(1) The Florida Academic Library Services Cooperative is established to provide a single library automation system and associated resources and services that all public postsecondary institutions shall use to support learning, teaching, and research needs.

(2) The Florida Academic Library Services Cooperative shall:

(a) Develop and manage a library information portal and automated library management tools for use by Florida College System institutions and state universities. The library information portal and automated library management tools shall include, but are not limited to, the following services and functions:

1. A shared Internet-based catalog and discovery tool that allows a user to search and, if authorized, access the aggregate library holdings of the state’s public postsecondary education institutions. The catalog and discovery tool shall allow a user to search the library holdings of one institution, selected institutions, or all institutions and, to the extent feasible, shall include an interlibrary loan function that ensures an authorized user can access the required library holding.

2. An Internet-based searchable collection of electronic resources which shall include, but not be limited to, full-text journals, articles, databases, and electronic books licensed pursuant to paragraph (b).

3. An integrated library management system and its associated services that all public postsecondary education institution academic libraries shall use for purposes of acquiring, cataloging, circulating, and tracking library material.

4. A statewide searchable database that includes an inventory of digital archives and collections held by public postsecondary education institutions.

(b) In collaboration with library staff from Florida College System institutions and state universities, coordinate the negotiation of statewide licensing of electronic library resources and preferred pricing agreements, issue purchase orders, and enter into contracts for the acquisition of library support services, electronic resources, and other goods and services necessary to carry out its duties under this section. For purposes of licensing electronic library resources from funds appropriated to the Complete Florida Plus Program, those resources licensed for 4-year degree-seeking students shall be made available to all 4-year degree-seeking students in the Florida College System and the State University System.

(c) Promote and provide recommendations concerning the use and distribution of open-access textbooks and education resources as a method for reducing costs and work with public postsecondary education institutions in developing a standardized process for the review and approval of open-access textbooks and education resources.

(d) Provide appropriate help desk support and training and consultation services to institutions and students using the services of the Florida Academic Library Services Cooperative.

(e) Receive all data center services from the Northwest Regional Data Center established pursuant to s. 1004.649.

(3) The University of West Florida shall hire a director for the Florida Academic Library Services Cooperative who shall report to and is under the supervision and direction of the director of the Complete Florida Plus Program established pursuant to s. 1006.735. The director of the Florida Academic Library Services Cooperative shall:

(a) Exercise all powers, duties, and functions of the cooperative prescribed by law.

(b) Administer the operational requirements of the cooperative.

(c) Hire professional and administrative staff necessary to carry out the duties of the cooperative. The director shall hire the minimum administrative staff necessary to administer the duties of the cooperative.

(4) Beginning December 31, 2014, and each year thereafter, the University of West Florida shall submit a report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives describing the implementation and operation of the Florida Academic Library Services Cooperative to include, but not be limited to, information and associated costs relating to the services and functions identified in subsection (2).

History.—s. 14, ch. 2012-134; s. 12, ch. 2013-45; s. 184, ch. 2014-17; s. 15, ch. 2014-56.