United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Infpfmation Resources
Managfeme^t
(PM-211D)
issue Number 9
September 1991
wEPA INFO ACCESS
Library Network Communications
EPA/NOAA Library Information Network
Catalog (LINC) by Jonda Byrd, IMSD
The Information Management and Services Division and the National Oceanic
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have developed the EPA/NOAA Library
Information Network Catalog (LINC) on CD-ROM. It is a project that supports the
Library Network's goal of providing environmental information to EPA staff for key
decision making. EPA/NOAA LINC contains the holdings of the 28 EPA Libraries
and the 22 NOAA Libraries and Information Centers. The combined holdings offer
access to more than 228,000 records of environmental information.
EPA/NOAA LINC lists books, documents, technical reports, maps, conference
proceedings, journals, and materials in a variety of formats. The EPA and NOAA
library collections were developed to support research in environmental and
atmospheric sciences, oceanography, environmental engineering, geophysics,
environmental policy and management, meteorology, and numerous related fields
of study.
The CD-ROM will be installed in selected EPA Libraries and program offices in
September for a pilot test period. Future plans include implementation of a LAN
version of LINC to provide even greater access to environmental information.
This CD-ROM provides context sensitive, on-screen help windows and monitors
the user's activity including the'outcome of previous searches. The user can review
a log of the search session, save relevant citations and get advice on additional
related topics. The retrieval speed is excellent and there are mechanisms set up to
prevent a user from getting lost in the system. LINC is a powerful tool for accessing
environmental information with sophisticated features. It is an intelligent catalog
Continued on page 2
fT
Public Access to OLS
Effective Monday, September 16, 1991, the National Computer Center (NCC)
will add Option #6, 'Public Access Applications Menu' to the EPA menu system.
Customers who select this option will then be able to choose CATALOG from the
selection menu. The CATALOG application will be entitled ' EPA National
Library Catalog of Holdings.' [Online Library System] For more information or
questions call Customer Technical Support at FTS 629-7862, (919) 541 -7862
or toll-free (800) 334-2405.
NOAA LINC and
Information
Technology in the
NOAA Libraries:
An Interview with
Lynda Kuntz
Lynda Kuntz is the Systems Librar-
ian tor the Library and Information
Services Division at the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration (NOAA). Jonda Byrd,
Program Manager of EPA's National
L ibrary Network Program conducted
this interview by telephone for
INFOACCESS.
Q What is your background
as a systems librarian?
fi Before I came to NOAA I was
bitten by the computer bug. I worked
in a small two-person technical
library, where we had real comput-
ers, not just OCLC terminals. I
worked with my assistant to
automate all of the library functions.
I like that kind of work and I wanted
to get into a situation where I spent
more time doing computer- related
library work. So when I saw the
announcement that the NOAA
library was going to have a systems
librarian, I jumped at it. Formal
education for my current position
(when I was doing my MBA work at
Emory) was limited; one of the
program requirements was to write
a program in Basic. The rest of my
Continued on page 2
Printed on Recycled Paper
-------
EPA/NOAA LINC
from page 1
with an internal logic system that simu-
lates artificial intelligence (Al). Its Al
expert system with hypertext, syntax
analysis and thesaurus substitution
techniques enhances the user's ability
to locate information in the system.
The CD-ROM drive is located in a
dedicated workstation with a color-
coded keyboard. The system has three
main access paths: FIND ANYTHING
allows you to search every word in the
database including the notes; VIEW
CATALOG allows a user to limit a
search by type ot entry ; and BROWSE
TOPICS lists subject categories
according to the Library of Congress
(LC) classification that are contained
in the database. LINC recognizes any
type of entry whether it be a title,
author, subject or keyword search. It
can be searched by natural language
and experienced searchers can use
Boolean operators.
For more information about the EPA/
NOAA CD-ROM contact Jonda Byrd
at FTS 684-7183 or Email J.BYRD. *
INFOACCESS is produced by
the Information Access Branch
of the Information Manage-
ment and Services Division,
Washington, DC.
Staff
Mary Hoffman, LABAT-
ANDERSON Incorporated
Please send your comments
and suggestions to:
Mary Hoffman, Network
Coordinator (PM211A)
EPA Headquarters Library
401M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
[ FTS 260-7762///EPA30360
^ 4
Interview from page 1
education has been gained on the job,
and at one and two day courses. A lot
of it has been sitting down with other
people and manuals and trying to
figure things out.
Q What is your role in the NOAA
Library Network?
fl I work for NOAA's Central Library
so my role is an advisory one to the
library and to the network; I work
closely with Janice Beattie, the Branch
Chief for the Library Network. When 1
came to NOAA in 1988 my first task
was to look at the current require-
ments initiative and draw up a new
one. [ NOAA is like EPA and a lot of
other Government agencies in that
when it comes to systems and
computers you have to do a planning
document. At NOAA we call it a
"requirements initiative."] It is a five
year planning document and has to be
approved through appropriate
channels. We wanted to be sure the
requirements initiative addressed the
needs of the NOAA Central Library,
and wherever possible include the
network libraries. The NOAA Library
Network had many dial-in library
systems that had to be considered.
The new requirements initiative
gave each library its own CD work-
station. I try to help the NOAA librar-
ians whenever I can, not only with the
NOAA LINC system, but whenever
they get new CD-ROM products. I
help them figure out how to configure
the system so that they can go from
one product to another.
