries can pool financial resources and electronic materials to implement a collaborative information infrastructure that will expand access to cutting-edge research, particularly in STEM studies: science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  Moreover, when fully implemented, ARIA will lower costs for colleges and universities, and small businesses, furthering innovation, entrepreneurialism and job creation.”

“For years, New York has sought to leverage its incredible academic sector to support economic growth.  ARIA does that, and does it in a way that actually saves dollars” said Jason Kramer, Executive Director, New York State Higher Education Initiative.  “I applaud Senator Alesi for securing passage of ARIA in the State Senate and for his leadership in bringing a thriving knowledge-based economy to Upstate New York.”

As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business, as well as a longtime member of the Senate Committee on Higher Education, Senator Alesi recognizes the dual impact that his legislation will have on education and business in New York State.

“For swift economic revitalization in New York, we must utilize our strengths, like our colleges and universities, yet access to STEM materials is increasing in demand and they are becoming more and more expensive,”
continued Senator Alesi.  “As a former business owner myself, experience demonstrates that vendors concede the greatest cost-savings when collective buying power is applied and when there is a single contract holder.  ARIA seizes on all these opportunities and offers a way to promote both campus-based research and off-campus job creation without adding new costs to taxpayers.”

“The Academic Research Information Access (ARIA) act is a perfect example of how collaboration among New York’s colleges and universities can support entrepreneurs, small business owners and community-based organizations. Pursuing statewide contracts and licenses of electronic information resources makes fiscal sense in these challenging times, and making cutting-edge information available to those outside of campus communities will support regional economic development,” said Laura L. Anglin, president of the Albany-based Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU), which represents 112 private, not-for-profit colleges and universities on higher education public policy issues.

Supported by CICU and endorsed by the New York State Commission on Higher Education, it is expected that ARIA will save SUNY between $7-9 million annually, CUNY between $2-3 million annually, and New York State’s independent colleges and universities between $5-15 million annually.

Electronic information resources account for 30 percent of the budgets at state academic and research libraries, amounting to nearly $160 million in recent years – nearly $500 million for all of New York’s academic and research libraries.  Over a four-year period, these resources have grown 42 percent; the prices of some journals have risen as much as 50 percent over the past five years, at a time when most campuses are undergoing budget cuts.

Due to the anticipated savings to colleges and universities – a preliminary survey of academic and research libraries demonstrates the average participant will enjoy a seven percent reduction in cost, and a ten percent increase in collection size – ARIA has garnered much support in higher education and business fields:

“The importance of university research in expanding New York’s innovation economy cannot be overstated.  ARIA will bring more aggregated research to entrepreneurs, university and private sector researchers, small businesses, and other stakeholders in New York’s innovation economy.  This legislation is an important building block for the state’s future tech-based economy.”
Brian McMahon, Executive Director, New York State Economic Development Council

“ARIA will help academic institutions and local firms to overcome economic barriers to access and support a state-wide strategy to ensure that a major share of the health industries’ future growth occurs in New York.”
Cristina A. Pope, Director, Health Sciences Library, Upstate Medical University

“ARIA leverages the considerable size of New York’s public and private higher education sector to create an information infrastructure that will support research, innovation and economic growth.  ARIA would allow New York to become a national leader by making cutting edge research in support of science, technology, engineering and medicine available to the widest audience practical, while providing necessary budget relief for institutions of higher learning and lowering the cost of business for our state’s entrepreneurs.”
Shirley Bower, Director of the Library and Manager of Digital Assets, Rochester Institute of Technology

“ARIA leverages the considerable size of New York’s public and private higher education sector to create an information infrastructure that will support research, innovation and economic growth.”
Chandra McKenzie, Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs, Rochester Institute of Technology

“In an era where all expenditures are looked at with a more critical eye, ARIA will increase the purchasing power of the higher education community and allow greater access to research databases for all New Yorkers.”
Ted Ciambor, Director of Libraries, Monroe Community College “ARIA, by supporting research in the fields of science, technology, medicine, and business, offers to establish in New York an information infrastructure unrivaled in the nation.”
Janice Kaplan, Director of the Library, The New York Academy of Medicine

“NYU’s President John Sexton has said that in the 21st century New York must be one of a handful of ‘idea capitals’ in the world.  If New York State is to meet that challenge, its citizens and students must have the sources of electronic information that drive ideas in the 21st century.
ARIA will make that possible.”
Dr. Michael Stoller, Director of Collections and Research Services, NYU

