Comprehensive Information System

News From New York State
Senator Shirley L. Huntley
For Immediate Release: May 9, 2011
Contact: Bryant G. Gaspard| gaspard@nysenate.gov | (518) 455-3531

Senate Passes Taxpayer-Savings Bill to Create
New York State Comprehensive Information System

‘Common sense’ legislation will save State millions; streamline information procurement system

In an effort to bring real cost saving to taxpayers, Senator Shirley L. Huntley (D-Jamaica) and the New York State Senate passed legislation (S. 3297) to create the New York State Comprehensive Information System (NYSCIS), a centralized procurement effort to purchase electronic databases and other information resources for state agencies and libraries.

Currently, the state’s 4,000 libraries, which include public libraries and those found in schools and on college campuses, as well as agencies and other local governmental entities individually license and purchase databases and other information resources.

“Around the state we talk a lot about being the Empire State once again – and one of the most important aspects of this process is education,” said Senator Huntley. “Our state must encourage our citizens to participate in education, research and innovation, and this bill increases the affordability of each of these during difficult economic times.”

Millions of dollars are spent annually purchasing these subscriptions from private vendors.  Under the new legislation, the State Library will be authorized to coordinate the purchase of electronic databases or other information resources for state agencies, libraries and other governmental entities, which will result in lower overhead and subscription costs to taxpayers.

The Queens Library system is one of the largest in the United States by circulation and size of collections having loaned around 20 million plus items in recent years.  The central library in Jamaica, Queens which is part of Senator Huntley’s district has circulated around 2 million items most recently. The ability for the Queens Library system to receive resources from the State Library system will result in increased circulation at a lower cost.

The use and importance of libraries has increased due to a struggling and fragile economy that has allowed patrons to use it as a resource to find employment, learn new skills, and experience workshops and other academic tools. 

The senator continued, “We are not only creating a more efficient way for New York’s libraries and State agencies to consolidate their efforts when executing purchase agreements for vital electronic databases, but we are doing so in a cost-effective manner. Savings to the state will be in the millions – so for once, taxpayers are paying less, but getting more.

The state library will create an advisory committee representative of participants who will be tasked with the selection of information resources to be included in NYSCIS.

Additional news available at http://huntley.nysenate.gov and facebook.com/Shirley L. Huntley
New York State Senate Email | shuntley@nysenate.gov | (518) 455-3531