Q What systems are available in
the NOAA Libraries?
fl I have limited knowledge about all
the systems that are available in the
NOAA libraries. The libraries all have
access to OCLC. Some have OCLC
terminals, some have generic com-
puter terminals, and most all of them
have access to DIALOG. Many of
them are tied into systems that are on
the mainframe atjhejr laboratories.
Q You have an extensive CD
collection - how many titles do
you have?
fl We have some 35 CD's running
right now but the number often
changes. The collection grows every
month by one or two titles; I just got a
free one at a conference. A lot of the
disks contain data collected by NOAA
but are produced commercially. We
do have about 10 disks that have NOAA
data and were produced by NOAA
offices.
Q How did you get 35 different
CDs running compatibly?
fl It has been very difficult to have a
workstation with a front end menu so
that the patrons can find information
easily, but it has gotten better. Initially
the commercial vendors had set up the
CDs to work one per terminal. That
situation has improved somewhat, but
I still have some CDs with software
encoded in the product - in other words
you can't change or modify it.
Q Are your CD-ROMs accessed
through a network, jukebox or
are they daisy-chained?
fl Right now we have individual
workstations - each has a CPU with a
CD-ROM player. With five set up in the
public service work area, it is very
labor intensive because when we get a
new product or update I have to go to
each workstation and load the soft-
ware, make the modification, and
add it to the menu.
We are in the process of negotiat-
ing to buy a CD-ROM LAN network.
We are going to start with a small
system, and negotiate for a system
that is able to expand. As you can see
we keep getting new things. We also
want to add dial-in capability in the
future. Many of our NOAA clients are
not here at the Rockville office; NOAA
in the DC area is spread around the
Beltway.
Continued on page 3
INFOACCESS IBm SEPTEMBER 1991
-------
OP
In Print
¦lencywide Numbering System
T3ne aspect of EPA's mission is to assure that environ-
mental information is made available to the public. We
must be able to identify and locate the information before
we can provide access to it. The institution of an
Agencywide numbering system for all publications is
essential to enable efficient tracking and to ensure
appropriate dissemination of EPA publications.
The Office of Information Resources Management, Office
of Communications and Public Affairs, Office of Admin-
istration and Resources Management-Cincinnati, and
theCenterfor Environmental Research Information have
been working together to establish this Agencywide
system. The proposed system is in the final stages of
development and is very similarto the one currently used
for scientific and technical reports. It will be presented to the
program offices for comment. For more information please call
Jonda Byrd at FTS 684-7183.
Green Databases
There was an interesting article in the August 1991 issue of
DATABASE, entitled, "The Greening of Databases. Part 1.
General Interest Databases," by Frederick W. Stoss, Carbon
Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Oak Ridge National
Laboratory. This article provides a discussion of online data-
bases used to retrieve vital, multi-disciplinary information about
the environment. Part 2, on scientificand technical environmental
databases, is scheduled to appear in the October issue of
DATABASE. Part 3, on the coverage of environmental issues
in business databases, is scheduled for a future issue. &
Interview from page 2
Q NOAA LINC has been in your
libraries for some time now.
What has been your clients'
response to NOAA LINC?
fi Fantastic. One of the things we
have not done is an evaluation. Maybe
we should do one, but I think we can
judge the clients' response from the
use of the system. We are getting
more usage, and more sharing of
resources between the NOAA
libraries. It is easy to use, and the
person can tell right then if the library
has the item, and if it doesn't what
libraries do have the item. The NOAA
staff has really responded positively
to its extra features, such as a way to
keep track of their searching and print
out their notes. We are very happy
with it.
Q How long has NOAA LINC
been available to the NOAA
libraries?
fl I believe it has been available in
the libraries since late 1988.
Q How did the EPA/NOAA LINC
project come about?
fl We have had a good working rela-
tionship with the local EPA library, and
when the EPA staff at Headquarters
saw our catalog, they were pleased
with it. Tthe project just evolved from
that point.
Q What are some of the future
plans for technology in the
NOAA Libraries?
fl In addition to the CD-ROM
network, LAN, and dial-in capability,
we have been working on some
proposals .to get additional funding to
support some of our programs. The
two key words for the programs are
"access" and "rescue." In other words
we are looking at ways to provide more
access to data and information that we
have in our NOAA libraries. On the
rescue side we are looking at ways
that we can rescue materials that are
deteriorating in our libraries.
We are looking at technology that
will allow us to provide additional
access and give us the means to
rescue our materials. Most recently
we have written a proposal that, if
approved, will give us optical disk
capability. We will be able to scan in
images, have them indexed onto a
WORM, and thereby rescue the data.
It would also make information more
readily accessible by the users. &
¦ft
ACCESS EPA Series
The 1991 ACCESS EPA
series of directories will be
available in the Fall. Copies
will be distributed to all of the
EPA libraries.
Use the Flyer on page 9 of
this issue as a handout to
publicize the series and to
provide more information to
your customers.
For more information about
any of the directories, contact
Ann Dugan, LAl, at the EPA
Headquarters Library at FTS
260-5922. * Mary Hoffman, LAI
^ }J
SEPTEMBER 1991
INFOACCESS
-------
Profile: Technology/Automation in th„ ^
'^access mtlpreseniase^ni n the Corvallis Library
INFOACCESS will present a series of
articles about technology in the librarv
network. Mary Hoffman talkedtoS
McVeety about recent technological
impro vements at the Corvallis Library
wh,ch supports the staff at EPA's
Environmental Research Laboratory
m Corvalhs, Oregon. Renie has
recently been promoted to Site
Manager of the Computer Sciences
Corporation staff at Corvallis, and is
recruiting for a new library manager.
