Reply 1: It's like climbing a mountain!

[Fred Stoss <fstoss@acsu.buffalo.edu>]

Searching for environmental information seems like the challenge
a novice rock climber faces as they stand at the base of a towering
cliff and not being prepared to begin a laborous climb. They have
a need to get to the top of the cliff. However, they are looking
only at a part of the whole mountain, and we have heard LOTS about
that "mountain of information!"

The chunk of rock in front of the climber is a challenge and one
that comes with varying degrees of difficulty and frustration. We
look at that cliff-wall of environmental information and do not
see a direct, success-filled easy route to the top. So what does
one do?

First, take some steps back. Look at the mountain in it entirety,
not the big cliff-wall in front of you. THEN gather your ropes,
gear, maps, and compass and plot an exact and systematic ascent to
your goal.

Just as the climber has tools to assist the climb, so does the
library user have tools to assist the search in their search for
environmental data and information.  However, it is not simply
having the tools that gets you there. It's knowing what tool to
use at the right time, and place that gets you closer to the top.

Better yet... Take an EPA Librarian or another academic, government,
or specail librarian along as your "EXPERT GUIDE." Climbing these
mountains is their job and they have mastered the routes!

Next post from me will look at the increasing needs of environmental
data, as opposed to environmental information.

Fred Stoss
Science and Engineering Library
University at Buffalo