Enacts the "New York state comprehensive information system act"

9 Co-sponsors

• Marcus Molinaro
• Michael Montesano
• Gary Finch
• Ginny Fields
• Frank Skartados
• Inez Barron
• Brian Kavanagh
• Mike Spano
• David McDonough

12 Multi-sponsors

• William A. Barclay
• Nancy Calhoun
• Nelson Castro
• Jane Corwin
• Stephen Hawley
• Brian Kolb
• Nettie Mayersohn
• Thomas McKevitt
• Ann Rabbitt
• Joseph Saladino
• Teresa Sayward
• David Townsend

BILL NUMBER:A10246

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing the state library, in conjunction with the office for tech- nology, to coordinate the purchase of electronic databases or other information resources for state agencies, libraries and other govern- mental entities

Purpose or general idea of bill

To provide a framework for encouraging improved economies of scale and cost efficiencies in the purchase of information services by state government, libraries and local govern- ments.

Summary of specific provisions

This legislation would amend section 286 of the Education Law to create the New York State Comprehensive Informa- tion system (NYSCIS) to be administered by the NYS Library in conjunc- tion with the New York State Office for Technology (NYSOFT) for the purposes of enabling a collaborative and cost-effective approach to the procurement of electronic databases and other information services.

Entities which would be permitted to participate in NYSCIS would include state agencies, library systems and their member libraries, authorities and other local governmental entities. Under the legislation, state agencies would be required to coordinate the procurement of information resources through the State Library, in conjunction with NYSOFT, or their designee.

The State Library, in conjunction with NYSOFT, would be further charged with the responsibility of establishing an advisory committee represen- tative of participants who would be tasked with the selection of infor- mation resources to be included in NYSCIS. The State Library, in conjunction with NYSOFT, or their designee, would be authorized to recoup expenses for NYSCIS for coordinating these collaborative purchas- ing agreements.

Justification

State agencies and the libraries of New York individually license and purchase electronic databases and other information resources. Access to information is not only vital to the functioning of our democracy, but also to building our economy and creating an environment conducive to learning, research and innovation. The coordination of the selection and purchase of these resources by the NYS Library would result in greater efficiencies and cost savings for the public and foster improved access to information across the state. Therefore, it is in the best interests of the state libraries and local governments to enact the New York State Comprehensive Information system (NYSCIS) Act.

Prior legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

The New York State Library Association advises that the State of New York and its 4,000

libraries (public, school and college) spend millions of dollars annual- ly purchasing subscriptions to online databases and other types of elec- tronic resources from private vendors. Pricing varies widely depending on the purchaser and size of subscriptions. By authorizing the State Library (in conjunction with the NYS Office for Technology) to coordi- nate and negotiate the purchase of these subscriptions, both the state and eligible participating entities could obtain lower prices and great- er access to these online research tools. Initial savings could range from several hundred thousand to millions of dollars over several years, depending on the number of entities participating.

Effective date

This act would take effect six months after it has become a law.