In the las! year and a half the
Corvallis Library has undergone an
extensive modernization program. It is
evolving from a paper-intensive, low-
ech environment to a high-tech envi-
almmen; jhe 'ibrary not ^ as
automated as some of the bigger
hbraries in the network but it provides
a good example of what a small site
can do.
Swx sy;ccwosh. pc,
users, as well as a Ja ted to ,he
S,^er2SeXr'a
can also offer file and disk IS 3ry
between PC anri inversion
The library's Minolta a°lntosh formats.
teartarH,0'0rm,eader'
computer area ,n the user
The staff, led by Renie McVeety
started with an in-depth review of the
collection and services. First Renie
conducted a series of client require-
ment interviews with managers and
key personnel in the scientific
research branches. She developed
structured interviews with open-ended
questions to identify the needs of the
users and the gaps that the library
needed to fill. After evaluating the
responses, a plan to improve library
resources and services was drafted.
She then reported the results to the
Senior Management Team. This
briefing proved to be especially
valuable when planning the budget
For example, as a result of increasina
requests for searching capabilities, the
W3S ab,e t0 Purchase a CD-
ROM player with a 6-disk changer.
The biggest change in the Corvallis
library was the creation of a "user
computer area." The Laboratory does
ave a standard EPA Information
teron site, so the library has taken
on some functions normally attributed
to an information center. The library
EPA Source deskton h?" has the
ware, slidemaker scann 9 S0
-------
Pollution Prevention Information
Clearinghouse (PPIC) by Barclay Inge,
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
The U.S. EPA has established a
national clearinghouse known as the
Pollution Prevention Information
Clearinghouse (PPIC) as part of the
Agency's ongoing efforts to change its
emphasis from end-of-pipe treatment
technologiesto preventing pollution at
its source. PPIC is designed to provide
technology transfer, education, and
public awareness to facilitate the
reduction of industrial pollutants.
PPIC serves a broad user group
comprised of all levels of government,
industry, academia, trade associations,
international organizations, and public
interest groups. In support of its mission,
the PPIC operates four main compo-
nents:
S The Hotlines allow users to
access the clearinghouse by calling
the PPIC Technical Support Hotline
(703-821-4800), EPA'S RCRA/
Superfund Hotline (800-424-9346 or
*02-382-3000), or the Small Business
Ombudsman Hotline (800-368-5888).
These phone lines are provided to
enable the public to access the clear-
inghouse and pose technicalquestions
or order documents.
~ PIES [Pollution Prevention Infor-
mation Exchange System! is an
interactive electronic bulletin board and
database system that is available with-
out cost to anyone with a computer and
a modem. PIES offers technical,
legislative, programmatic, and other
pollution prevention information. The
access number for PIES is (703) 506-
1025. A toll-free number is available to
qualified Federal, State, and local
officials by calling the PPIC.
S Outreach is an active component
of the clearinghouse that includes such
activities as publishing a newsletter to
update PPIC/PIES users on clearing-
house developments. PPIC staff also
develop general and industry-specific
documents and flyers to facilitate
Pollution prevention training and edu-
cation. The staff attend conferences
and seminars to demonstratethe PIES
system.
/ The Repository contains nearly
2000 documents including fact sheets,
technical reports, periodicals, mono-
graphs, and conference proceedings.
These documents are abstracted and
are searchable on the PIES system.
Adocumentorderingfunctionis being
installed on PIES to allow users to
obtain hard copy documents from
NTIS.
The PPIC Repository is currently
undergoing a reorganization that
includes a reclassification of all hold-
ings. All documents are being cata-
loged using the Library of Congress
(AACR2) classification scheme to
match the system utilized by the EPA
libraries. A duplicate of all PPIC docu-
ments will be shipped to the EPA
Headquarters Library where they will
be available for interlibrary loan.
As the collection is retrospec-
tively converted to the LC system, the
holdings wil be listed in the OCLC
database. In addition, as the catalog
conversion moves forward, an elec-
tronic access catalog of all PPIC
holdings is being constructed. Biblio-
graphic information and abstracts of
each document will provide
researchers with multiple access
points such as author, title, subject,
keywords from the abstracts, LC call
number, SIC number, etc.
The PPIC repository database
will be available for use at the EPA
Headquarters Library. In the future,
this database may be made available
at other EPA libraries as needed. For
further information concerning the
PPIC or document collection, please
contact the Clearinghouse at (703)
821-4800 or write to: PPIC, 7600A
Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA
22043. *
r Headquarters Phone
Numbers Converted
to WITS
WITS stands for the Washington
Interagency Telecomunications
System. It is the new phone system for
Federal agencies in the Washington
metropolitan area. When implementa
tion is completed sometime in 1992, it
will service approximately 135,000
Federal Government lines in 68 loca
tions in the Washington area.
The General Services Administra-
tion implemented WITS at EPA's
Waterside Mall and Fairchild Building
on August 23,1991. EPA locations at
Crystal Station 1 and Crystal Mall 2 are
[tentatively scheduled for transition to
WITS on November 15, 1991. New
numbers at Crystal Mall 2 and Crystal
Station 1 will have different FTS and
commercial prefixes. The new
I commercial prefix for Crystal Mall 2 will
be 305; the new FTS prefix will be 365.
