EPA library update

[eridani]

From Union of Concerned Scientists--

Two weeks ago, we asked you to call Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen Johnson and urge him to halt the dismantling of the library system.

Pressure from you, UCS, and other organizations has driven media coverage of the problem. The EPA has responded with a press release and press conference, both of which failed to address many of the central problems with the EPA's decision to close its libraries. There are even factual errors in the press release; the American Library Association has not provided guidance or criteria to the EPA and continues to raise significant concerns about the EPA's actions.

The EPA tells us that some of your phone and email messages to specific EPA public affairs staff have been brought to EPA senior management. As a result, EPA has asked to meet with UCS, but we need your help: if your work depends on access to EPA documents and research, we need you to tell us your story.

Please let us know how you utilize the EPA libraries—and specifically, if your work has been or would be impacted by library closure and/or delayed access to documents—by confidentially contacting UCS Analyst Tim Donaghy at tdonaghy {at} ucsusa.org or 202-331-6944. Please be as specific as possible and let us know if you can speak openly or would prefer to be anonymous. Tim or I will be in touch with you about the most strategic way to weigh in.

[eridani]

1. Stephen Johnson needs some phone calls too

202-564-4700