EPA Supporting Libraries

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

What can the EPA do to help support libraries?
1. Continue building its strong relationships with the 
   environmental programming by the American Library Association
   and the Special Libraries Association. Work with and support 
   (fund) efforts to provide comprehensive continuing education
   programs, workshops, and Internet-based "training" with these
   library associations. ALA has a VERY impressive model with 
   its Libraries Build Sustainable Communities project (funded
   by a $300,000, two-year grant jointly awarded to ALA and 
   Global Learning, Inc.).

2. Start building similar relationships at the regional level 
   libraries in the states and territories, establish ALA-like
   relationships with state library associations and consortia. 

3. Participate to the fullest extent possible in local workshops,
   symposia, conferences, etc. It's a well known fact that the
   travel budgets of EPA Libraries have been a "tender" issue, 
   but EPA must find the means to go to these programs and to
   assist in the planning, support, and funding of such programs

4. Support the funding of special, recognized publications, 
   programs, and services that are provided by libraries and
   library organizations. It is sad that Libraries for the Future
   could not find the financial support to produce an updated, 
   3rd edition to their booklet, "The Environmentalist's Guide to
   the Public Library."

5. Encourage and support the development of local environmental
   directories. Several examples: Environmental Organizations of
   the Buffalo Region: A Directory (Community Foundation for 
   Greater Buffalo), A Guide to Government and the Environment: 
   Citizens Environmental Handbook, Erie County (The New York
   Conservation Education Fund), Directory of Environmental 
   Agencies and Organizations, Rochester-Finger Lakes-Genesee 
   Valley Region (Center for Environmental Information), and 
   assist these efforts in STANDARDIZING formats online -- it
   be a TREMENDOUS benefit for building comprehensive national, 
   state, and county directories of environmental programs and
   parties in the public and private sectors.

6. Provide Collection Development Grants for libraries

Fred Stoss
Science and Engineering Library
University at Buffalo