At Crystal Station 1, the commercial
prefix will be 308 and the FTS prefix will
be 478.
The new prefix for the Waterside
Mall and Fairchild Building is 260. This
will be the prefix for both FTS and
commercial numbers. While most of
the phone numbers will maintain the
same last four digits, some will be
different. There is a conversion table in
the August 1991 EPA Headquarters
Telephone Directory. & j
Corvallis from page 4
the modernization. Systems demon -
strat ions were conducted for CD-ROM
databases, including Current Contents
on Disk, Index to EPA Test Methods
database, and electronic publishing
software and hardware.
The laboratory has been very
supportive of the library, because the
staff has been successful at translating
the users demands into terms that
management can understand. * Rente
McVeety, CSC and Mary Hoffman, LAI
SEPTEMBER 1991
INFOACCESS
-------
Technology Notes
3270 Access to JURIS
JURIS is a full-text legal informa-
tion retrieval system designed and
maintained by the U.S. Department of
Justice (DOJ). The database contains
Federal and State case materials,
Federal statutes and regulatory
materials, administrative decisions,
Presidential documents, treaties, DOJ
briefs, Shepard's Citations, and special
litigation support files.
EPA staff who need access to the
JURIS system can now use 3270
terminals or equivalent emulations for
terminal sessions and access to JURIS.
Previously, the only access method
was dial-up from certain PCs and
LANs. Now 3270 users can access
JURIS by simply typing the word "juris"
atthe National Computer Center (NCC)
IBM ES/900menu system screen or by
selecting number 5 on the menu
system.
Any contact with the Department
of Justice must be made through an
assigned EPA regional field contact
who will be responsible for acquiring
new sign-on IDs and setting up initial
remote print procedures. A list of
contacts is available in the NCC dataset:
'JUSD. JURIS. DATA(CONTACTS)'
online on the IBM. A valid ID to access
JURIS is required and can be obtained
from Carmela Washington at DOJ. Her
telephone number is (202) 514-5703 or
(FTS) 368-5703.
Once access to JURIS is gained,
any questions or concerns should be
addressed to the JURIS help staff, known
as the Legal and Information Systems
Staff (LISS). This group is comprised of
attorneys qualified to assist our EPA
community with any internal JURIS ap-
plication questions, and can be reached
at (FTS) 368-4537 or (202) 514-4537. To
log off JURIS, use the "ENDSEARCH"
command.
File transfer capability is not available
via the 3270 access. Those needing
direct file transfer to and from the
workstation must continue to use dial-up
access as in the past. This capability may
be available at a later date.
Additional information about
JURIS is available by accessing the
TSO system online dataset
'JUSD.JURIS.DATA'. A copy of it
may be printed through the TSO
PRINTOFF command.
Example: PRINTOFF
'JUSD.JURIS.DATA' BIN# DEST
(REMOTE# OR N1)
Customers may contact NCC
Customer Technical Support (for-
merly User Support) for assistance
with dataset printing instructions by
calling (FTS) 629-7862, (919) 541-
7862, or(800)334-2405.
EPA customers who have diffi-
culty accessing JURIS from the EPA
menu should contact the Network
Control Facility at (FTS) 629-4506 ou
(800) 334-0741. Problems with th»
JURIS system should be reported to
the DOJ JURIS Legal and Informa-
tion Systems Staff (LISS) or Help
Desk at (FTS) 368-4537 or (202)
514-4537 between 9:00 A.M. and
5:30 P.M. Eastern Time. &
Electronic Mail: What Are You Waiting For?
This is the best time ever to become a regular user of electronic mail. You do not need any special permission to set up
your own Emailbox. On the contrary„the Agency is encouraging all EPA staff and EPA contractors to take advantage of
Email s benefits. In addition, EPA is encouraging State environmental contacts to join its Email network.
Jonda Byrd, the Library Network Program Manager, will be using Email to facilitate communication among network
members, to share t.me-sensrt.ve information, to explain policies and survey the members. It will be increasingly important
for all librarians to have access to the system. All network members are encouraged to use the following distribution lists
to share information, seek resolutions to problems, and work more closely with their colleagues.
@MAJ.LIBRARIES: lists the principal contact at each site.
@REG.LIBRARIES: lists at least one contact person at each Regional Library
@ALL.LIBRARIES: lists all EPA Librarians with Email access.
The names of all distribution lists on AII-in-1 begin with the @ symbol or end with the letter "a" When the library lists were
transferred to the new AII-in-1 system, the @ symbol was added to the beginning of each name For example, at the TO:
prompt, type in @ALL.LIBRARIES.
Don't delay. Sign up for Email access and use it today. "8s Mary Hoffman, LAI
11 " ' -fcWWWawv- i
INFOACCESS
SEPTEMBER 1991
-------
1991 Information Systems Inventory (ISI) Update
The Information Systems Inven-
tory (ISI) contains information on
approximately 500 of EPA's current
information systems as well as some
models and databases, and is the
definitive source of summary informa-
tion about EPA's systems. The ISI was
developed to enhance the Agency's
ability to track major information
systems and share information across
media and program boundaries. Infor-
mation for the ISI was collected through
a major mailing and telephone collec-
tion effort to all previously registered
system contacts. In addition, OIRM
coordinated this update process with
Senior IRM officials and other EPA
Headquarters and Regional staff.