“An ARIA-empowered New York will level the playing field for all research libraries, both public and private, giving them true bargaining power and relieving budgets that are currently stressed beyond the breaking point.”
Angela Weiler, President, SUNY Librarians Association

“As New York strives to build an information age economy, New York needs ARIA.”
Anne Kenney, University Librarian, Cornell University

“The importance of ARIA cannot be understated.  Leveraging the STEM resources of our academic libraries for the benefit of small business is an idea whose time has come.  ARIA has the potential to spur innovation and research, as well as provide economies of scale by sharing resources more broadly across the state.”
Pamela McLaughlin, Director of Communications & External Relations, Syracuse University

“ARIA allows New York, like several other states and countries, to utilize the combined power of the public and private higher education sector to build a strong information infrastructure that will support economic development and research.  Perhaps uniquely, ARIA expands this leverage to include access for small businesses, giving them unprecedented access to information resources at greatly reduced costs.”
Stephanie Walker, Chief Librarian & Executive Director of Academic Information Technology, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

“Better and more accessible support for research – leading to innovation and economic stimulus, are goals of ARIA that should be achieved as ARIA helps maximize the return on investments made by libraries across NYS.”
Pearl Berger, Dean of Libraries, Yeshiva University

“Academic libraries are focused on successful graduates, productive faculty, and healthy communities.  The higher education libraries of New York enable through their resources, services and expertise the learning and scholarly vitality of the State, and the leadership, innovation and progress of its citizens and residents.  ARIA will enrich and extend this capacity in a cost-effective and energizing way, and position New York as a leader in the availability of quality electronic information.”
James Neal, Vice President for Information Services and University Librarian Columbia University

“ARIA will support research and business activities throughout New York while at the same time helping libraries to contain costs.  This piece of legislation is critical to the future of New York and will put New York on a competitive footing with other states that support research and business innovation.”
Bart Harloe, University Librarian, St. Lawrence University

“The passage of the ARIA legislation is beneficial for academic and research libraries and small businesses across New York State.  ARIA is one piece of a comprehensive State-wide information network fostering collaboration, resource sharing and economic efficiency across New York.”
Curtis L Kendrick, University Dean for Libraries and Information Resources, The City University of New York

“ARIA provides a platform for maximizing the collective buying power of New York libraries to expand the information resources available to New Yorkers.   ARIA is crucial if New York State is going to thrive in an
information and innovation economy.”
Patrick Callahan, Director, Purchase College Library

“ARIA is vital for making available high quality, readily accessible research resources for supporting state-wide innovation that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive, especially small businesses.”
Beverley Marcoline, Assistant Vice President for Library and Information Technology, Utica College

ARIA provides that the state pursue electronic research collections under the guidance of a volunteer advisory board representative of the academic and research library community.  This board will manage dealings with the publishers.  Upon agreement, the state will act as an aggregator of library funds – voluntarily offered – and serve as the single contract holder.  The participating institutions will gain needed budget relief through the collective buying power of all participating partners.  In turn, the state will stipulate that contracts for the information resources provide access to qualified emerging technology companies, thus lowering their cost of doing business.

The beneficiaries of these information resources will operate primarily in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  Access to ARIA resources will be available to all participating researchers, scholars, faculty and students at member and associated institutions of the New York State Higher Education Initiative, as well as other participating institutions registered by the State Education Department Office of College and University Evaluation (OCUE).

Access to ARIA resources will also be available to researchers, entrepreneurs, other innovators existing in business incubators aligned with the State Higher Education Initiative member and associated institutions, as well as available to recipients of grants through the State Department of Economic Development and the Empire State Development Corporation. Other beneficiaries include businesses with fifty or fewer employees, which otherwise meet the definition of a qualified merging technology company, as defined by paragraph (c) of subdivision one of section thirty-one hundred two-e of the public authorities law.

ARIA was among the recommendations of the Governor’s Commission on Higher Education in its 2008 Final Report.  The direction and focus of ARIA is reflected in the final reports of the Governor’s 2009 Task Force on Diversifying the New York State Economy, the 2009 report, “Building New York City’s Innovation Economy” by the Center for an Urban Future, the 2007 A.T. Kearney report commissioned by Empire State Development, and the 2007 “Investing in Innovation” report by the National Governor’s Association and the Pew Foundation Center on the States, among others.

