Environmental Protection Agency Library Network

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 centres, and laboratories nation-wide. In 2006, EPA issued a plan to reorganise the network beginning in fiscal year 2007. The plan proposed closing libraries and dispersing, disposing of, and digitising library materials. GAO was asked to assess (1) the status of, and plans for, the network reorganisation; (2) EPA’s rationale for reorganising the network; (3) the extent to which EPA has communicated with and solicited the views of EPA staff and external stakeholders in, conducting the reorganisation; (4) EPA’s steps to maintain the quality of library services after the reorganisation; and (5) how EPA is funding the network and its reorganisation. For this study, GAO reviewed pertinent EPA documents and interviewed EPA officials and staff from each of the libraries.