The ISI database is maintained
and updated by the In formation
Management and Services Division
(IMSD) of the Office of Information
Resources Management (OIRM), and
is available in hardcopy and automated
forms through the National Technical
Information Service (NTIS). For each
system in the inventory, the following
information is collected and main-
tained: system name and acronym,
system level, responsible organiza-
tion, contact person, legislative
authorities, database descriptors,
access information, hardware and
software, system abstract, and key-
words.
The printed version of ISI includes
four indexes: an alphabetized list of
system names, an alphabetized list of
system acronyms, a list of the systems
arranged according to system level,
and a list of publicly available systems.
The automated version of the ISI
database is available in a microcom-
puter-based form which allows the user
to search through the database more
rapidly and selectively. The copy can
be installed on any IBM PC-compat-
ible computer, although an IBM AT-
level microcomputer or better is
recommended for best performance.
In addition, a Macintosh prototype
version of the ISI is also available in
HyperCard. A diskette copy of the ISI
database and search programs can
be obtained by EPA staff upon request.
The Division is sending copies of
the Inventory to the Library Network
and to State environmental libraries.
EPA staff may receive copies of the
database and software by submitting
a request to IMSD, PM-211D.
Contractors and others interested
in obtaining the database can contact
the National Technical Information
Service, 5285 Port Royal Road,
Springfield, VA 22161, to purchase
the system and documentation. The
NTIS phone number is 1 -800-336-4700
or (703) 487-4650. The publication
numbers and estimated prices for the
items available are:
~ Hardcopy of ISI, $31.00.
[PB91-172940]
~ Automated personal computer ver-
sion with User's Guide, $80.00.
[PB91-507558]
~ Macintosh Prototype version with
User's Guide, $80.00. [PB91-507566]
~ PC Version User's Guide, $17.00.
[PB91 -172957]
~ Macintosh Version User's Guide,
$15.00. [PB91-172950] *
Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) on the All-in-1 System
IRIS contains chemical summary health risk and
regulatory information on approximately 500 chemicals.
An IRIS chemical file includes up to six types of risk
related information: Oral Reference Doses, Inhalation
Reference Concentrations, Risk Estimates for
Carcinogens, Drinking Water Health Advisories, U.S.
EPA Regulatory Action Summaries, and Supplemen-
tary Data. Each of these sections is included in an IRIS
file as it is available. Not all files will have all sections.
On August 10 the Agency completed its conversion
fromBTTymnet'sDialcomservicetothe All-in-1 system.
As of that date, the Dialcom service will no longer be
available to Agency users for electronic messaging.
Regular IRIS users can continue to have access to IRIS
(at BT Tymnet) through the AII-in-1 system. A special
menu item has been added to the AII-in-1 system that
will connect you with BT Tymnet.
To access IRIS through the AII-in-1 system follow the
steps outlined below:
1. From any menu enter COM (abbreviation for Communica-
tion). The system will display the Communication Menu.
2. Select Premium Services by entering PS.
The system will prompt for the Service Name.
3. Enter "iris".
The system will display a warning message alerting you that
approved access to the Premium Services is required. With
an approved ID you can continue by responding "Y".
You will now be connected to the BT Tymnet service and
prompted for the usual login command ("ID EPAxxxx" and
your password). After you complete your IRIS session, enter
the usual command to logoff the BT Tymnet system. You will
then be returned to the AII-in-1 system.
Please note: while on the BT Tymnet service all messaging
functionality will be blocked. You will only be able to access
IRIS.
If you have any problems please contact IRIS User Support
at (513) 569-7254 or FTS 684-7254. *
SEPTEMBER 1991
7
INFOACCESS
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National Research and Education Network
(NREN): An Information Expressway
The remote use of libraries by
individuals and organizations is
increasing as resource sharing
becomes increasingly important, and
networks make the connections
possible. There have been several
recent developments in the effort to
develop national and regional networks
to promote education and research;
one of them is NREN. The National
Research and Education Network
(NREN) is a proposed telecommuni-
cations structure that would be built
upon the existing interconnected array
of educational, scientific and govern-
mental data networks collectively
known as the Internet. In May 1989
Senator Albert Gore, Jr. (D-Tenn.)
introduced a bill titled the 'National
High Performance Computer Tech-
nology Act of 1989'. Senator Gore's
bill specifically cites libraries as key
participants in the design and use of
the network. Libraries will function as
the major suppliers and users of the
information shared. Ultimately more
than 1500 college, university and
research libraries would be linked by
the NREN.
In an article published in the ERIC
Digest in November 1990, author Ann
Bishop states that implementation of
the National High Performance
Computing Act would provide for: (1)
the involvement of science agencies
and national libraries in the develop-
ment of resources for the NREN; (2)
the linking of federal and industrial
laboratories, educational institutions,
and libraries; (3) the development of
electronic information resources and
services; and (4) the development of
supercomputers and advanced soft-
ware to support scientific and engi-
neering research.
She also points out that before
NREN can be implemented several
issues need to be resolved, including
how to determine costs and manage-
ment policies, guarantee universal
access, provide user support and
training, overcome organizational
resistance to networking, maintain
quality control of information
resources, and adapt network services
to research and education norms. Of
particular interest to librarians are the
issues of copyright and the protection
of First Amendment rights to freedom
of speech and the press. One common
goal of educators and librarians share
is the desire to shape the future of
national networking in such a way that
its benefits are made available to a
broad range of users.
