A major U.S. government relations topic for library associations in 2007 was the closing of several Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) libraries, including the headquarters library, with little notice or information about the deaccessioning of the collections. In December 2007, Congress passed favorable legislative language as part of the huge fiscal year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill, H.R. 2764 (Public Law No, 110-161).
SLA Policy Chief Doug Newcomb recently sent a helpful email to the DGI and Government Relations email lists explaining some of the legislative details. Due to the great interest our members had in this topic last year, we're copying Doug's email here to reach members who may read our blog but don't read the list. DGI will continue to keep you up-to-date with help from Doug Newcomb.
From Doug Newcomb, SLA HQ:
The FY08 EPA budget, approved in the omnibus budget bill, allocates $1 million to restore EPA’s network of libraries. In communications with EPA staff, SLA has received clarification that this $1 million is additional money, above the budget requested by the EPA, and is specifically to restore the network of regional EPA libraries which were recently closed or consolidated by the Administration in 2007.
There has been some confusion, as well as inconsistencies reported by the press, as to the amount of money earmarked for restoration of libraries and services in the FY08 EPA budget. This confusion stems from reports of an earlier bill, proposed by the Senate, which included $2 million above the EPA budget request for libraries. SLA received clarification from EPA staff on January 10, 2008, that the amount is indeed $1 million above the FY08 EPA budget request for libraries, in addition to the EPA libraries operating budget for 2008.
The EPA’s budget is complex. What is unclear, as of early January, is the amount of the entire 2008 budget for EPA libraries. There is not a single line item for libraries; the libraries funds are broken up across multiple areas in various EPA office budgets. SLA will provide additional information as it becomes available on the amount of the total budget for libraries.
According to the Appropriations Report EPA reports, “The amended bill includes $1,000,000 above the request to restore the network of EPA libraries recently closed or consolidated by the Administration, instead of $2,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. The Agency is directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations regarding actions it will take to restore publicly available libraries to provide environmental information and data to each EPA region within 90 days of enactment of this Act.”
LIBRARY LANGUAGE is on page 35 OF THIS 141 PAGE DOCUMENT:
http://www.rules.house.gov/110/text/omni/jes/jesdivf.pdf
WHICH CAN BE FOUND AT:
http://www.rules.house.gov/110_fy08_omni.htm
Select Division F: Joint Explanatory statement on Dept of Interior (includes EPA)
In early 2006, the EPA budget proposed cuts of $2 million that would affect its network of 26 libraries and information centers. SLA vehemently opposed this decision and took action—and continued communications stressing the importance of access to the unique information managed by the EPA’s network.
SLA EPA Library History Link: (http://www.sla.org/content/SLA/advocacy/EPA/epaupdate.cfm)