About COSLA

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 three times a year. The annual meeting is held in the fall, and working sessions are scheduled in conjunction with the mid-winter and Library Legislative Days of the American Library Association.

Concerns of COSLA include effective statewide planning and action to ensure library service adequate to meet the needs of all communities; the strengthening of state library agencies, library systems and effective networks; federal appropriations for library services; national library service programs; use of new technology for library and information service; state library services; availability of state and federal documents; improved library statistics programs; continuing library education programs; and state-federal responsibilities for talking book service to blind and handicapped persons throughout the nation.

Officers and Directors 2008-2010

Committees and Liaisons 2008-2010

Continuing Education Committee
Chair: Gene Hainer (Colorado)
Vice Chair: Pending
Members: Anne Craig (Illinois)
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: Annie Norman (Delaware), Rebecca Mitchell (Alabama), Susan Oberlander (New Mexico), Sharman Smith (Mississippi), Michael York (New Hampshire), Norma Blake (New Jersey), Rod Wagner (Nebraska), Rob Maier (Massachusetts), Donna Jones Morris (Utah), Rebecca Hamilton (LA) 
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.

Networking Committee
Chair: Roberta Brooker (Indiana)
Vice Chair: Daphne DeLeon (Nevada)
Members: Mary Boone (North Carolina), Jo Budler (Kansas), Margaret Conroy (Missouri), Anne Craig (Illinois), Irene Padilla (Maryland), Rob Maier (Massachusetts), Sharman Smith (Mississippi), Rod Wagner (Nebraska), Ken Wiggin (Connecticut)
Charge: To (1) cultivate ongoing communication with COSLA members through a variety of methods; (2) provide ongoing, current information for the development of COSLA information policies on diverse, but relevant topics. This may be accomplished through communication with national, multistate, and state organizations. Information on issues may be gathered from attending meetings, communicating with knowledgeable people and organizations, reading, participating on listservs, or any other means necessary. Committee members will assimilate, distill, and organize information for the COSLA membership. The information may then be used by COSLA members to determine policies on information technology issues and to assist COSLA members in providing leadership in the area of technology. 

Information policy issues, although they will continually evolve, currently include, but are not limited to:

Research and Statistics Committee
Chair: Peggy Rudd (Texas)
Vice Chair: Pending

Members: Carolyn Ashcraft (Arkansas), J.D. Waggoner (West Virginia), Clare Zales (Pennsylvania), Richard Grobschmidt (Wisconsin), Irene Padilla (Maryland), Howard Boksenbaum (Rhode Island), Wayne Onkst (Kentucky), Jim Scheppke (Oregon), Gene Hainer (Colorado)
Charge: 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
 

Bylaws Task Force

Chair: Donna Jones Morris (Utah)

Members: Robert Maier (Massachusetts), Susan Oberlander (New Mexico), Doris Ott (North Dakota)

E-Reader Task Force
Chair: Jim Scheppke (Oregon)
Members: Jo Budler (Kansas), Stacey Aldrich (California), Rob Maier (Massachusetts)

Liaison with the Urban Library Council

Liaison: Norma Blake (New Jersey)

Liaison with the American Library Association
Liaison: Peggy Rudd (Texas)
Charge: To maintain continuing communication and cooperation with the association officers, and units of the American Library Association.
 

Liaison to the Government Printing Office
Liaison: GladysAnn Wells (Arizona)
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 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)
Additional Liaison Contacts: Donna Jones Morris (Utah), Doris Ott (North Dakota), Peggy Rudd (Texas), Annie Norman (Delaware)

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

E-Rate Liaison
Liaison: 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: Daphne DeLeon (Nevada)

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

Liaison with the National Forum on Information Literacy
Liaison: Pending

Liaison to the NISO Z39.7 Standard Maintenance Agency Advisory Committee
Liaison: Pending

Liaison to the Federation of State Humanities Council
Liaison: Pending 

Staff

Laura Singler-Adams
Association Director
(859) 514-9214

Sam Hearn
Website Manager
(859) 514-9827

Sis Pike
Database Coordinator
(859) 514-9160

201 East Main Street, Suite 1405
Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 514-9151
Fax : (859) 514-9166 

Pursuant to IRS Regulations, it is the policy of COSLA to allow public access to its original exemption application and to its IRS Form 990. In addition, COSLA will make copies of its governing documents, conflict of interest policy/disclosures, and year-end financial statements available to the public. This access will be provided at COSLA's principal headquarters offices at a time mutually agreeable between its headquarters and the individual requesting the inspection during regular business hours. In addition, COSLA will make each Form 990 information return available for a period of 3 years from filing. Headquarters will provide a copy of the exemption application or Form 990 without charge, other than a reasonable fee for reproduction and actual postage costs, as applicable. The copy must include all information furnished to the IRS as well as all schedules, attachments, and supporting statements, except for the name and address of any contributor to the organization. For further detailed information regarding these IRS requirements, refer to the General Instructions for Form 990.