EPA Libraries Update
Copyright 2007 Inside Washington Publishers All Rights Reserved
Risk Policy Report
August 21, 2007
SECTION: Vol. 14 No. 34
LENGTH: 743 words
HEADLINE: EPA Union Says Decision Bolsters Its Position In Library Closure Talks
BODY:
In a case brought against EPA by an agency union challenging a decision to dismantle a library network widely used to research health risks and regulatory issues, union officials say they are confident about succeeding with their argument that the agency engaged in unfair labor practices in dismantling the libraries, citing an administrative law judge's recent ruling that he has enough information to decide the case without holding a formal hearing.
If they win, the union officials say, it could bolster their position in subsequent arbitration talks. Union representatives have said the libraries are essential to the agency's work and are used by program staff to research chemical health risks and environmental impacts of new technologies. The library closures impede the ability of EPA staff to access library data necessary to carry out their jobs, union officials argue.
Earlier this month Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) Administrative Law Judge Richard Pearson ruled that he would indefinitely postpone an Aug. 14 hearing on the union's complaint that the agency failed to respond to its requests to select an arbitrator for union-agency negotiations over the controversial library closures.
In June, Pearson initially called for a hearing to be held in Chicago Aug. 14 to address the union's complaint that the agency failed to respond to its requests to select an arbitrator (Risk Policy Report, July 10, p5).
But after reviewing the case Pearson changed his mind about the hearing, and in an Aug. 7 decision wrote, "It does not appear that a hearing in this case will be necessary" because he has enough information to reach a decision. Instead, he ordered the union to file a motion for summary judgment by Aug. 17.
EPA has until Aug. 31 to file any cross-motions or a motion to pursue a hearing. The decision is available on InsideEPA.com.
One union official says the decision to order summary judgment may signal an upcoming win for the union because Pearson "is going to rule on the facts of the case as they are," which the union says are in its favor.
Although EPA has subsequently selected an arbitrator to begin negotiations next month over the closures, the source says the union is still pursuing the unfair labor practice claim in the hopes of securing a win that "will get the word out to all EPA employees nationally" about the agency's failure to address union requests to appoint an arbitrator.
EPA and its union ultimately agreed June 25 to appoint George Edward Larney as arbitrator -- four months after the union filed its Feb. 5 unfair labor practice complaint with the FLRA. An FLRA ruling in favor of the union "would lend credence to our claims" in the upcoming arbitration talks that EPA did not consult with the union prior to closing libraries and did not adequately consider or address the impact that closures would have on employees, the union official says EPA last year developed a plan to close its library network and transfer huge volumes of written materials into an electronic format, partly in response to an expected $2 million cut to the Office of Environmental Information's budget in the then-pending fiscal year 2007 appropriations bill. EPA has already closed the libraries at its Dallas and Chicago offices, agency sources say.
Union officials say employees need access to EPA's libraries for research to support agency regulatory positions, to understand the science behind rulemakings, and for a host of other reasons. Several officials say they oppose the plan to restrict access to only an electronic format because there is no guarantee all existing documents will be transferred and the process for converting and making available the documents may take too long.
The union source is hoping for a favorable FLRA ruling ahead of the arbitration talks, slated to take place in Chicago beginning Sept. 25. The union pushed for Chicago as the venue for the two-day negotiations because EPA has already closed the library there and "we could bring in [regional EPA] witnesses who will talk about the impacts on employees" as a result of the closures, the source adds.
The arbitration talks, which the source describes as a "quasi-trial," are ultimately aimed at forcing EPA to negotiate over addressing the union's concerns about the impact of the closures on agency employees, and at trying to win the reopening of the Chicago and Dallas libraries.
An EPA spokeswoman did not return calls by press time.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Washoe County invites citizens to subscribe to free "cmail" service
RENO, Nevada. Aug. 22, 2007. Citizens interested in receiving immediate information about Washoe County are encouraged to subscribe to the new, interactive "cMail" (County Mail) subscription service. This new program allows citizens to subscribe to a specific County Commissioner’s District, all Districts and/or emergency information announcements. To subscribe, simply visit the webpage www.washoecounty.us/bcc <http://www.washoecounty.us/bcc> and click on a Commissioner’s picture.
Washoe County Webmaster Chris Matthews explained the value of the service to citizens. "This is one of the best ways to receive immediate District specific County information that will be sent directly to your home, office or email enabled portable device. The system is completely secure and will only collect email addresses, therefore assuring anonymity for the subscriber."
Citizens can also respond to a cMail they receive for additional information and/or answers to questions they may have on a particular topic. Washoe County does not provide citizen email lists to outside parties and the subscription can be changed or cancelled at any time. Future enhancements to the county’s "cMail" service include topic specific notifications.
For more information about the Washoe County cMail service, contact PIO Kim Evans at 775-328-2730 or 775-813-6787.
RENO, Nevada. Aug. 22, 2007. Citizens interested in receiving immediate information about Washoe County are encouraged to subscribe to the new, interactive "cMail" (County Mail) subscription service. This new program allows citizens to subscribe to a specific County Commissioner’s District, all Districts and/or emergency information announcements. To subscribe, simply visit the webpage www.washoecounty.us/bcc <http://www.washoecounty.us/bcc> and click on a Commissioner’s picture.
Washoe County Webmaster Chris Matthews explained the value of the service to citizens. "This is one of the best ways to receive immediate District specific County information that will be sent directly to your home, office or email enabled portable device. The system is completely secure and will only collect email addresses, therefore assuring anonymity for the subscriber."
Citizens can also respond to a cMail they receive for additional information and/or answers to questions they may have on a particular topic. Washoe County does not provide citizen email lists to outside parties and the subscription can be changed or cancelled at any time. Future enhancements to the county’s "cMail" service include topic specific notifications.
For more information about the Washoe County cMail service, contact PIO Kim Evans at 775-328-2730 or 775-813-6787.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL PASSES SENATE Open Government Advocates Overcome Secret Hold
Key Reforms Fix Delay Problems Identified by Archive Audits; Better Tracking, Reporting, Processing Fees and Ombuds Office
Washington DC, August 4, 2007 - The United States Senate yesterday joined the House in passing bipartisan legislation that will fix several of the most glaring problems with the U.S. Freedom of Information Act that were identified in six government-wide audits of FOIA practice carried out by the National Security Archive. The legislation, authored by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tx.), overcame a hold placed by Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Az) on behalf of Alberto Gonzales' Justice Department. It passed late Friday evening by unanimous consent, on the last day of the Congressional session before the August recess.
After a conference to reconcile provisions between the House and Senate versions, the new law will mandate tracking numbers for FOIA requests that take longer than 10 days to process so they will no longer fall through the cracks, require agencies to report more accurately to Congress on their FOIA programs, create a new ombuds office at the National Archives to mediate conflicts between agencies and requesters, clarify the purpose of FOIA to encourage dissemination of government information, and provide incentives to agencies to avoid litigation and processing delays.
