Evaluating Quality of Information Resources

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

Nina,

You have provided a sterling example of the type of quality
assurance/control that is, for the most part, lacking with
regard to the sources of environmental information.

We don't seem to have a shortage of nay-sayers pointing out 
the radical agendas of nearly every environmental activist
organization, government agency program, or regulatory 
requirement. But we do have a lack of comments on the quality
or bias of data and information that is provided to that
amorphous conglomerate known as "the concerned public." SOME
NGO organizations attempt to do this, but in some cases get 
caught up in their own agendas and causes to be able to truly
provide that unbiased slant.

The Center for Environmental Information in Rochester served 
that community (and the global commons on certain topics, such as 
acid rain and global climate change) over a period of 25 years.
Recent catastrophic losses in funding have see this once viable
organization slip away. Funding from several obvious federal and
state agencies was sought and in too many instances denied.

A critical fact that MUST be addressed is where do libraries and
information centers and clearinghouses find the support to 
develop new and maintain existing environmental inforamtion and
data programs?

Fred Stoss
Science and Engineering Library
University at Buffalo