Subject: What stakeholders/citizens need to participate
We have different types of stakeholders in our communites and while the web is a great resource, there are other platforms that need to be considered and are equaly effective in delivering environmental information. Presently most government and library resources descriminate by not providing platforms for other learning styles. If we consider Howard Gardners/David Lazers 8 Ways of Knowing (Multiplul Intelligences) in designing epa and libary eduacation programs we would become much more effective in communication and linking concerns and issues to how people prefer to learn. In addition for those that do not do the web EPA/libraires still need to provide hard copies of docuements for these types of lerners. And those with sepecial needs...ie non readers, multilingual audiences and those with disabilites their is a need for other forums that joinly sponsored programs can bring about. Corrrectly sequenced with local media, service organizatrions, churches, schools, state and federal agencies environemtnal concerns can be turned into issues for public policy decisions. However this is a threat to the power structure in many communites and some stakeholders would prefer that these actions or collaborations not take place. Make sure the educators that take on these organizing rolls in the library, in the EPA or other agencies are supported before engaging in such efforts.
Stakeholders need:
* Libraries that are great community resources and gathering places. They can and do provide a place for learning to take place.
*Access to the web and selected educational sites, as well as, Electronic Journals which are also a good forum for the more academic clientele.
*Individuals they can trust to provide unbiased and reasearch based information...education not advocacy.
* A place to dialogue and discuss, even debate with the fundimental framework of respect, responsibility and safety. With security issues on the web and personal security provided for in whatever forum or format that emerges.
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