"These are commonsense reforms that will finally force agencies to fix egregious backlogs and reporting problems," said Archive staff counsel Kristin Adair. "But, remarkably, it took several congressional terms to get these straightforward adjustments into the law, with obstruction from the executive branch all along the way, including, ironically, a secret hold by a Senator acting at the behest of the Department of Justice."
Similar legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly during Sunshine Week in March 2007, but progress on the Senate bill has been halted for months by a hold placed by Sen. Kyl on behalf of the Justice Department. After multiple editorials, including several in Sen. Kyl's homestate Arizona Republic, assailed Kyl's position and nicknamed him "the Secrecy Senator," Kyl's staff negotiated new compromise language and allowed the bill to reach the floor today.
"This is a small step for open government, but a giant leap for the United States Senate," said Tom Blanton, director of the National Security Archive. "We applaud Congress' action to fulfill the intent of the Freedom of Information Act. This legislation will correct many of the deficiencies in FOIA that the Archive's audits have revealed."
The most recent audit by the Archive, the Knight Open Government Survey released in July 2007, found that the oldest still-pending FOIA requests had languished in federal agencies for as long as 20 years.
The previous Knight Open Government Survey, released in March 2007, found that only one out of five federal agencies had complied fully with the last FOIA reform legislation, the Electronic FOIA Amendments passed in 1996, intended to post so much government information on the Web that many FOIA requests would become unnecessary.
The Archive's audits of federal government FOIA practice are supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Archive partners in the efforts to reform the FOIA include the OpenTheGovernment.org coalition, the Sunshine in Government Initiative, the Coalition of Journalists for Open Government, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Public Citizen and Public Citizen Litigation Group, and dozens of other groups that signed on to support the House and Senate bills this year.
The full text of the Senate legislation and the Kyl amendment were posted today on the Archive's Web site:
http://www.nsarchive.org
________________________________________________________
THE NATIONAL SECURITY ARCHIVE is an independent non-governmental research institute and library located at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The Archive collects and publishes declassified documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). A tax-exempt public charity, the Archive receives no U.S. government funding; its budget is supported by publication royalties and donations from foundations and individuals.
Key Reforms Fix Delay Problems Identified by Archive Audits; Better Tracking, Reporting, Processing Fees and Ombuds Office
Washington DC, August 4, 2007 - The United States Senate yesterday joined the House in passing bipartisan legislation that will fix several of the most glaring problems with the U.S. Freedom of Information Act that were identified in six government-wide audits of FOIA practice carried out by the National Security Archive. The legislation, authored by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tx.), overcame a hold placed by Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Az) on behalf of Alberto Gonzales' Justice Department. It passed late Friday evening by unanimous consent, on the last day of the Congressional session before the August recess.
After a conference to reconcile provisions between the House and Senate versions, the new law will mandate tracking numbers for FOIA requests that take longer than 10 days to process so they will no longer fall through the cracks, require agencies to report more accurately to Congress on their FOIA programs, create a new ombuds office at the National Archives to mediate conflicts between agencies and requesters, clarify the purpose of FOIA to encourage dissemination of government information, and provide incentives to agencies to avoid litigation and processing delays.
"These are commonsense reforms that will finally force agencies to fix egregious backlogs and reporting problems," said Archive staff counsel Kristin Adair. "But, remarkably, it took several congressional terms to get these straightforward adjustments into the law, with obstruction from the executive branch all along the way, including, ironically, a secret hold by a Senator acting at the behest of the Department of Justice."
Similar legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly during Sunshine Week in March 2007, but progress on the Senate bill has been halted for months by a hold placed by Sen. Kyl on behalf of the Justice Department. After multiple editorials, including several in Sen. Kyl's homestate Arizona Republic, assailed Kyl's position and nicknamed him "the Secrecy Senator," Kyl's staff negotiated new compromise language and allowed the bill to reach the floor today.
"This is a small step for open government, but a giant leap for the United States Senate," said Tom Blanton, director of the National Security Archive. "We applaud Congress' action to fulfill the intent of the Freedom of Information Act. This legislation will correct many of the deficiencies in FOIA that the Archive's audits have revealed."
The most recent audit by the Archive, the Knight Open Government Survey released in July 2007, found that the oldest still-pending FOIA requests had languished in federal agencies for as long as 20 years.
The previous Knight Open Government Survey, released in March 2007, found that only one out of five federal agencies had complied fully with the last FOIA reform legislation, the Electronic FOIA Amendments passed in 1996, intended to post so much government information on the Web that many FOIA requests would become unnecessary.
The Archive's audits of federal government FOIA practice are supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Archive partners in the efforts to reform the FOIA include the OpenTheGovernment.org coalition, the Sunshine in Government Initiative, the Coalition of Journalists for Open Government, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Public Citizen and Public Citizen Litigation Group, and dozens of other groups that signed on to support the House and Senate bills this year.
The full text of the Senate legislation and the Kyl amendment were posted today on the Archive's Web site:
http://www.nsarchive.org
________________________________________________________
THE NATIONAL SECURITY ARCHIVE is an independent non-governmental research institute and library located at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The Archive collects and publishes declassified documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). A tax-exempt public charity, the Archive receives no U.S. government funding; its budget is supported by publication royalties and donations from foundations and individuals.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Links to the Federal Highway Administration, its Bridges site and the National Bridge Inventory data files, plus MN Department of Transportation materials can all be found at University of Minnesota Government Documents.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The Dirksen Congressional Center is pleased to announce the completion of their Editorial Cartoon Collection project:
http://www.congresslink.org/cartoons/index.htm
The editorial cartoons and related lesson plans from The Dirksen Center will teach students to identify issues, analyze symbols, acknowledge the need for background knowledge, recognize stereotypes and caricatures, think critically, and appreciate the role of irony and humor.
- About the Collection -
Editorial cartoonists loved Everett Dirksen (1896-1969)-his position of influence as Minority Leader in the Senate (1959-69), his way with words, and, of course, his distinctive appearance. Over the years, Senator Dirksen's staff compiled a scrapbook containing more than 300 editorial cartoons. Topics covered include Vietnam, civil rights, Republican Party politics, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, reapportionment, Taft-Hartley 14(b), school prayer, Dirksen's recording career, Senate procedures, congressional pay, presidential appointments, and Dirksen's legacy. Naturally, cartoonists also used these topics to depict Dirksen's relationship with President Lyndon Johnson, with his Democratic colleagues in the Senate, and with the Supreme Court. In addition, cartoonists sent Dirksen between 50 and 60 original sketches on equally diverse topics.
