NYSHEI News

NYSHEI is looking for a few good geeks.

In recent months traffic at www.nyshei.org has grown considerably. Now, it needs your help to reach its full potential.

If you have an ability in electronic communications, a desire to collaborate and experiment with colleagues, or an interest in writing, please email Jason Kramer at kramerj@nyshei.org. Mention “Web Team” in the subject line.

NYSHEI hopes to assembly a team of web resources who can help elevate the NYSHEI website into a relevant and lively communications hub for New York’s academic library community. This website can be, and should be, a unique commons for librarians at large, small, public and private institutions. Please help us reach that goal.

For more information please email kramerj@nyshei.org.

In distinct actions the New York State Senate and Assembly passed Legislative Resolutions honoring NYSHEI.

With unanimous support, Senator Jim Alesi (R-Rochester), Chair of the Senate Economic Development Commitee, and Assembly Member Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan), Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, passed resolutions heralding the work of NYSHEI. Both resolutions passed in time for the NYSHEI Annual Meeting, where Executive Director Jason Kramer presented engrossed copies to outgoing NYSHEI Chair Louise Sherby, incoming NYSHEI Chair Gary Thompson, and event host Sabrina Pape.

Here is the full text of the resolutions.

Whereas, it is a privilege of this Assembled Body to commend the New York State Higher Education Initiative (NYSHEI) on the occasion of the organization’s Fifth Anniversary; and

Whereas, NYSHEI is a member-driven, not-for-profit organization comprised of the leaders of the New York State’s academic and research library community; and

Whereas, NYSHEI is a model of public-private partnership whose members represent the libraries of the New York State and New York City public universities, the state’s leading private and independent higher educational institutions, the New York State Library and the New York City Public Library; and

Whereas, Academic libraries are the heart of New York’s public and private colleges and universities, institutions renowned as intellectual and cultural leaders, whose research and academic mission provides integral support for the state economy; and

Whereas, The students, residents, faculty and businesses of the state are benefited by the strength of New York’s academic libraries; and

Whereas, NYSHEI fosters collaboration among academic libraries to enhance research and educational resources; it facilitates access to collections and assists New York’s member instititutions to address changing models of scholarly communication; and

Whereas, NYSHEI promotes innovation through collaboration with off-campus public and private resources and organizations; and

Whereas, NYSHEI continually strives to achieve its primary mission, to provide access to the broadest array of information to all New Yorker in the most efficient manner; and

Whereas, NYSHEI recognizes the responsibility of its mission, particularly in an information age where the state economy and individual opportunity are intrinsically tied to ready access to current and correct information; and

Whereas, New York State recognizes that increased research drives the economic prospects of the Empire State; and

Whereas, New York further recognizes the vital service of academic and research libraries, as keepers of our collective information infrastructure; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to applaud the efforts of the NYSHEI and congratulate the group on the occasion of its Fifth Anniversary; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the New York State Higher Education Initiative.

NYSHEI is most grateful to the NYS Legislature, Senator Alesi and Assemby Member Glick for their support and friendship.

The Fifth NYSHEI Annual Meeting is in the history books. Seventy-seven stalwart NYSHEI supporters braved the pouring rain to make the day a rousing success.

Special thanks are owed to Thomson, the top sponsor of NYSHEI events for the fifth straight year, Elsevier, Apple and CSA ProQuest. Without their assistance the day would not have been possible.

Sabrina Pape and the Vassar College staff deserve recognition for their work as event hosts.

Presentations and other information from the meeting will be posted later this week. Until then, please enjoy a few photos from the day.