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Cara Battaglini
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cara@sla.org

Special Libraries Association Continues Dialogue with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Library Closures

SLA Obtains Clarification from EPA Surrounding Recent Media Reports on Closures

Alexandria, Virginia, USA, 9 May 2007 -- In a continuation of the dialogue between Special Libraries Association (SLA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), officials from both organizations met on Monday in an effort to clarify recent media reports that libraries were closing and materials discarded within the EPA's regional library network. The meeting, called by SLA, was the fourth between the two organizations which have been in communication since February 2006 about EPA's future plans concerning the operations of its network special libraries.

"SLA has been diligent in reaching out to EPA officials, getting status reports, and sharing the expertise of our members, and we will continue to work closely with EPA on this issue. Our meetings have been open and informative, and we appreciate that EPA is responding to SLA's concerns and giving our members a voice as the agency implements changes to its operations policies and procedures within the regional library network," said Janice Lachance, CEO of SLA.

During an April 6 meeting at SLA Headquarters, Mike Flynn EPA Director, Office of Information Analysis and Access Office of Environmental Information told SLA that further closures and changes to EPA library network have been "frozen" as the agency works to develop and implement policies and procedures, as well as goals and a strategic direction that would best serve the needs of the public and EPA scientists.

Flynn confirmed in a letter on May 8 to SLA that this was indeed still the case, "I assure you that we are working diligently toward the goals I have discussed with you. EPA is committed to increasing access to environmental information through a combination of online and traditional library services via the EPA Library Network."

Flynn will appear in person to address the recent reports as well as share future plans with SLA members in three weeks at The 2007 SLA Annual Conference, June 3-6 in Denver, Co. He is scheduled to provide a status update on the EPA's plans for its library network on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 9-10:30 a.m. as one part of SLA's Public Policy Update.

For detailed information on the status of EPA libraries:

• Letter from Mike Flynn to SLA's Chief Policy Officer
• EPA Interim Library Policy
• Draft Dispersion Procedures
• Draft Library Usage Statistics

About SLA
The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners. SLA serves more than 11,500 members in 75 countries in the information profession, including corporate, academic, and government information specialists. SLA promotes and strengthens its members through learning, advocacy, and networking initiatives. For more information, visit us on the Web at www.sla.org.