Among the scores of cartoonists represented in the collection are Herblock, Gib Crockett, Hugo, Bill Mauldin, Gene Basset, Pat Oliphant, Al Capp, Wayne Stayskal, Jim Berry, Guernsey LePelley, Tom Engelhardt, Paul Conrad, and Jim Berryman.
http://www.congresslink.org/cartoons/index.htm
The editorial cartoons and related lesson plans from The Dirksen Center will teach students to identify issues, analyze symbols, acknowledge the need for background knowledge, recognize stereotypes and caricatures, think critically, and appreciate the role of irony and humor.
- About the Collection -
Editorial cartoonists loved Everett Dirksen (1896-1969)-his position of influence as Minority Leader in the Senate (1959-69), his way with words, and, of course, his distinctive appearance. Over the years, Senator Dirksen's staff compiled a scrapbook containing more than 300 editorial cartoons. Topics covered include Vietnam, civil rights, Republican Party politics, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, reapportionment, Taft-Hartley 14(b), school prayer, Dirksen's recording career, Senate procedures, congressional pay, presidential appointments, and Dirksen's legacy. Naturally, cartoonists also used these topics to depict Dirksen's relationship with President Lyndon Johnson, with his Democratic colleagues in the Senate, and with the Supreme Court. In addition, cartoonists sent Dirksen between 50 and 60 original sketches on equally diverse topics.
Among the scores of cartoonists represented in the collection are Herblock, Gib Crockett, Hugo, Bill Mauldin, Gene Basset, Pat Oliphant, Al Capp, Wayne Stayskal, Jim Berry, Guernsey LePelley, Tom Engelhardt, Paul Conrad, and Jim Berryman.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Two FREE Programs for the Public at Washoe County Law Library
RENO, Nevada. July 23, 2007. The Washoe County Law Library will host a public tour of their facility July 28. The tour and class, titled “Introduction to the Law Library and Legal Resources”, is for people interested in becoming familiar with the law library and what resources are available.
The tour will cover what law is, where it comes from, and how to find it. Also covered will be how to access laws and other materials in the library and on the internet.
These tours will be given on July 28 and Sept. 8 from 10:15 to11:30 a.m. and Aug. 2 and Sept. 13 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. in the Washoe County Law Library, located in the Old Courthouse at 75 Court Street.
Space is limited. Please reserve your spot by contacting the Washoe County Law Library at 775-328-3250.
The Law Library will also host the free public legal seminar “A Consumer’s Guide to the Debt Collection Process, July 2007” on Thursday, July 26, 2007. Thomas Brooksbank, Esq. will present the seminar.
The seminar is held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the law library, located at the District Courthouse, 75 Court Street. Space is limited. Please reserve a spot by contacting the law library at 775-328-3250. The presentation is part of an ongoing series of free monthly community service seminars for the public.
RENO, Nevada. July 23, 2007. The Washoe County Law Library will host a public tour of their facility July 28. The tour and class, titled “Introduction to the Law Library and Legal Resources”, is for people interested in becoming familiar with the law library and what resources are available.
The tour will cover what law is, where it comes from, and how to find it. Also covered will be how to access laws and other materials in the library and on the internet.
These tours will be given on July 28 and Sept. 8 from 10:15 to11:30 a.m. and Aug. 2 and Sept. 13 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. in the Washoe County Law Library, located in the Old Courthouse at 75 Court Street.
Space is limited. Please reserve your spot by contacting the Washoe County Law Library at 775-328-3250.
The Law Library will also host the free public legal seminar “A Consumer’s Guide to the Debt Collection Process, July 2007” on Thursday, July 26, 2007. Thomas Brooksbank, Esq. will present the seminar.
The seminar is held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the law library, located at the District Courthouse, 75 Court Street. Space is limited. Please reserve a spot by contacting the law library at 775-328-3250. The presentation is part of an ongoing series of free monthly community service seminars for the public.
Monday, July 16, 2007
FREE Tour and Class “Introduction to the Law Library and legal resources” AT WASHOE COUNTY LAW LIBRARY
RENO, Nevada. July 16, 2007. The Washoe County Law Library will host a tour of their facility July 28 for lawyers and the public. The tour and class, titled “Introduction to the Law Library and Legal Resources”, is for people interested in becoming familiar with the law library and what resources are available.
The tour will cover what law is, where it comes from, and how to find it. Also covered will be how to access laws and other materials in the library and on the internet.
These tours will be given on July 28 and Sept. 8 from 10:15 to11:30 a.m. and Aug. 2 and Sept. 13 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. in the Washoe County Law Library, located in the Old Courthouse at 75 Court Street.
Space is limited. Please reserve your spot by contacting the Washoe County Law Library at 775-328-3250.
The mission of the law library is to assure equality of access to the law for the public, attorneys, judges and government employees by providing an array of legal materials and resources in a variety of formats as well as provide research instruction and assistance.
The Washoe County Law Library, established in 1915, is the main source of legal information for Washoe County and provides information to other libraries in Nevada through inter-library loans. The law library collection includes a full range of books and technologically enhanced services that provide timely, accurate and efficient access to the law, including local, state and federal government resources.
The staff also maintains the LEAN (Legal Assistance to Nevadans) searchable website www.nvlawdirectory.org. The website provides contact information on all agencies that provide free or low cost legal information in Nevada.
The Washoe County Law Library is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 775-328-3250 or email: lawlib@washoecounty.us.
RENO, Nevada. July 16, 2007. The Washoe County Law Library will host a tour of their facility July 28 for lawyers and the public. The tour and class, titled “Introduction to the Law Library and Legal Resources”, is for people interested in becoming familiar with the law library and what resources are available.
The tour will cover what law is, where it comes from, and how to find it. Also covered will be how to access laws and other materials in the library and on the internet.
These tours will be given on July 28 and Sept. 8 from 10:15 to11:30 a.m. and Aug. 2 and Sept. 13 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. in the Washoe County Law Library, located in the Old Courthouse at 75 Court Street.
Space is limited. Please reserve your spot by contacting the Washoe County Law Library at 775-328-3250.
The mission of the law library is to assure equality of access to the law for the public, attorneys, judges and government employees by providing an array of legal materials and resources in a variety of formats as well as provide research instruction and assistance.
The Washoe County Law Library, established in 1915, is the main source of legal information for Washoe County and provides information to other libraries in Nevada through inter-library loans. The law library collection includes a full range of books and technologically enhanced services that provide timely, accurate and efficient access to the law, including local, state and federal government resources.
The staff also maintains the LEAN (Legal Assistance to Nevadans) searchable website www.nvlawdirectory.org. The website provides contact information on all agencies that provide free or low cost legal information in Nevada.