Librarians can play an important
role in this effort to establish the N R EN,
and shape the future of information
sharing. One of the things they can do
is support the development of stan-
dards like the Linked Systems Proto-
col (NISO Z39.50), which provides
uniform means for exchanging library
information in a networked environ-
ment. Another way they can help is to
promote current library networking and
cooperative resource-sharing efforts.
For Further Reading ...
"Conflict or cooperation? NREN and
US telecom policy. (National Research
and Education Network)," Valovic,
Thomas S. Whole Earth Review, p. 12,
Spring 1991.
Continued on page 12
PIC LIST
A limited number of the following new publications are available at the Public
Information Center (PIC) this month. If you are interested in obtaining copies
of any of these titles, call the Public Information Center at FTS 475-7751.
EPA Journal: Setting Environmental
Priorities: The Debate About Risk,
March/April 1991, Office of Communi-
cations and Public Affairs (OCPA),
21K-1007.
EPA's Pesticide Programs, May 1991,
Office of Pesticides and Toxic Sub-
stances (OPTS), 21T-1005.
Freedom and Free Markets: Protect-
ing the Environment the American Way
(Speech by Deputy Administrator, F.
Henry Habicht), May 20,1991, OCPA
21A-2008.
Information Systems Inventory (ISI),
May 1991, Office of Administration and
Resources Management, 21M-1016.
Municipal Wastewater Disinfection:
Protecting Aquatic Life and Human
Health from the Impacts of Chlorina-
tion, February 1991, Office of Water.
The Onsite Assistance Program:
Helping Small Wastewater Treatment
Plants Achieve Permit Compliance,
September 1991, Office of Water, 20 W-
4003.
Our Market Environment (Speech by
Administrator William K. Reilly), May
16, 1991, OCPA, 21Z-1021.
Pesticide Registration, March 1991,
OPTS, 21T-1004.
Quality Management Equals a Quality
Environment (Speech by Deputy Ad-
ministrator Habicht), May 29, 1991,
OCPA, 21A-2009.
Reconciling Economics and the Envi-
ronment: In Mexico and Around the
Globe (Speech by Administrator
Reilly), May6,1991,OCPA, 21Z-1019.
Water: The Resource That Gets Used
& Used For Everything (Poster), 1991,
U.S. Department of the Interiorandthe
American Water Resources Associa-
tion. &
INFOACCESS
SEPTEMBER 1991
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ACCESS EPA is a series of directories that provide contact information and descriptions of services
offered by libraries, databases, information centers, clearinghouses, hotlines, dockets, records
management programs and related information sources. The Office of Information Resources
Management produces the ACCESS EPA series to improve access to environmental information
provided by EPA and other public sector organizations. Currently there are seven directories in the
series and one consolidated volume entitled ACCESS EPA. Each directory is updated annually.
Series Titles:
ACCESS EPA. Consolidates the seven separate
publications listed below: Public Information Tools, Major
EPA Dockets, Clearinghouses and Hotlines, Records
Management Programs, Major EPA Environmental Da-
tabases, Library and Information Services, and State
Environmental Libraries. Included is a glossary of
acronyms; a list of EPA, State, and Depository libraries
by State; and a comprehensive index .
EPA/IMSD/91-100; PB91-151563.
ACCESS EPA Public Information Tools. Contains
a brief overview of the Agency and its Regional structure;
descriptions of four major distribution points for EPA
documents; a section on the availability and ordering of
selected EPA documents; and a list of other key
Information resources.
%PA/IMSD/91-101; PB91-151571.
ACCESS EPA Major EPA Dockets. Designed as a
guide to the major rulemaking dockets at EPA. Contains
information on the collections and services provided by
each of the major dockets.
EPA/IMSD/91 -102; PB91-151589.
ACCESS EPA Clearinghouses and Hotlines.
Describes a number of the major clearinghouses within
the Agency that have a national focus. Includes contact
information and a brief description of the components of
each clearinghouse.
EPA/IMSD/91-103; PB91-151597.
ACCESS EPA Records Management Programs.
Lists contacts for major records programs that support
environmental decision making. Describes collections,
access points, and services.
EPA/IMSD/91-104; PB91-151605.
ACCESS EPA Major EPA Environmental Databases.
Designed as a guide to the major EPA environmental data
systems. Organized by major environmental topics,
includes access and user assistance services.
EPA/IMSD-91 -105; PB91-151613.
ACCESS EPA Libraries and Information Services.
Describes over 30 libraries and specialized information
services in the EPA national library network. Provides
subject access to services, databases, products, and
collections. EPA/IMSD/91-106; PB91-151621.
ACCESS EPA State Environmental Libraries.
Contains information on the collections and services
provided by individual State environmental libraries.
Includes at least one reference point for each of the fifty
states. EPA/IMSD-91-107; PB91-151639.
