RE:Craig and Jim's responses, environmental information sources and EPA

[Tom.Hughes, Mass Environmental Library <Thomas.Hughes@state.ma.us>]

Craig: you are absolutely right it would be a worldwide resource and one that is needed.

Jim: You hit something right on the mark.  Researchers primarily use tools that are readily available to them - databases that search peer reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings, providing citations, abstracts, and in some cases full text.  Most of these are commercial tools.  Not only does Medline compete effectively, it is relied on heavily.  In OCLC's FirstSearch service, Medline is linked to holdings information so material can be located.  It is very rare that any EPA information is located in these core research tools.  To search for EPA information is a second step that many researchers will not take. 

The end result is that EPA information is not being effectively used to expand our environmental knowledge base.  EPA sources are under-represented many research projects that will form the basis for tomorrow's environmental protection.  The irony is that this fear of providing access to outside information is limiting the use of EPA information, and not the other way around. Much of the information that they worry about providing access to is over-represented because it is available.