The Washoe County Law Library is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 775-328-3250 or email: lawlib@washoecounty.us.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
The White House has released and posted it "Initial Benchmark Assessment Report" on Iraq. The report and information as well as the press release are available as follows:
Report
PDF version
http://www.whitehouse.gov/nsc/iraq/2007/FinalBenchmarkReport.pdf
HTML version
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070712.html
President's press conference --
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070712-5.html
Report
PDF version
http://www.whitehouse.gov/nsc/iraq/2007/FinalBenchmarkReport.pdf
HTML version
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070712.html
President's press conference --
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070712-5.html
Thursday, July 12, 2007
FREE MONTHLY LEGAL SEMINAR: “A Consumer’s Guide to the debt collection process, july 2007,”AT WASHOE COUNTY LAW LIBRARY
RENO, Nevada. July 12, 2007. The Washoe County Law Library will host the free public legal seminar “A Consumer’s Guide to the Debt Collection Process, July 2007” on Thursday, July 26, 2007. Thomas Brooksbank, Esq. will present the seminar.
The seminar is held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the law library, located at the District Courthouse, 75 Court Street. Space is limited. Please reserve a spot by contacting the law library at 775-328-3250. The presentation is part of an ongoing series of free monthly community service seminars for the public.
The mission of the law library is to assure equality of access to the law for the public, attorneys, judges and government employees by providing an array of legal materials and resources in a variety of formats as well as provide research instruction and assistance.
The Washoe County Law Library, established in 1915, is the main source of legal information for Washoe County and provides information to other libraries in Nevada through inter-library loans. The law library collection includes a full range of books and technologically enhanced services that provide timely, accurate and efficient access to the law, including local, state and federal government resources.
The staff also maintains the LEAN (Legal Assistance to Nevadans) searchable website www.nvlawdirectory.org. The website provides contact information on all agencies that provide free or low cost legal information in Nevada.
The Washoe County Law Library is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 775-328-3250 or email: lawlib@washoecounty.us.
RENO, Nevada. July 12, 2007. The Washoe County Law Library will host the free public legal seminar “A Consumer’s Guide to the Debt Collection Process, July 2007” on Thursday, July 26, 2007. Thomas Brooksbank, Esq. will present the seminar.
The seminar is held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the law library, located at the District Courthouse, 75 Court Street. Space is limited. Please reserve a spot by contacting the law library at 775-328-3250. The presentation is part of an ongoing series of free monthly community service seminars for the public.
The mission of the law library is to assure equality of access to the law for the public, attorneys, judges and government employees by providing an array of legal materials and resources in a variety of formats as well as provide research instruction and assistance.
The Washoe County Law Library, established in 1915, is the main source of legal information for Washoe County and provides information to other libraries in Nevada through inter-library loans. The law library collection includes a full range of books and technologically enhanced services that provide timely, accurate and efficient access to the law, including local, state and federal government resources.
The staff also maintains the LEAN (Legal Assistance to Nevadans) searchable website www.nvlawdirectory.org. The website provides contact information on all agencies that provide free or low cost legal information in Nevada.
The Washoe County Law Library is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 775-328-3250 or email: lawlib@washoecounty.us.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
The ALA Washington Office has posted an action alert on EPA Libraries
funding:
Ask Senate to Support EPA Libraries: FY 2008 Interior Appropriations Bill
http://www.capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=9998231
The capwiz site makes it easy to take action -- enter your zip and click Go. Please take a few minutes to let your Senators know these libraries are valuable to you, your patrons, and your country.
funding:
Ask Senate to Support EPA Libraries: FY 2008 Interior Appropriations Bill
http://www.capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=9998231
The capwiz site makes it easy to take action -- enter your zip and click Go. Please take a few minutes to let your Senators know these libraries are valuable to you, your patrons, and your country.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Washoe County Social Services EXPANDS RESPONSE TO REPORTS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
RENO, Nevada, July 10, 2007. Beginning today, the community can make reports of child abuse and neglect through the Washoe County Social Services Department 24 hours a day. Social Services can also now initiate an immediate and direct response by a child protective services emergency response worker 24 hours a day.
“We see an average of about 375 investigations a month from phone calls and reports right now,” Mike Capello, Director of Social Services for Washoe County said. “There is a need for a more timely and effective response to reports of child abuse and neglect after hours so we expanded operational hours to respond directly to reports of child abuse and neglect 24 hours a day.” Prior to this, Social Services was only fully operational from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for emergency or high-risk cases.
Washoe County’s child protective services emergency response unit staff was doubled to cover the additional hours of operation. Reports of abuse and neglect can be made to 785-8600 at any time. If a child is in immediate danger, citizens should call 911.
This increase in the Department’s ability to receive calls and respond 24 hours a day is made possible through collaboration with the Crisis Call Center and the approval of additional funding by the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners.
The call is received at Washoe County Social Services until 10 p.m. and after that calls are automatically routed to the Crisis Call Center who then contact the on-call Social Services emergency response workers.
Any person who has reasonable cause to believe child abuse or neglect may be occurring or has occurred may report to Child Protective Services or a law enforcement agency. A report of suspected child abuse or neglect is only a request for an investigation. The person making the report does not need to prove or provide proof that abuse has or may have occurred. Investigation is the responsibility of Child Protective Services and/or law enforcement.
In Nevada, abuse or neglect of a child includes physical and/or mental non-accidental injury; sexual abuse or sexual exploitation; or negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child under age 18 caused or allowed by a person responsible for their welfare.
Neglect or maltreatment of a child occurs if a child has been abandoned, is without proper care, control and supervision or lacks; food, education, shelter, medical care or other care necessary for the well being of the child. This includes leaving young children unsupervised or alone, locked in or out of the house.
Some of the warning signs and symptoms of physical child abuse include cuts, bruises, welts in the shape of an object and resistance to going home. Emotional abuse includes signs of apathy, depression, hostility, and difficulty concentrating.
Phil Ulibarri, Development Coordinator, who spearheads child abuse prevention efforts through the Washoe County District Health Department, said the message to the public is consistent throughout the State – if child abuse is suspected, always report it, for the sake of the child. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
For more information on child abuse/neglect reporting or other social services in Washoe County visit the Washoe County website at www.washoecounty.us/socsrv.
For more detail on recognizing the warning signs and symptoms of the various types of child abuse, another good source of comprehensive information is PCA America’s website: www.preventchildabuse.org. Citizens may also contact Ulibarri at 328-2448 for information on how to get involved in a child abuse prevention program, coordinate a community event or participate in 2007-2008 prevention activities.
RENO, Nevada, July 10, 2007. Beginning today, the community can make reports of child abuse and neglect through the Washoe County Social Services Department 24 hours a day. Social Services can also now initiate an immediate and direct response by a child protective services emergency response worker 24 hours a day.
“We see an average of about 375 investigations a month from phone calls and reports right now,” Mike Capello, Director of Social Services for Washoe County said. “There is a need for a more timely and effective response to reports of child abuse and neglect after hours so we expanded operational hours to respond directly to reports of child abuse and neglect 24 hours a day.” Prior to this, Social Services was only fully operational from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for emergency or high-risk cases.
