Restructuring EPA's Libraries: Background and Issues for Congress

Near the end of the 109th Congress, some Members raised questions about the closing of several libraries administered by the Environmental Protection Agency EPA, expressing concerns about the continued availability of the agencys collections. Library professional associations and public interest groups raised similar questions about access to this information. EPA reported that the closings were part of its efforts to restructure its libraries in response to the agencys transition from walk-in services to electronic dissemination of information, as a result of the increasing use of the Internet to access its collections. In response to the concerns about the library closings, EPA announced a temporary moratorium in January 2007, prohibiting further changes to its library services while the agency continued digitizing its collections. Interest in the library closings has continued into the 110th Congress. Although Members and Committees of Congress have addressed the closings in letters to EPA and in hearings, Congress has not addressed the matter so far in appropriations bills or other legislation. This report summarizes EPAs plan to restructure its libraries, examines relevant issues, and discusses congressional action in response to the agencys plan.