Contact:
Cara Battaglini
+1.703.647.4917
cara@sla.org

SLA DENOUNCES EPA DECISION TO CLOSE LIBRARIES BEFORE CONGRESSIONAL ACTION

Alexandria, Virginia USA, 24 August 2006-- The Special Libraries Association (SLA) announced today its continued grave concern with the actions of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as they move to begin closing the network of 27 EPA libraries and information centers across the country. These closures will terminate public access to important research materials and environmental impact information on the assumption that Congress will not reverse President Bush's proposed budget reductions when they return from recess in mid-September.

In a 15 August 2006 document, "EPA FY 2007 Library Plan", EPA indicates that it will begin immediately implementing President Bush's proposed budget cuts for the next fiscal year, which begins in October, without waiting for Congress to act.

"We are extremely disappointed to hear that the leadership at EPA is acting without Congressional approval on the closure of its libraries," said SLA Chief Executive Officer Janice R. Lachance. "The fact that the decision was announced while Congress is not in session makes it clear that EPA leadership wishes to execute its plans without drawing too much attention. SLA will continue to educate legislators and the public on this matter to not only demonstrate that closing EPA libraries is antithetical to the agency's mission, but also to show that those who support this action are clearly not interested in doing things the correct way."

Lachance continued, "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. Short-sighted budget savings like this will give way to increased costs for EPA that are not apparent right now."

Following this announcement, according to a press release issued by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), the EPA's own scientists began stepping up protests against closures on the grounds that it will make their work more difficult by impeding research, enforcement and emergency response capabilities.

In a mass letter of protest, signed this June by representatives for 10,000 EPA scientists and researchers, employees contend that the library plan is designed to "suppress information on environmental and public health-related topics." 

• Read the 17 February 2006 press release from SLA on the proposed budget cuts
• Read the 21 August 2006 press release from PEER on this announcement
• See the letter of protest signed by representatives for 10,000 EPA scientists and researchers

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 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

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Please contact Cara Battaglini (703.647.4917 or cara@sla.org ) in the SLA media relations office to schedule an interview with an SLA spokesperson or to request a copy of the SLA talking points on the EPA closures.