Washoe County’s child protective services emergency response unit staff was doubled to cover the additional hours of operation. Reports of abuse and neglect can be made to 785-8600 at any time. If a child is in immediate danger, citizens should call 911.
This increase in the Department’s ability to receive calls and respond 24 hours a day is made possible through collaboration with the Crisis Call Center and the approval of additional funding by the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners.
The call is received at Washoe County Social Services until 10 p.m. and after that calls are automatically routed to the Crisis Call Center who then contact the on-call Social Services emergency response workers.
Any person who has reasonable cause to believe child abuse or neglect may be occurring or has occurred may report to Child Protective Services or a law enforcement agency. A report of suspected child abuse or neglect is only a request for an investigation. The person making the report does not need to prove or provide proof that abuse has or may have occurred. Investigation is the responsibility of Child Protective Services and/or law enforcement.
In Nevada, abuse or neglect of a child includes physical and/or mental non-accidental injury; sexual abuse or sexual exploitation; or negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child under age 18 caused or allowed by a person responsible for their welfare.
Neglect or maltreatment of a child occurs if a child has been abandoned, is without proper care, control and supervision or lacks; food, education, shelter, medical care or other care necessary for the well being of the child. This includes leaving young children unsupervised or alone, locked in or out of the house.
Some of the warning signs and symptoms of physical child abuse include cuts, bruises, welts in the shape of an object and resistance to going home. Emotional abuse includes signs of apathy, depression, hostility, and difficulty concentrating.
Phil Ulibarri, Development Coordinator, who spearheads child abuse prevention efforts through the Washoe County District Health Department, said the message to the public is consistent throughout the State – if child abuse is suspected, always report it, for the sake of the child. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
For more information on child abuse/neglect reporting or other social services in Washoe County visit the Washoe County website at www.washoecounty.us/socsrv.
For more detail on recognizing the warning signs and symptoms of the various types of child abuse, another good source of comprehensive information is PCA America’s website: www.preventchildabuse.org. Citizens may also contact Ulibarri at 328-2448 for information on how to get involved in a child abuse prevention program, coordinate a community event or participate in 2007-2008 prevention activities.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
NEW GUIDE TO GETTING FBI FILES: Get Grandpas FBI File dot com
A noncommercial, educational web site to help you get FBI Files for any deceased family member, entirely free of charge.
The site is designed to generate a printable letter that asks the FBI to search their files for records concerning a specified deceased family member, or for that matter any other deceased person.
The site is at:
http://www.GetGrandpasFBIfile.com
This site is a hoot !!
A noncommercial, educational web site to help you get FBI Files for any deceased family member, entirely free of charge.
The site is designed to generate a printable letter that asks the FBI to search their files for records concerning a specified deceased family member, or for that matter any other deceased person.
The site is at:
http://www.GetGrandpasFBIfile.com
This site is a hoot !!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
WASHOE COUNTY IMPLEMENTS EMERGENCY FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES
RENO, Nevada. June 27, 2007. In response to the extremely high fire danger this season, Washoe County Manager Katy Singlaub has requested all 3,000-plus county employees to implement the following procedures as soon as possible.
1) All future Public Works Department and Water Resources Department construction contracts with outside vendors must include an approved fire safety plan.
2) A fire safety handout will be included in all building permit application materials through the County’s Permit Plus Zone, and a discussion of fire safety will occur with all permit applicants.
3) A fire safety training course will be provided to all County employee field personnel (this was done last year too).
4) All field vehicles are to be equipped with fire safety equipment, including a shovel, water, a hand-pump sprayer or other means of spraying water, and a fire extinguisher.
Additionally, the County’s Sierra Forest Protection District, which serves the communities of West Washoe County, has enacted the following fire restrictions for their service territory. A Special Order approved by the State’s Forester Firewarden authorizes these restrictions.
1) No building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, except a portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, outside an established fireplace in a picnic area or campground or places of habitation.
2) No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable vegetation.
3) No operating vehicles or other motorized equipment off of existing paved, gravel or dirt roads.
4) No operating vehicles or other motorized equipment in wildland areas without an axe, shovel and at least one gallon of water.
5) No setting off fireworks.
6) No operating a welding torch or any other device that may cause a fire.
7) The only exemption to the above is for a person(s) with a valid permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
For additional information about the Sierra Fire Protection District, visit their website at www.washoecounty.us/sierrafire <http://www.washoecounty.us/sierrafire> or call Chief Michael Greene at (775) 849-1108.
RENO, Nevada. June 27, 2007. In response to the extremely high fire danger this season, Washoe County Manager Katy Singlaub has requested all 3,000-plus county employees to implement the following procedures as soon as possible.
1) All future Public Works Department and Water Resources Department construction contracts with outside vendors must include an approved fire safety plan.
2) A fire safety handout will be included in all building permit application materials through the County’s Permit Plus Zone, and a discussion of fire safety will occur with all permit applicants.
3) A fire safety training course will be provided to all County employee field personnel (this was done last year too).
4) All field vehicles are to be equipped with fire safety equipment, including a shovel, water, a hand-pump sprayer or other means of spraying water, and a fire extinguisher.
Additionally, the County’s Sierra Forest Protection District, which serves the communities of West Washoe County, has enacted the following fire restrictions for their service territory. A Special Order approved by the State’s Forester Firewarden authorizes these restrictions.
1) No building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, except a portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, outside an established fireplace in a picnic area or campground or places of habitation.
2) No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable vegetation.
3) No operating vehicles or other motorized equipment off of existing paved, gravel or dirt roads.
4) No operating vehicles or other motorized equipment in wildland areas without an axe, shovel and at least one gallon of water.
5) No setting off fireworks.
6) No operating a welding torch or any other device that may cause a fire.
7) The only exemption to the above is for a person(s) with a valid permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
For additional information about the Sierra Fire Protection District, visit their website at www.washoecounty.us/sierrafire <http://www.washoecounty.us/sierrafire> or call Chief Michael Greene at (775) 849-1108.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
FREE MONTHLY LEGAL SEMINAR: “Landlord tenant matters in reno justice court,” AT WASHOE COUNTY LAW LIBRARY
RENO, Nevada. June 22, 2007. The Washoe County Law Library will host the free public legal seminar “Landlord Tenant Matters in Reno Justice Court, June 2007” on Thurs., June 28, 2007. The Hon. Harold G. Albright will present the seminar.
The seminar is held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the law library, located at the District Courthouse, 75 Court Street. Space is limited. Please reserve a spot by contacting the law library at 775-328-3250. The presentation is part of an ongoing series of free monthly community service seminars for the public.
