Environmental Protection Agency library network / Bernard T. Vellios, editor.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Vellios, Bernard T.

United States. General Accounting Office.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Environmental Protection Agency--Libraries.

United States.

United States. Environmental Protection Agency--Reorganization.

Environmental libraries--United States--Administration.

Environmental libraries.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (83 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Hauppauge, N.Y. : Nova Science Publishers, c2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) library network provides staff and the public with access to environmental information. Its 26 libraries contain a wide range of information and resources and are located at headquarters, regional offices, research centers, and laboratories nationwide. In 2006, EPA issued a plan to reorganize the network beginning in fiscal year 2007. The plan proposed closing libraries and dispersing, disposing of, and digitizing library materials. GAO was asked to assess (1) the status of, and plans for, the network reorganization; (2) EPA's rationale for reorganizing the network; (3) the extent to which EPA has communicated with and solicited the views of EPA staff and external stakeholders in conducting the reorganization; (4) EPA's steps to maintain the quality of library services after the reorganization; and (5) how EPA is funding the network and its reorganization. For this study, GAO reviewed pertinent EPA documents and interviewed EPA officials and staff from each of the libraries.

Contents:

Preface

Results in brief

Background

Some libraries independently decided to close, reduce their hours, or take other actions, but the final network configuration is still uncertain

EPA did not effectively justify its decision to reorganize its library network

EPA did not fully inform or solicit views from the full range of stakeholders on the reorganization but is now increasing its outreach efforts

EPA lacks a strategy to ensure continuity of library services and does not know whether its actions have impaired access to environmental information

EPA program offices are responsible for funding their libraries and their reorganization through their support budgets

Conclusions

Recommendations for executive action

Agency comments.

Notes:

"Excerpted, indexed edition of GAO report GAO-08-304 dated February 2008."

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-61728-412-2

OCLC:

662458174