ARIA is awaiting action in the State Assembly.

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The SUNY Council of Library Directors approved a new strategic plan at the April 15th SCLD Spring Conference.

“The Power of SUNY Libraries: A Strategic Plan for 2011- 2014” was developed by the SUNY Council of Library Directors, with input from the SUNY Librarians Association, the SUNY Office of Library and Information Services and other library stakeholders.  Feedback from the “Power of Tuesdays” 2010 Webinar series was also incorporated.

Closely aligned with The Power of SUNY, the SUNY libraries strategic plan promises to play a pivotal role in advancing SUNY imperatives throughout the State of New York.  Through collaboration and with a focus on student learning and community engagement, this plan guides SUNY libraries as we provide quality services and strive to “expand access to emerging and recorded knowledge in support of teaching, learning, research, economic development and public service.”

The Power of SUNY Libraries
A Strategic Plan for 2011- 2014

Big Ideas:

ONE VISION — SUNY libraries will work together to provide quality services and to expand access to emerging and recorded knowledge in support of teaching, learning, research, economic development and public service.

ONE VOICE – SUNY libraries will communicate and collaborate to articulate the pivotal role of libraries and information in the knowledge economy that is transforming the State of New York, its colleges, universities and communities.

SHARED EXPERTISE – SUNY libraries will collaborate to maximize the impact of talent, specialized training and depth of knowledge for the creation of a robust information network for the people of the State of New York.

SHARED RESOURCES – SUNY libraries will continually implement and objectively evaluate innovative strategies, policies and procedures that will optimize mutual access to the information resources of all SUNY libraries.

ONE VISION –

SUNY libraries will work together to provide quality services and to expand access to emerging and recorded knowledge in support of teaching, learning, research, economic development and public service.

SUNY libraries will develop and promote SUNYConnect in order to expand access to resources.

SUNY libraries will develop and nurture inspirational leaders who create an entrepreneurial and versatile workforce that identifies and responds to emerging trends in the knowledge economy.

SUNY libraries will take a leadership role in ensuring that all students are information literate.

ONE VOICE –

SUNY libraries will communicate and collaborate to articulate the pivotal role of libraries and information in the knowledge economy that is transforming the State of New York, its colleges, universities, and communities.

SUNY libraries will work actively with public and private sectors of higher education, New York State Higher Education Initiative (NYSHEI), the New York State Library, public libraries and other state agencies to influence public policy on information and information access.

SUNY libraries will lead in the use of current technologies to enhance statewide and regional communication. SUNY library leadership groups will promote agile decision making in support of SUNY strategic planning and institutional change.

SUNY libraries will develop centralized, shareable communication to brand and market our resources.

SUNY libraries will work with SUNY Chief Academic Officers, SUNY Business Officers, SUNY Chief Information Officers, and other constituent groups to identify and resolve issues of mutual concern.

SHARED EXPERTISE –

SUNY libraries will collaborate to maximize the impact of talent, specialized training and depth of knowledge for the creation of a robust information network for the people of the State of New York.

SUNY libraries will leverage their talents to lead and share innovations in support of teaching and learning and to foster economic development and lifelong learning.

SUNY libraries will encourage affinity-based groups to develop initiatives of mutual interest that support multiple campuses.

SUNY libraries will capitalize on both existing and potential partnerships SUNY libraries will support the expanding roles of librarians.

SUNY libraries will seek opportunities to collaborate with other New York State public and private-sector libraries.

SHARED RESOURCES –

SUNY libraries will continually implement and objectively evaluate innovative strategies, policies and procedures that will optimize mutual access to the information resources and scholarly output of all SUNY.

SUNY libraries will acquire and provide access to resources in support of excellence in SUNY teaching, learning, research and public service.

SUNY libraries will take an active role in scholarly communication to facilitate research at state, national, and global levels.

SUNY libraries will model innovation in 21st century information management and access.

SUNY libraries will pursue strategies that lead to an efficient information infrastructure that facilitates access to the diversity of SUNY resources.

SUNY libraries will pursue strategic partnerships to enhance services and collections.

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The annual gathering of the NYSHEI membership is set for June 7, 2011 at Iona College in New Rochelle.