The mission of the law library is to assure equality of access to the law for the public, attorneys, judges and government employees by providing an array of legal materials and resources in a variety of formats as well as provide research instruction and assistance.
The Washoe County Law Library, established in 1915, is the main source of legal information for Washoe County and provides information to other libraries in Nevada through inter-library loans.
The law library collection includes a full range of books and technologically enhanced services that provide timely, accurate and efficient access to the law, including local, state and federal government resources.
The staff also maintains the LEAN (Legal Assistance to Nevadans) searchable website www.nvlawdirectory.org. The website provides contact information on all agencies that provide free or low cost legal information in Nevada.
The Washoe County Law Library is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 775-328-3250 or email: lawlib@washoecounty.us.
RENO, Nevada. June 22, 2007. The Washoe County Law Library will host the free public legal seminar “Landlord Tenant Matters in Reno Justice Court, June 2007” on Thurs., June 28, 2007. The Hon. Harold G. Albright will present the seminar.
The seminar is held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the law library, located at the District Courthouse, 75 Court Street. Space is limited. Please reserve a spot by contacting the law library at 775-328-3250. The presentation is part of an ongoing series of free monthly community service seminars for the public.
The mission of the law library is to assure equality of access to the law for the public, attorneys, judges and government employees by providing an array of legal materials and resources in a variety of formats as well as provide research instruction and assistance.
The Washoe County Law Library, established in 1915, is the main source of legal information for Washoe County and provides information to other libraries in Nevada through inter-library loans.
The law library collection includes a full range of books and technologically enhanced services that provide timely, accurate and efficient access to the law, including local, state and federal government resources.
The staff also maintains the LEAN (Legal Assistance to Nevadans) searchable website www.nvlawdirectory.org. The website provides contact information on all agencies that provide free or low cost legal information in Nevada.
The Washoe County Law Library is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 775-328-3250 or email: lawlib@washoecounty.us.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Presidential Records Bill Approved by Senate Committee, Despite Threat of Veto
CQ TODAY - GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
June 13, 2007 - 2:02 p.m.
By Martin Kady II, CQ Staff
Defying a veto threat from the White House, a Senate committee approved legislation Wednesday that would overturn a Bush administration order that made more presidential records secret.
The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the presidential records bill (S 886 ) by voice vote, but only after some senators said they had problems with the legislation and would seek to amend it on the Senate floor.
The bill would rescind a 2001 executive order that requires both the current and former presidents to sign off on the release of presidential papers and extends that authority to vice presidents as well. The White House opposes the bill and has threatened to veto the legislation in its current form.
The House passed its version of the bill (HR 1255 ) in March with a veto-proof margin, 333-93, but it's not clear whether the bill has that level of support in the Senate.
Sen. George V. Voinovich, R-Ohio, said he was against President Bush's executive order but worried about the breadth of the legislation since it could force presidents to reveal communications with aides.
"I'm not real happy with the executive order, but this legislation may go too far," Voinovich said. He did not offer specifics on how he would seek to amend the bill.
The White House has argued that it has released 2.5 million pages of presidential documents, and only 64 pages have been sealed under Bush's 2001 order.
Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, I-Conn., the chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, may not have a veto-proof margin when the bill heads to the Senate floor.
"I'm honestly not sure," Lieberman said. "There are concerns in the committee, so we'll have to negotiate some amendments before we get to the floor."
Senate leaders have not indicated when the bill would come to the floor.
In other action, the committee yanked a bill (HR 1254 ) that would require presidents to reveal donors to their presidential libraries.
Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, a committee member, objected to the legislation because he thought it would unfairly force Bush to disclose donors for his presidential library while he's in the middle of the fundraising process. Stevens argued that the legislation should either apply only to future presidents or to all presidential libraries, past and present.
"I don't understand why it would apply to the incumbent president," Stevens said. "We should clarify that it should apply to all presidents."
Lieberman agreed to pull the bill from the committee agenda and reconsider it later.
CQ TODAY - GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
June 13, 2007 - 2:02 p.m.
By Martin Kady II, CQ Staff
Defying a veto threat from the White House, a Senate committee approved legislation Wednesday that would overturn a Bush administration order that made more presidential records secret.
The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the presidential records bill (S 886 ) by voice vote, but only after some senators said they had problems with the legislation and would seek to amend it on the Senate floor.
The bill would rescind a 2001 executive order that requires both the current and former presidents to sign off on the release of presidential papers and extends that authority to vice presidents as well. The White House opposes the bill and has threatened to veto the legislation in its current form.
The House passed its version of the bill (HR 1255 ) in March with a veto-proof margin, 333-93, but it's not clear whether the bill has that level of support in the Senate.
Sen. George V. Voinovich, R-Ohio, said he was against President Bush's executive order but worried about the breadth of the legislation since it could force presidents to reveal communications with aides.
"I'm not real happy with the executive order, but this legislation may go too far," Voinovich said. He did not offer specifics on how he would seek to amend the bill.
The White House has argued that it has released 2.5 million pages of presidential documents, and only 64 pages have been sealed under Bush's 2001 order.
Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, I-Conn., the chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, may not have a veto-proof margin when the bill heads to the Senate floor.
"I'm honestly not sure," Lieberman said. "There are concerns in the committee, so we'll have to negotiate some amendments before we get to the floor."
Senate leaders have not indicated when the bill would come to the floor.
In other action, the committee yanked a bill (HR 1254 ) that would require presidents to reveal donors to their presidential libraries.
Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, a committee member, objected to the legislation because he thought it would unfairly force Bush to disclose donors for his presidential library while he's in the middle of the fundraising process. Stevens argued that the legislation should either apply only to future presidents or to all presidential libraries, past and present.
"I don't understand why it would apply to the incumbent president," Stevens said. "We should clarify that it should apply to all presidents."
Lieberman agreed to pull the bill from the committee agenda and reconsider it later.
Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq
The newest version [June 2007] of the quarterly report on "Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq" can be found at:
http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pdfs/9010-Final-20070608.pdf The prior ones can be found as follows:
July 2005 through Nov 2006 --
http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/Iraq_Reports/Index.html
March 2007
http://www.defenselink.mil/home/pdf/9010_March_2007_Final_Signed.pdf
The newest version [June 2007] of the quarterly report on "Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq" can be found at:
http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pdfs/9010-Final-20070608.pdf The prior ones can be found as follows:
July 2005 through Nov 2006 --
http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/Iraq_Reports/Index.html
March 2007
http://www.defenselink.mil/home/pdf/9010_March_2007_Final_Signed.pdf
Monday, June 11, 2007
EPA Halts Library Closures
EPA halts library closures By Courtney Holliday First Amendment Center Online intern 06.08.07
After releasing a plan in August 2006 that would restructure its library system and eliminate several locations, the Environmental Protection Agency has halted further closures of the libraries in response to heavy criticism from lawmakers and advocacy groups.