The Government Printing Office (GPO) will sell the
consolidated volume of ACCESS EPA. The GPO
Stock Number is 055-000-00378-5, and the price
is $18.00. To order the consolidated volume from
GPO, write or call:
New Orders
Superintendent of Documents
P.O. Box 371954
Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954
Telephone: (202) 783-3238
Fax: (202) 275-2529
The National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
will sell all eight titles. To order the publications
from NTIS, write or call:
National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: (703) 487-4650
Fax: (703) 321-8547
SEPTEMBER 1991
9
INFOACCESS
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Plan to Attend the National Environmental Information
Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
on December 2-5, 1991
All EPA librarians are encouraged to attend this very important conference. The theme of the conference is "Information:
A Catalyst for Environmental Risk Reduction," and among the sessions planned is a panel discussion on public access and
presentations on TRJ information and data integration. The library network is planning an exhibit including database
demonstrations and a display of network products. We would encourage as many librarians as possible to attend the
conference; if a significant number aitend, a special network meeting will be scheduled. NOTE: If you are planning
to attend, please contact Jonda Byrd at FTS 684-7183 as soon as possible.
^
Around the Network
1992 EPA Library Network Conference The next annual library conference is tentatively scheduled for the end of
April 1992, It willl be held in Rockville in conjunction with the NOAA Library Network, and the theme will be "Building
Partnerships for Information Access." There will be more information available in the coming months as the planning
proceeds. For more information contact Jonda Byrd, FTS 684-7183.
Region 5: Open House The EPA Region 5 had an open house in its new building on August 12. The open house included
one furnished model floor, the empty floor where the Regional Administrator will be and the "EPA Resource Floor" of which
the library is a part. Penny Boyle prepared a map of the new library floor plan which hung near the entrance to the new
library space. The map became a part of a new library brochure prepared by Penny with input from Lou Tilley, Regional
Librarian, and Margaret McCue, Director, Office of Public Affairs. Various members of the Library staff manned the library
space, handing out brochures and demonstrating the EPA Source on the Mac. At least 500 EPA staff persons got a copy
of the brochure and many more had the location of the library pointed out to them. About 350 people toured the space.
The consensus among visitors was that the library seemed spacious. Visitors discovering the fact that the library would
have a work room and a photocopier agreed that the new space was much better than the okf space.
Region 5: Testing JURIS Lou Tilley and Penny Boyle have voJunfeered to lest the new access to JURIS. We will be
sharing their comments in a future issue of INFOACCESS. Anyone else interested in testing this access should contact
Jonda Byrd at FTS 684-7163.
Corvaf lis: Open House The Corvallis Library held an Open House on Thursday, August 29 to celebrate the completion
of a rehabilitation-modernizationproject. The Library invited staff from the Laboratory as well as local and regional librarians
to see the new lEbrary. Demonstrations of Current Contents and other selected CD-ROM titles were conducted for the
visitors. In addition, the staff demonstrated software and sources available in the Macintosh. The Open House featured
the library's new "user computer area," with PC, Mac and VAX terminals dedicated for public use, and including a Minolta
microform reader/printer tor access to information on microform.
Headquarters: Interllbrary Loan In order to be more responsive to Library Network OCLC requests for materials
fromthe Headquarters Library. the Headquarters ILL staff has been making conditional replies for ilems they cannot supply.
In the Lending Notes field they indicate the reason the material is nol available: reference material, out in circulation, copy
missing, not owned, etc. They hope that this practice wilt eliminate any potential questions about why they cannot respond
positively to an OCLC request. This trial began August 1,1991, and will last until the end of September 1991. At the end
of this period, they would appreciate hearing from Network librarians about this service. For more information call Carol
Bechtel, Interlibrary loan Librarian, at FTS 260-5060, or Melanie Harris, Interlibrary Loan Technician, at FTS 260-5153.
Headquarters -Book Exhibit The HO Library's sixth annual book exhibit was held during the week of July 22-26,1991.
Representatives from Conference Book Service, Inc. brough t display copies of new and popular scientific and technical
publications from major publishers. An announcement of the exhibit was distributed desk-to-desk at Headquarters to
promote the event. As a result of the exhibit, the library has received numerous recommendations for collection
development. $ Mary Hoffman. LA)
INFOACCESS Wmm SEPTEMBER 1991
-------
Cincinnati and Headquarters House
New Test Methods Collection
This article is condensed from a two-page "Centerfold" which was published in
the September 1991 issue of the Information Broker, a newsletter produced by
the EPA Headquarters Library. The full article includes a list of selected test
methods that have been included in the Collection. Anyone who would like a copy
of the full article can contact Mary Hoffman at FTS 260-7762.
Test methods are approved procedures for measuring the presence and
concentration of physical and chemical pollutants; evaluating the toxic properties
of chemical substances; and measuring the effects of substances under various
conditions. All of EPA's regulatory program offices (Water, Air and Radiation,
Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Pesticides and Toxic Substances) issue
test methods. Each office develops the regulations needed to implement
its statutes, and issues any test methods that may be required by those
regulations.
The EPA Library Network is enhancing its outreach to the EPA scientific
community by developing a special Test Methods Collection. The Headquarters
Library is working with the Office of Water Regulations and Standards (OWRS)
to identify and obtain copies of all EPA approved and alternate methods. The
collection will include copies of EPA-approved alternate test methods from
organizations such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM),
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the
Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC).
Duplicate collections of about 200 methods will be housed at the AWBERC
Uhrary in Cincinnati, and the Headquarters Library in Washington, DC. The
¦WBERC Library was proposed because of its proximity to the Environmental
Monitoring Systems Laboratory that develops and approves test methods.
OWRS requested that the collection also be available at the Headquarters Library
for the use of EPA staff in Washington. Both libraries are planning Open Houses
in the fall to introduce the new Collection to the Agency. The Network will continue
to work with OWRS and other offices in the Agency to identify and add
appropriate titles to the Collection.