Attendance is offered to all library staff of NYSHEI member insitutions and includes lunch and refreshments.

The theme of the day, “Driving Change” brings a focus to NYSHEI’s efforts to better connect academic and research libraries to policy making, the state economy, and our greater community.  Please join us to hear from experts in technology based economic development, advocacy, marketing, and the important role of higher education in innovation as well as scholarship.

Register online today.

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The New York State Higher Education Initiative is committed to the development of an information infrastructure that secures access to information resources for all New Yorkers.

While our efforts focus on those information resources needed for higher education, research, economic and workforce development in New York State, stand with the broader library community in asking Governor Cuomo and the state legislature to reject any cuts in state aid to libraries .

Library Aid has already been cut five times in the last three year for a total reduction of 18 percent.  The proposed 2011-2011 executive budget would again  reduce funding for libraries, dropping total state support to their lowest level since 1994.

The severity of these cuts is extraordinary, and disproportionate to the budget crisis and detrimental to the immense value provided by libraries.  Therefore, in solidarity with our colleagues in the greater library community, academic and research librarians oppose the proposed cuts and seek their rejection.

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After shepherding the process among a coalition of more than 20 groups, NYSHEI today sent a letter to the New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries.  The letter asks the Regents Advisory Council (RAC) to recognize and act on the importance of academic and research libraries.

“This unified stand is the result of broad collaboration.  We all represent very different groups with – often – very different missions.  However, because each of us is committed to the practice of collaboration we are able to act with one voice on matters of common interest,” said NYSHEI Executive Director Jason Kramer.

Developed at the second annual summit of organizations for academic and research libraries and librarians, the letter secured the support of the groups who felt they could legally and ethically take a public stand.

The full text of the letter is below.

As the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries takes the initial steps towards developing foundational recommendations of what may become the Board of Regents statewide policy on libraries, we, the undersigned, on behalf of our organizations, urge you to be mindful of the immense contributions, vitality, and importance of New York’s academic and research libraries.

The July 2000 final report of the Regents Commission on Library Services made ten specific recommendations, only one of which mentioned academic and research libraries.  We believe that a singular recommendation, which held at the fore a call to promote access to these libraries rather than enhance support for them, understates both the value and needs of academic and research libraries.

The electronic and information revolution that is reshaping our world casts these libraries – both public and private – into the necessary role of serving as the information infrastructure that will maintain innovation, research, and discovery in the twenty-first century.  Needed economic growth and sustenance of a skilled workforce will have its roots in the information resources of these libraries.

In the weeks and months ahead we will individually and collectively share data and proposals that illustrate the dynamism of academic libraries.  Our hope is that the Regents Advisory Council will join us in working for improvements to empower our libraries to better serve our state and community.  Similarly we offer ourselves to answer any questions or provide any background information that would aid the efforts of the Regents Advisory Council.

Thank you for your consideration.  We look forward to collaborating to ensure that the next Regents statewide policy on libraries better reflects the worth and contributions of academic and research libraries.

Respectfully,

Carrie Marten, President, Association of College and Research Libraries – New York Chapter

Elaine Lasda Bergman, Vice President, Academic and Special Libraries Section, NYLA

Bart Harloe, Director, ConnectNY

Pamela R. Gillespie, Chair, CUNY Council of Chief Librarians

Francesca Livermore, President, Eastern New York Chapter, ACRL

Edwin Rivenburgh, Executive Director, IDS Project

Tracy Thompson-Przylucki, Executive Director, New England Law Library Consortium

John Shaloiko, New York 3Rs Association

Marcia Eggleston, President, New York Library Association

Charling Fagan, Chair, NYS Higher Education Initiative

Maryruth Glogowski, Chair, SUNY Council of Library Directors

Angela Weiler, President, SUNY Librarians Association

Amelia Birdsall, President, Upstate New York Special Libraries Association

David Nichols, President, WALDO

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NYSHEI Executive Director Jason Kramer has an article in the recent edition of the Journal of Collaborative Librarianship.  Titled, “Nontraditional Partnerships in Pursuit of the Information Infrastructure,” the article describes NYSHEI’s evolvution as an advocacy organization.

The Journal is sponsored by the Colorado Academic Library Consortium, the Colorado Library Consortium, the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries, Regis University, and University of Denver.

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