“EPA is in the process of reviewing its methods of delivering library services. No changes are being made in the EPA Library Network at this time; no changes will be made until we have completed stakeholder input and review,” the EPA said in a May 8, 2007, report to the American Library Association.
EPA’s controversial library plan was developed after the Bush administration’s budget for the 2007 fiscal year left the EPA library system, which is funded through the Office of Environmental Information, with just $500,000 for operations.
The plan would eventually close 10 regional libraries and the headquarters library in Washington, D.C. (The Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City and D.C. libraries were shut down before the closures were halted.) The EPA said these closures were part of a plan to modernize their collections by converting them to digital formats. EPA spokespeople said this digitization process would allow the agency to reach a broader audience.
“By modernizing our libraries, EPA is bringing our cutting edge science to your fingertips, whether you live across the street or on the other side of the world,” Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock said in a Dec. 6 press release.
However, opponents of the plan have reservations about whether the closures are beneficial and whether the digitizing is being handled well.
In her Feb. 6 testimony before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, ALA President and Princeton Public Library Director Leslie Burger raised two concerns with the EPA’s plan for library closure and digitization of the collections.
“In the course of shutting down these libraries, valuable, unique environmental information will be lost or discarded,” she said in her testimony. Burger added that with fewer libraries and staff, “scientists and the public will (also) have limited access to this information. We have a deep concern with limitations these closings would place on the public’s access to EPA library holdings and the public’s ‘right to know.’”
Burger also noted that because current and future equipment compatibility and copyright information, among other factors, have to be considered when digitizing material, the process is slow. However, she said she was especially concerned with the way in which the EPA was handling this process. Materials from the already closed libraries were “dispersed” for digitizing to Research Triangle Park or the National Environmental Publications Internet Site in Cincinnati, but details about how the information was handled were not released. Burger said librarians were concerned that this dispersion may have done long-term damage to the effectiveness of the EPA.
“Unfortunately, there continues to be a lot that we don’t know: exactly what materials are being shipped around the country, whether there are duplicate materials in other EPA libraries, whether these items have been or will be digitized, and whether a record is being kept of what is being dispersed and what is being discarded. We remain concerned that years of research and studies about the environment may be lost forever,” she said.
She noted that overall, there seemed to be no clear plan for the digitization and that the closure of the libraries was done too quickly to evaluate potential concerns.
Despite the concerns raised, the EPA maintains that greater access will be allowed through the online services, and that materials from closed libraries are still available.
“EPA has been establishing a working group of librarians, which includes EPA employees, to ensure the agency’s online library services accomplish our goal of bringing greater access to a broader audience,” EPA Press Officer Suzanne Ackerman told the First Amendment Center. “At the five libraries that no longer have physical space, library services remain available online or through interlibrary loans.”
The EPA acknowledges that the process is complicated and that assessment is needed. Speaking to the Special Libraries Association, Mike Flynn, EPA deputy director of the Office of Information Analysis and Access, reiterated the EPA’s goal of eventually providing a national unified data system for EPA staff, scientists and the community at large but reminded the audience that the changes will be painful and do not happen overnight.
In his speech Flynn discussed the misperceptions about the EPA’s library network recreation, explaining that the changes will enable more efficient distribution of information, especially in the future as more employees become accustomed to working with electronic forms. While correcting misperceptions, however, he says that the agency’s current review of the library network will allow it to determine whether or not the plan should be altered to completely meet future needs.
The EPA did not have much time to respond to initial criticism of its plan. Shortly after the plan was unveiled last fall, Reps. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), and John Dingell (D-Mich.) requested in a Sept. 19 letter that the Government Accountability Office investigate the cuts. The GAO granted the request and in November began a review, which remains in progress, of the EPA’s actions.
Under pressure from members of Congress and groups such as the ALA, the EPA announced in January that it would not close additional libraries until more public outreach was done, according to the Library Journal.
In a Jan. 12 letter to House Committee Chairmen Gordon (Science and Technology), Dingell (Energy and Commerce), Waxman (Oversight and Government Reform), and James Oberstar (D-Minn.) (Transportation and Infrastructure), EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson agreed to a 90-day moratorium on both the closure of additional EPA libraries and disposal after digitization of EPA library materials.
Shortly after, on Feb. 6, Johnson testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and said that the EPA would close no more libraries and would not dispose of any documents.
The library system is home to more than 350,000 reports, books, technical journals, audiotapes and videotapes, along with 50,000 primary-source documents not available anywhere else. A 2004 EPA Library Report, “Business Case for Information Services,” said librarians in the system saved EPA staff more than 214,566 hours of research time that year. In addition to providing the agency’s staff with information, the library system serves the public as an access point to EPA information regarding environmental health hazards, technologies, regulations and litigation. The EPA and other government agencies are required, with few exceptions, to make information and records available for the public under the Freedom of Information Act.
The EPA chief information officer issued an interim library policy on April 16 that explains the library network’s responsibilities and governance. External stakeholders such as scientists, researchers and attorneys who use the library’s resources, will review draft procedures developed by EPA library managers on library usage statistics and dispersion procedures, and an independent third party will review the EPA’s draft digitization procedures. Digitization expert Cathy Hartmann of the University of North Texas, will advise the agency in its procedures and techniques at the suggestion of the ALA. While digitization is occurring, physical materials will not be discarded until the procedures are fully reviewed.
Gordon, Dingell, Waxman and Oberstar, in an April 26 letter to EPA administrator Johnson, requested that “all EPA libraries and library materials be preserved intact until the [GAO] investigation is completed and EPA undertakes an appropriate public process (including consultation with Congress) to decide whether and how to proceed with a library modernization process.” In the letter, they refer to the investigation’s tentative findings as revealing what was originally a “severely flawed library closure planning process.”
The EPA will participate in several external conferences over the summer to exchange information and receive further advice from stakeholders, including exhibiting at the June ALA meeting.
Courtney Holliday is a junior majoring in economics and public policy at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.
EPA halts library closures By Courtney Holliday First Amendment Center Online intern 06.08.07
After releasing a plan in August 2006 that would restructure its library system and eliminate several locations, the Environmental Protection Agency has halted further closures of the libraries in response to heavy criticism from lawmakers and advocacy groups.
“EPA is in the process of reviewing its methods of delivering library services. No changes are being made in the EPA Library Network at this time; no changes will be made until we have completed stakeholder input and review,” the EPA said in a May 8, 2007, report to the American Library Association.
EPA’s controversial library plan was developed after the Bush administration’s budget for the 2007 fiscal year left the EPA library system, which is funded through the Office of Environmental Information, with just $500,000 for operations.
The plan would eventually close 10 regional libraries and the headquarters library in Washington, D.C. (The Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City and D.C. libraries were shut down before the closures were halted.) The EPA said these closures were part of a plan to modernize their collections by converting them to digital formats. EPA spokespeople said this digitization process would allow the agency to reach a broader audience.