Most test methods published as EPA reports are already available in several
of the EPA libraries; many of them are distributed through the Center for
Environmental Research Information (CERI). Others may be available from the
issuing program office. It is important to note that some methods are publised
singly and others in compilations. Methods can be searched on the Agency's
Online Library System (OLS), using the title of the method, substance name or
method number.
In 1988 the EPA Region 1 Library produced Index to EPA Test Methods,
which includes more than 700 air, water, and waste methods from over 75 source
publications. It is arranged in three sections, a numeric list by method number, an
alphabetical list by chemical substance or method name, and a publication
source list by document number (NTIS, EPA, CFR or library call number). A paper
copy of the 1988 edition of the Index is available from NTIS. A dBase version is
available from the Region 1 Library if you supply a blank disk. Region 1 is
planning to print an updated version of the Index.
For more information, contact Stephena Harmony in the AWBERC Library at
Q"S 684-7705, or Lois Ramponi in the Headquarters Library at FTS 260-3561.
ft Mary Hoffman, LAI
Report from the Annual
Air & Waste Management
Association Meeting
(June 16-22, 1991, Vancouver)
by Rosemary Thorn,
RTP Library Services
A new session, titled "Information
Resources - Knee Deep and Rising-
was added to the program of the Air &
Waste Management Association
meeting this year. The session chair
invited librarians from the EPA Head-
quarters and Research Triangle Park
Library to speak at the meeting. The
Headquarters participants submitted a
paper which will be published with the
official conference proceedings, but
unfortunately were not able to attend.
Since it is attended by over 5000
environmental professionals represent-
ing private industries, academic institu-
tions, State and Federal agencies, as
well as foreign governments, it was a
good opportunity for the EPA library
network to talk about access to environ-
mental information. Overall, the scope
and diversity of the sessions provided a
unique opportunity for the EPA librar-
ians to both learn more about the infor-
mation needs of the environmental
professionals and to provide guidance
to them.
The morning session focused on
publicly available sources for conduct-
ing research. The session chair, Gayle
Alston, presented information sources
available from the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry. I
participated in the afternoon session
which was more technical in scope and
which focused on specific services and
databases available fromFederal
agencies and private firms.
The Exhibitor's Hall had several
booths featuring information systems
and sources for tracking environmental
legislation and information in general.
The Environmental Series produced by
the Legislative I nformat ion Systems was
of great interest since the National Data
Processing Division is currently review-
ing this and several other similar prod-
ucts for purchase. » j
SEPTEMBER 1991
11
INFOACCESS
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NREN from page 8
"Editing Down Our Ideas About NREN:
The Present Dog Won't Hunt," Nelson,
Milo. Information Today, 8(6):37-39,
June 1991.
"Educational Applications of the
NREN," Rogers, Susan M. EDUCOM
Review, 25(2): 25-29, Summer 1990.
Library Perspectives on NREN: The
National Research and Education
Network, Parkhurst, Carol A., ed.
Chicago, IL: Library and Information
Technology Association/American
Library Association, 1990.
"National Research and Education
Network (NREN)," Machovec, George
Online Libraries and Microcomputers,
8(10): 1-4, October 1990.
The National Research and Educa-
tion Network (NREN): Promise of
New Informatbn Environments, [ERIC
Digest] Bishop, Ann P. Syracuse, NY:
ERIC Clearinghouse on Information
Resources, November 1990. 4p.
Sponsor: Office of Educational
Research and Improvement, Wash-
ington, DC. Contract No.: RI88062008;
Report No.: EDO-IR-90-4 [Available
from the ERIC Clearinghouse on
Information Resources, 030
Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244-
2340 . Free while the supply lasts.]
"NREN: the big issues aren't tech-
nical; equal access, first amendment
safeguards, and other classic library
issues will be critical to the information
superhighway." Flanders, Bruce.
American Libraries, 22(2): 572, June,
1991.
"NREN and CALREN: national and
regional networks to promote
research," West, Richard and Katz,
Richard. DLA Bulletin, 10(1) :16, Spring
1990.
"Whither NREN? (planning the
National Research and Education
Network)," Fisher, Sharon. Byte
16(9):181, July, 1991.
$ Mary Hoffman, LAI
US EPA
Headquarters and Chemical Libraries
EPA West Bldg Room 3340
Maiteode 3404T
1 flni Oonttifi iftvi Ave NW
Direct^
Septe
1
LIBRARIAN
Annand, Suzanne, IAB, DC
Bankson, John, Duluth*
Bergin, Joyce, Ada*
Bibby, Elizabeth, Atlanta*
EMAIL
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Cox, Gretl, DC * G.Cox
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Goodman, Eveline, NYC* Library.Reg2
Harmony, Stephena, Cinci* S.Harmony
Harris, Cherri, DC* Cherri.Harris
Hoadley, Dave, IAB, DC D.Hoadley
Hoffman, Mary, DC* M.Hoffman
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Ramponi, Lois, HQ Lib, DC*
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Ross, Debbie, IAB, DC
Rosseel, Kevin, PIC,DC*
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Sunnen, Linda, San Fran*
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Talsma, Debbie, Ann Arbor*
Thorn, Rosemary, RTP.NC*
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Wagner, Barbara, Denver
York, Sandy, Denver*
Young, Lisa, DC*
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J
INFOACCESS
SEPTEMBER 1991
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