CONTACT:
John Crosby
+1.703.647.4916
jcrosby@sla.org
SLA Denounces Proposal to Close EPA Libraries
Alexandria, Virginia USA, 17 February 2006 ? The Special Libraries Association (SLA) announced today its strong opposition to the Bush Administration proposal to close the network of libraries and information centers operating within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Janice R. Lachance, Chief Executive Officer of SLA, offered the following comments on the matter.
?SLA is gravely concerned with the proposal in the Bush Administration's FY2007 Budget to close the network of 27 libraries and information centers within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. With this proposal, EPA's leadership is making it more difficult for the agency's policymakers and the public to leverage the extensive knowledge found in high quality, accurate information to make important decisions on our nation's environment, potentially compromising the public's health.
?Clearly, historical trends at EPA have not shown a tendency by its leadership towards innovation in the management and dissemination of information created by its work over time. In fact, EPA has continually scaled back its investment in the management of information in a time when this is one of the most strategically valuable aspects of organizational management.
?Short-sighted budget savings like this will give way to increased costs for EPA that aren't apparent right now. What EPA really needs is an innovative information management strategy that leverages technology to its fullest extent while employing full-time information professionals who understand how information should be selected, organized, analyzed, and disseminated.
?SLA and its more than 11,000 members around the globe stand ready to oppose this proposal while raising expectations of EPA management to deliver on a modernized, more effective plan for the future.?
SLA Public Policy Director Doug Newcomb indicated that SLA would be working in concert with other U.S. library associations in communicating opposition to the proposal and the concerns about its impact on agency operations and citizen services. ?Our strong relationship with those organizations will make the force of our efforts even greater,? added Newcomb.
About SLA
The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners. SLA serves more than 11,000 members in 83 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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