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Overview of the Consortium About VALE: Virtual Academic Library Environment

The VALE Consortium was developed in 1998 as a grass roots organization to develop inter-institutional information connectivity and collaborative library application projects among New Jersey academic libraries. VALE’s objective is to help institutions meet the demands of students and faculty for access to scholarly materials. Through cooperation and leveraged purchasing, and through the use of collaboration and cutting-edge technology, VALE seeks to provide a seamless network of access to shared electronic academic information resources throughout the state of New Jersey. The New Jersey State Library, the New Jersey Library Association, and the Council of New Jersey College and University Library Deans, University Librarians and Directors offer enthusiastic and continuing support. The VALE Consortium provides an extraordinary level of information access to academic resources in New Jersey.

Year 1	1998 - 1999 (FY99) Vale was created as New Jersey's first statewide academic library consortium. Funded by New Jersey Higher Education Technology Infrastructure Bond funds, matching institutional dollars and a grant from the New Jersey State Library, VALE offered subscriptions for four electronic databases to 45 members from all academic sectors. A look at early plans.
Year 2	1999 - 2000 (FY00) Funded by a second grant from the New Jersey State Library and member institutions, subscriptions to 11 databases offered.
Year 3	2000 - 2001 (FY01) Subscriptions increase to 18 databases with funding by member libraries and a $250,000 grant from the New Jersey State Library. Membership rises to 49 institutions.
Year 4	2001 - 2002 (FY02) Funding from the New Jersey State Library increased to $325,000. Combined with member library payments, this brought the number of database subscriptions to 28. Membership grows to 52 institutions.
Year 5	2002 - 2003 (FY03) Direct funding from the New Jersey State Library is eliminated due to state budget cuts. The State Library provides access for all VALE libraries to a general database through a state negotiated contract. All other subscriptions remain member supported. VALE Strategic Goals
Year 6	2003 - 2004 (FY04) Three new databases are added for a total of 31. The general research database remains available to VALE libraries through the State Library. Membership remains at 52 institutions. VALE celebrates its 5th anniversary at the annual Users' Conference.
Year 7	2004 - 2005 (FY05) Seven new databases are added. The general research database continues to remain available to VALE libraries through the State Library.
Year 8	2005 - 2006 (FY06) Six new databases are added. A joint effort between VALE, NJLA and the New Jersey State Library successfully culminated in a $6 million legislative appropriation to the New Jersey State Library. Known as the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative, funds are being used to license science and business databases for VALE libraries and selected small businesses. Visions for VALE: Strategic Planning Retreat Report
Year 9	2006 - 2007 (FY07) Seven new databases are added. Funding for the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative continues to provide access to science and business databases through FY07.
Year 10	2007 - 2008 (FY08) Three new databases are added. Partial funding for the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative guarantees database support through February 2008. Membership grows to 53 institutions.
Year 11	2008 - 2009 (FY09) Three new databases are added as well as four databases previously funded by the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative. NJKI funding continues to support Academic Search Premier, Business Source Complete and ReferenceUSA. VALE celebrates it’s 10th anniversary at the annual Users’ Conference.
Year 12	2009 – 2010 (FY10) One new database, The Chronicle of Higher Education, is added. The New Jersey State Library continues to fund Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier and Reference USA as part of the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative.