COSLA Profiles

COSLA is an independent organization of the chief officers of state and territorial agencies designated as the state library administrative agency and responsible for statewide library development. Its purpose is to identify and address issues of common concern and national interest; to further state library agency relationships with federal government and national organizations; and to initiate cooperative action for the improvement of library services to the people of the United States.

Its membership consists solely of these top library officers of the states and territories, variously designated as state librarian, director, commissioner or executive secretary. It provides a continuing mechanism for dealing with the problems and challenges faced by the heads of the state agencies which are responsible for statewide library development.

The work of COSLA is carried on through its members, a Board of Directors, and committees. The Chief Officers meet four times a year. The major meetings are held in the spring and fall, and a working session is scheduled in conjunction with the mid-winter and annual conferences of the American Library Association.

President: J. Gary Nichols State Librarian State Library #64 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 207-287-5600 Fax: 207-287-5615 gary.nichols@maine.gov		Immediate Past President: GladysAnn Wells Director Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records State Capitol, Rm. 200 1700 W. Washington Room 200 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 926-4035 gawells@lib.az.us
Vice President/ President Elect: Susan McVey Director Department of Libraries 200 NE 18th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3298 405-521-2502 Fax: 405-525-7804 smcvey@oltn.odl.state.ok.us		Director: Ann Joslin State Librarian State Library 325 W. State St. Boise, ID 83702 208-334-2150 ann.joslin@libraries.idaho.gov
Secretary: Rebecca Mitchell Director Alabama Public Library Service 6030 Monticello Dr. Montgomery, AL 36130 334-213-3901 Fax: 334-213-3993 rebecca.mitchell@apls.alabama.gov		Director: Rod Wagner Director Library Commission The Atrium 1200 N St., Ste. 120 Lincoln, NE 68508-2023 402-471-4001 Fax: 402-471-2083 rwagner@nlc.state.ne.us
Treasurer: Annie Norman Director & State Librarian Division of Libraries/State Library 43 South DuPont Hwy. Dover, DE 19901 302-739-4748 x 126 Fax: 302-739-6787 norman@lib.de.us

Continuing Education Committee
Chair: Susan McVey (Oklahoma)
Vice Chair: Gene Hainer (Colorado)
Members: Anne Craig (Illinois), Jan Walsh (Washington)
Charge: Continuing Education Committee Charge: To (1) recommend continuing education activities that would benefit COSLA members; (2) to identify continuing education issues which have implication for state library agencies; and (3) work closely with other COSLA committees to identify issues which require education for decision making, and assist with the development of education activities.

Legislation Committee
Chair: Ken Wiggin (Connecticut)
Vice Chair: Mary Wegner (Iowa)
Members: Christie Brandau (Kansas), Annie Norman (Delaware), Sybil McShane (Vermont), Janet Welch (New York), Rebecca Mitchell (Alabama), Sharman Smith (Mississippi), Michael York (New Hampshire), Norma Blake (New Jersey), Susan Hildreth (California), Rod Wagner (Nebraska), Rob Maier (Massachusetts)
Charge: To (1) develop, review and recommend legislative policy and programs to the Chief Officers; (2) analyze legislative issues and work with other COSLA committees and task forces in analyzing legislative implications of their work; (3) represent the Chief Officers on legislative matters; (4) monitor any proposed federal legislation and bring issues to the attention of COSLA (5) maintain continuing communication with the ALA Washington Office and with other organizations as they relate to legislative concerns.

Network Committee
Chair: Lamar Veatch (Georgia)
Vice Chair: VACANT
Members: Mary Boone (North Carolina), Roberta Brooker (Indiana), Jo Budler (Ohio), Margaret Conroy (Missouri), Anne Craig (Illinois), , Rob Maier (Massachusetts), Sharman Smith (Mississippi), Rod Wagner (Nebraska), Ken Wiggin (Connecticut)
Charge: To (1) promote the development of broadly based plans for statewide library networking coordinated with national and multi-state developments; (2) maintain continuing communication with federal agencies concerned with bibliographic networks and networking organizations; (3) maintain continuing communication with specialized subject networks and networking organizations; (4) develop and enforce policies for and oversee the production and development of the association web site; and, (5) develop and enforce policies for the listserv as a means of communication between association members.

Research and Statistics Committee
Chair: Suzanne Miller (Minnesota)
Vice Chair: Jim Scheppke (Oregon)
Members: Carolyn Ashcraft (Arkansas), Peggy Rudd (Texas), Lamar Veatch (Georgia), J.D. Waggoner (West Virginia), Clare Zales (Pennsylvania)
Charge: The special Committee on Research and Statistics has the responsibility to: (1) recommend, develop, monitor, assist, and/or conduct the research activities of COSLA and, when appropriate, its committees; (2) recommend policies and content, as well as oversee the collection and publication, of statistics of interest and concern to COSLA; (3) identify and, if appropriate, cooperate with individuals and other organizations conducting research that is in the best interest of COSLA; (4) work to improve the quality and availability of data and information related to state library agencies; (5) ensure that research and studies conducted by state library agencies are deposited with Association Management Resources and (6) maintain liaison with the NCES and its surveys

Liaison with the Urban Library Council

Liaison: Susan Hildreth (California)

Liaison with the American Library Association and Other National Library Organizations
Liaison: Susan Hildreth (California)
Charge: To (1) maintain continuing communication and cooperation with the association officers, and units of the American Library Association and, (2) maintain continuing communication and cooperation with other national library related organizations.

Liaison to the Government Printing Office
Liaison: VACANT
Charge: To maintain continuing communication with the Government Printing Office.

Liaison with Library of Congress
Liaison: Michael York (New Hampshire)
Charge: To (1) maintain continuing communication between the Library of Congress and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies; (2) cooperate with the Library of Congress in strengthening functions and services affecting state library agencies; (3) advise and consult on the Assembly of State Librarians; and, (4) support the Library of Congress in its role as a national library resource.

Liaison with the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science
Liaison: Norma Blake (New Jersey)
Charge: To maintain continuing communication with the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science.

Liaison with the Institute for Museum and Library Services
Liaison: Annie Norman (Delaware)

Liaison to the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
Liaison: GladysAnn Wells (Arizona)

Liaison with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Liaison: Michael York (New Hampshire)
Charge: To maintain continuing communication with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Liaison with the Gates Foundation
Liaison: Ken Wiggin (Connecticut)

E-Rate Liaison
Liaison: Gary Nichols (Maine) and Judith Ring (Florida)

Liaison with the Council of State Archivists (CoSA),
National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators (NAGARA)
and Society of American Archivists (SAA)
Liaison: GladysAnn Wells (Arizona)

Liaison with the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO)
Liaison: VACANT

Liaison to the Digital Future Coalition
Liaison: Ken Wiggin (Connecticut)

Liaison with the National Forum on Information Literacy
Liaison: Irene Padilla (Maryland)

Liaison to the NISO Z39.7 Standard Maintenance Agency Advisory Committee
Liaison: Suzanne Miller (Minnesota)

Liaison to the Federation of State Humanities Council
Liaison: Christie Pearson Brandau (Kansas)