Thus far we have not defined who is the "public" and so have not really examined HOW libraries can best serve the public with new information technologies.
Certainly libraries' audiences are very broad and varied. Nonetheless, it is useful to identify all of the "communities of interest" that use environmental information. Doing so suggests that EPA must proactively organize information in order to serve these diverse communities.
Below is a suggested list of "communities of interest." Are any communities missing? If so, please feel free to add to the list:
1) Educators, researchers, and university hazard reduction and cleaner production centers;
2) Planning commissions, zoning boards, and public works departments;
3) Emergency responders (police, fire, medical, LEPCs, SERCs);
4) Schools, school districts, and parent-teacher associations;
5) Facility owners, operators, planners, and engineers;
6) Social justice, environmental, community, and citizen advisory groups;
7) Business organizations;
8) Workers and labor organizations;
9) Investors, lenders, and insurers;
10) Physicians networks, health departments, nursing homes, and hospitals;
11) National and local news media;
12) Local, state, and federal officials (including legislators);
13) Operators of public congregation areas (malls, sports arenas, airports, bus stations, and rail terminals);
14) The general public.
Paul Orum
Working Group on Community Right-to-Know
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