Cara Schatz
+1.703.647.4917
cara@sla.org
EPA Officials Brief SLA on Plans to Reestablish Closed Libraries by September 2008
Report to Congress Lays out Plans to Rebuild Physical Collections, Staff Libraries, and Continue to Work with Stakeholders on Future Digitization Plan
Alexandria, Virginia, 27 March 2008 - The Special Libraries Association (SLA) today met with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials to review the agency's report to the U.S. Congress on the future direction of its library network. The report, submitted on 26 March, explains the steps EPA intends to take to reopen libraries closed over the last two years, and details how the agency will allocate an additional $1 million dollars for libraries provided in the FY08 EPA budget earmarked for that purpose.
"I am thrilled to learn of the EPA's plans to reestablish the collections, as well as appropriate library staff, at the closed libraries before the end of the year," said SLA Chief Executive Officer Janice Lachance. "This kind of thinking and planning is exactly what we expected would come from extensive efforts by SLA staff and members to bring about a turnaround on this issue, and I think that EPA is currently moving in the right direction."
The report lays out the general approach EPA plans to take for each library location to reopen, and establishes operational standards applicable to all libraries in the EPA network. Specific site plans are still in the works.
According to the report, "Over the next few months, EPA will continue communicate with the affected stakeholders (including employee unions) as specific plans for each library are finalized. The agency is committed to working with employees and outside parties on future digitization plans (based on the third party review), a customer needs assessment, and long term strategic planning efforts. This process will establish the future direction for EPA's libraries consistent with Agency needs, stakeholder interests, and library best practices and trends. The agency will foster growth of an effective network of coordinated services provided by professional library staff that focus on the customer's access."
EPA has also requested that, as a major stakeholder in the future success of the libraries, SLA and its members continue to provide counsel as part of a workgroup that will review the proposed digitization strategy and provide feedback on the agency's next steps.
Lachance said, "SLA members, information professionals armed with knowledge and skills of current and most effective practices, are precisely the experts that need to be at the table as these matters are being discussed. I am glad that EPA will be taking us up on our offer of assistance, and we will do all that we can to ensure the strategic plans for digitization of the Agency's collections are in line with their stated mission of providing the public with access to the vital environmental information they need when faced with important decisions."
Background and Reports
- EPA National Library Network Report to Congress (March 26, 2008)
http://www.epa.gov/natlibra/documents/Library_Report_to_Congress.pdf - Information on EPA's National Library Network is available at: www.epa.gov/libraries
- A history and timeline of SLA's involvement in this issue is available at: http://www.sla.org/content/SLA/advocacy/EPA/epaupdate.cfm
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 more than 60 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.
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