State Funding for Academic Electronic Content
"I am writing on behalf of the Steering Committee of the New York State Higher Education Initiative, a collaborative effort for the enhancement of research and educational resources at academic libraries across the State. Working since March, 2001 with the full endorsement of the CUNY and SUNY library directors as well as the expressed support of more than 60 independent colleges in New York State, the Steering Committee is well on its way to creating a formal, logical infrastructure that will support statewide collaboration among all New York academic libraries, both public and private." Marsha Ra, Director of CUNY's Office of Library Services, in a letter to State Librarian Janet Welch
Academic institutions in New York State have felt rather slighted by recent initiatives to improve funding for libraries. It seems that public and school libraries have benefitted, while college and university libraries have been largely ignored. The Provost of the State University of New York, Peter D. Salins, has led an effort to correct this perceived imbalance, notably, to obtain more state funding for the purchase of electronic content for NY state academic institutions, both public and private. If state funding were forthcoming, it could free both CUNY and Brooklyn College dollars for use for new e-collections.
In February 2002 what has become known as the Higher Education Initiative will move from a steering committee model to a board of directors (with two CUNY representatives). The board will develop by-laws, a strategic plan, and a financial plan, as well as hire a project manager. The University's central office will pay the membership fees for all CUNY libraries. One product of great interest to academic libraries in New York State is Web of Science http://www.isinet.com/isi/products/citation/wos/–that product alone would make CUNY's participation in the Higher Education Initiative worthwhile.