“By modernizing our libraries, EPA is bringing our cutting edge science to your fingertips, whether you live across the street or on the other side of the world,” Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock said in a Dec. 6 press release.
However, opponents of the plan have reservations about whether the closures are beneficial and whether the digitizing is being handled well.
In her Feb. 6 testimony before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, ALA President and Princeton Public Library Director Leslie Burger raised two concerns with the EPA’s plan for library closure and digitization of the collections.
“In the course of shutting down these libraries, valuable, unique environmental information will be lost or discarded,” she said in her testimony. Burger added that with fewer libraries and staff, “scientists and the public will (also) have limited access to this information. We have a deep concern with limitations these closings would place on the public’s access to EPA library holdings and the public’s ‘right to know.’”
Burger also noted that because current and future equipment compatibility and copyright information, among other factors, have to be considered when digitizing material, the process is slow. However, she said she was especially concerned with the way in which the EPA was handling this process. Materials from the already closed libraries were “dispersed” for digitizing to Research Triangle Park or the National Environmental Publications Internet Site in Cincinnati, but details about how the information was handled were not released. Burger said librarians were concerned that this dispersion may have done long-term damage to the effectiveness of the EPA.
“Unfortunately, there continues to be a lot that we don’t know: exactly what materials are being shipped around the country, whether there are duplicate materials in other EPA libraries, whether these items have been or will be digitized, and whether a record is being kept of what is being dispersed and what is being discarded. We remain concerned that years of research and studies about the environment may be lost forever,” she said.
She noted that overall, there seemed to be no clear plan for the digitization and that the closure of the libraries was done too quickly to evaluate potential concerns.
Despite the concerns raised, the EPA maintains that greater access will be allowed through the online services, and that materials from closed libraries are still available.
“EPA has been establishing a working group of librarians, which includes EPA employees, to ensure the agency’s online library services accomplish our goal of bringing greater access to a broader audience,” EPA Press Officer Suzanne Ackerman told the First Amendment Center. “At the five libraries that no longer have physical space, library services remain available online or through interlibrary loans.”
The EPA acknowledges that the process is complicated and that assessment is needed. Speaking to the Special Libraries Association, Mike Flynn, EPA deputy director of the Office of Information Analysis and Access, reiterated the EPA’s goal of eventually providing a national unified data system for EPA staff, scientists and the community at large but reminded the audience that the changes will be painful and do not happen overnight.
In his speech Flynn discussed the misperceptions about the EPA’s library network recreation, explaining that the changes will enable more efficient distribution of information, especially in the future as more employees become accustomed to working with electronic forms. While correcting misperceptions, however, he says that the agency’s current review of the library network will allow it to determine whether or not the plan should be altered to completely meet future needs.
The EPA did not have much time to respond to initial criticism of its plan. Shortly after the plan was unveiled last fall, Reps. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), and John Dingell (D-Mich.) requested in a Sept. 19 letter that the Government Accountability Office investigate the cuts. The GAO granted the request and in November began a review, which remains in progress, of the EPA’s actions.
Under pressure from members of Congress and groups such as the ALA, the EPA announced in January that it would not close additional libraries until more public outreach was done, according to the Library Journal.
In a Jan. 12 letter to House Committee Chairmen Gordon (Science and Technology), Dingell (Energy and Commerce), Waxman (Oversight and Government Reform), and James Oberstar (D-Minn.) (Transportation and Infrastructure), EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson agreed to a 90-day moratorium on both the closure of additional EPA libraries and disposal after digitization of EPA library materials.
Shortly after, on Feb. 6, Johnson testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and said that the EPA would close no more libraries and would not dispose of any documents.
The library system is home to more than 350,000 reports, books, technical journals, audiotapes and videotapes, along with 50,000 primary-source documents not available anywhere else. A 2004 EPA Library Report, “Business Case for Information Services,” said librarians in the system saved EPA staff more than 214,566 hours of research time that year. In addition to providing the agency’s staff with information, the library system serves the public as an access point to EPA information regarding environmental health hazards, technologies, regulations and litigation. The EPA and other government agencies are required, with few exceptions, to make information and records available for the public under the Freedom of Information Act.
The EPA chief information officer issued an interim library policy on April 16 that explains the library network’s responsibilities and governance. External stakeholders such as scientists, researchers and attorneys who use the library’s resources, will review draft procedures developed by EPA library managers on library usage statistics and dispersion procedures, and an independent third party will review the EPA’s draft digitization procedures. Digitization expert Cathy Hartmann of the University of North Texas, will advise the agency in its procedures and techniques at the suggestion of the ALA. While digitization is occurring, physical materials will not be discarded until the procedures are fully reviewed.
Gordon, Dingell, Waxman and Oberstar, in an April 26 letter to EPA administrator Johnson, requested that “all EPA libraries and library materials be preserved intact until the [GAO] investigation is completed and EPA undertakes an appropriate public process (including consultation with Congress) to decide whether and how to proceed with a library modernization process.” In the letter, they refer to the investigation’s tentative findings as revealing what was originally a “severely flawed library closure planning process.”
The EPA will participate in several external conferences over the summer to exchange information and receive further advice from stakeholders, including exhibiting at the June ALA meeting.
Courtney Holliday is a junior majoring in economics and public policy at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Now online: Great Basin Land and Water Study Final Report
From Amy Shannon, Life Sciences Librarian, University of Nevada, Reno (UNR)
Thanks to the folks at USDA/NRCS Nevada State Office, we now have the entire text of the Great Basin Land and Water Study Final Report available on the Nevada Rangelands site.
You can find a link on the right-hand side of Nevada Rangelands: http://www.library.unr.edu/subjects/guides/range/Default.htm
Or you can bookmark it directly at: http://www.library.unr.edu/subjects/guides/range/gblw.html
This is an important study that may be in high demand by anyone looking for information related to Nevada water policy. It is also known as: “Issues and Opportunities for Acquiring Water from Willing Sellers to Increase Walker Lake Inflows.”
From Amy Shannon, Life Sciences Librarian, University of Nevada, Reno (UNR)
Thanks to the folks at USDA/NRCS Nevada State Office, we now have the entire text of the Great Basin Land and Water Study Final Report available on the Nevada Rangelands site.
You can find a link on the right-hand side of Nevada Rangelands: http://www.library.unr.edu/subjects/guides/range/Default.htm
Or you can bookmark it directly at: http://www.library.unr.edu/subjects/guides/range/gblw.html
This is an important study that may be in high demand by anyone looking for information related to Nevada water policy. It is also known as: “Issues and Opportunities for Acquiring Water from Willing Sellers to Increase Walker Lake Inflows.”
Thursday, May 24, 2007
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