The AIRS Committee

Consisting of members from academic, public, school, and special libraries, the AIRS committee is dedicated to pursuing equitable pricing on and widespread access to research databases for the citizens of Colorado.

AIRS Committee Charge

The AIRS Committee is charged with selecting, negotiating, implementing and ensuring the success of contracts and licenses for information resources on behalf of all types of Colorado libraries and to the benefit of all Colorado residents.

Duties:

  • Make policy recommendations regarding statewide database contracts and licenses to the State Library.
  • Using formal and informal needs assessments as appropriate, identify potential databases of interest and use to Colorado libraries of all types.
  • Define a profile of information resources desired by Colorado libraries.
  • Select information resources that can be pilot tested for potential interest and use by Colorado libraries.
  • Negotiate contracts and licenses for statewide information resources that can be sustained cooperatively by participating libraries and the State Library and other partnering organizations.
  • Advise and assist the State Library and other entities in publicizing the availability of statewide licensed information resources for libraries to acquire.
  • In conjunction with the State Library and other entities, evaluate use of information resources.
  • Develop funding and cost formulas for information resources.
  • Work closely with Amigos and other entities contracting for group licenses/contracts on behalf of Colorado libraries.
  • Apply for grants as necessary to increase availability of information resources.
  • Report regularly to the State Library.
  • Advise and assist the State Library and other entities in educating libraries in best practices for publicizing statewide licensed information resources to their patrons.
  • Advisory Task Forces will be appointed by AIRS as needed to advise the AIRS Committee on specific issues.

Composition of the AIRS Committee:

The committee will be comprised of nine to eleven members. Five to seven members will be appointed by the Director of the State Library to renewable three-year terms.

These members shall broadly represent the interests of academic, public, school and special libraries, and may be librarians or others. The following entities will have permanent representation on the AIRS Committee:

  • Colorado State Library
  • Amigos Library Services
  • Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries (Alliance)
  • Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC)

The Director of the State Library will appoint a chair of the Committee from among the committee members to a renewable one year term.

Duties of the AIRS Committee Chair:

  • Call 4 to 6 meetings a year and set the meeting agenda.
  • With input from the committee, identify tasks and establish timelines for accomplishment.
  • Serve as the primary contact with information resource providers for sales and marketing activities.
  • Serve as the committee’s primary contact with participating libraries regarding questions of pricing policy.
  • Represent the AIRS Committee to other entities and forums.

Assistance to the AIRS Committee:

While the AIRS Committee will take the lead in statewide database contracts, licenses, and implementation, it is expected that assistance will be provided from other agencies and library organizations. These include but are not limited to:

  • Amigos Library Services
  • Colorado State Library
  • Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC)
  • Marmot Library Network
  • Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries (Alliance)
  • AIRS Advisory Task Force and subcommittees

Role of Various Organizations and Agencies:

  • Amigos Library Services will:
    • Serve as fiscal agent for the project, including signing the contracts, invoicing libraries, receiving payment from libraries, and paying vendors.
    • Maintain statistics used to allocate costs, with the help of other AIRS Committee members.
    • Coordinate with State Library on publicity about the availability of information resources statewide.
    • Coordinate with State Library as appropriate when contacted by libraries and vendors, but serve as the primary contact concerning operational questions about contracts, invoices, payments and support.
    • Communicate with information resource providers for sales and marketing activities.
  • The Colorado State Library will:
    • Approve policy, provide oversight, and appoint the AIRS Committee members.
    • Assist in identifying potential information resources of interest and use to Colorado libraries of all types, using formal and informal needs assessments as appropriate.
    • Coordinate with Amigos on publicity about the availability of information resources statewide.
    • Coordinate with Amigos as appropriate when contacted by libraries and vendors
  • CLiC, Marmot, and Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries will:
    • Provide education and training opportunities to member libraries.
    • Assist in identifying potential information resources of interest and use to Colorado libraries of all types, using formal and informal needs assessments as appropriate.
    • Refer questions to the appropriate agency.
  • Advisory Task Force and other task forces will be appointed by AIRS to:
    • Advise the AIRS Committee.
    • Be given assignments as necessary and appropriate.

Funding of the AIRS Committee:

  • Travel costs of the AIRS Committee members to meetings will be paid by the State Library.
  • Operating costs which are incurred by Amigos as fiscal agent will be paid by a reasonable surcharge on all contracts.