Enacts the "New York state comprehensive information system act"

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing the state library to coordinate the purchase of electronic databases or other information resources for state agencies, libraries and other governmental entities

Purpose

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 creating an environment conducive to learning, research and innovation. The coordination of the selection and purchase of these resources by the state 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 and its libraries to enact the New York State Comprehensive Information system (NYSCIS) Act.

Summary of provisions

Amends Section 286 of the Education Law to:

1) Create the New York State Comprehensive Information system (NYSCIS).

2) Participants - entities permitted to participate in NYSCIS are state agencies, library systems and their member libraries, authorities and other local governmental entities.

3) State contracts - state agencies are required to coordinate their procurement for information resources through the state library or its designee.

4) Resource selection - the state library shall create an advisory committee representative of participants who will be tasked with the selection of information resources to be included in NYSCIS.

5) Administration - the state library or its designee shall administer NYSCIS and be permitted to recoup expenses for coordinating these collaborative purchasing agreements.

6) Effective date - six months after it shall become law.

Justification

The State of New York and its 4,000 libraries (public, school and college) spend millions of dollars annually purchasing subscriptions to online databases and other types of electronic resources from private vendors. Pricing varies widely depending on the purchaser and size of subscriptions. By authorizing the State Library to coordinate and negotiate the purchase of these subscriptions on behalf of eligible participating entities, and State Library can obtain lower prices and greater access to these online research tools. Initial savings would range from several hundred thousand to millions of dollars over a few years, depending on the number entities participating.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

Substantial savings to state and local governments.

Effective date

This act shall take effect six months after becoming law.