Infoaccess: Library Network Communications; [Or] Records Network Communications. Issue No.17 May 1992


United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Information Resources
Management
(PM-211D)
Issue Number 17
May 1992
&EPA INFO ACCESS
Library Network Communications
£I
Issue...
I	
PR vs.
Marketing
p. 1-2
EPA/NOAA
Meeting
p. 3
Ideas for
PR Action
p. 4-5
PR in
Special Libraries
p. 6-7
Around the
Library
Network
p. 8-9
PR in the
Network
p. 10-11
Public Relations vs. Marketing -
What is the Difference?
by Jonda Byrd, Library Network Program Manager
In recent years we have encouraged you to develop marketing plans
for your libraries, but now we are hearing about the importance of
public relations in libraries. Aren't the two the same thing? Not really.
Holly Bussey, in an article in the Summer 1991 issue of Special Libraries,
states that the purpose of public relations is to manage image, while the
purpose of marketing is to manage demand. Marketing addresses our
information products and what we can do as professionals, while
public relations focuses on the user's opinion and perception.
One of the issues the librarian must confront through public
relations is image. We will not succeed in our goals if people perceive
us as something we are not. To be a key player in information
management, one who is involved in the decision making process, we
have to be perceived as a key player within the organization. Public
relations can help us change and shape these important perceptions.
This is why we need to address public relations as well as marketing.
We have been developing products to offer our clients, and we have
been developing a client base through effective marketing, but we need
to ask ourselves what our image is within the EPA organization. Our
marketing can not be totally effective if the image we are projecting is
not an accurate one. We need to develop our public relations skills and
learn how to project the image we have of ourselves to our clients. We
as information professionals have begun to incorporate marketing
techniques within our operations and we now need to integrate a public
relations plan in our strategies.

-------
PR from page 1
The articles in this issue
may help you better
understand how to go
about developing a public
relations plan. Included in
this issue of INFO ACCESS
is a compilation of ideas
from a regional library
group in the metropolitan
DC area, an annotated
bibliography of articles
from a special issue of
Special Libraries journal,
and public relations case
studies from the EPA
Library Network. We hope
this issue will help you
begin the learning process
and stimulate your public
relations creativity. #
INFO ACCESS, a forum to
provide information and
report on progress in
information management
across the Agency, is
produced by the Information
Access Branch (IAB) of the
Information Management
and Services Division
(IMSD), Washington, DC,
under the direction of Jonda
Byrd, National Library
Network Program Manager.
Please send comments and
suggestions to:
Mary Hoffman
(contractor), Network
Coordinator, PM-211B,
EPA Headquarters Library,
401 M Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20460.
Telephone: (202)260-7762.
Electronic mail: Hoffman.
Mary.
CD-NOTES
Have you heard about CELDS and ENFLEX? No. its not a comedy team
or a nightclub act. CELDS and ENFLEX are databases of environmental
legislative information available in CD-ROM format. CELDS, the Computer-
aided Environmental Legislative Data System, developed by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, is a collection of detailed abstracts of most Federal
and State environmental regulations. It provides quick access to current
regulations that may affect the environment, and data for environmental
impact analysis and environmental quality management.
To access CELDS, the user needs a remote terminal, modem, and
phone line (or a LAN interface). The user will also need a login code for the
Corps' Environmental Technical Information System (ETIS). A temporary
login code and an instruction manual can be obtained by calling the ETIS
Program Office at (217) 333-1369. If you would like more information about
CELDS, you can also contact Rhea Cohen, in EPA's Office of Solid Waste &
Emergency Response, Office of Program Management, at (202) 260-2200 .
ENFLEX INFO is a complete and up-to-date compilation of the full text of
Federal and State environmental regulations. In November 1991 ERM
Computer Services Inc, which produces ENFLEX INFO, added a weekly
update of the entire Federal Register. If you would like more information
about ENFLEX INFO, call 1-800-544-3118, or write to ERM Computer
Services at 855 Springdale Drive, Exton, PA 19341.

Network Bibliographic Series
We are interested in developing a series of bibliographies for the
use of the network and other EPA information professionals, and we
would like this to be a shared project in which all network members
can participate. We will put the bibliographies in final form, arrange
for the printing, and handle the distribution from the Network
Coordinator's office. The individual library compiling the
bibliography will be credited for the work, but it will be issued as a
network product with the network logo and series name.
Since we recognize that smaller libraries do not have the same staff
time for special projects, we are willing to work with them if they are
interested in collaborating on a series title. In addition we will need
ideas for topics and organization of the material, so we hope that
everyone can participate in one way or another. The Headquarters
Library has already agreed to develop a few titles for the series.
The first title in the series is Space Planning and Design for
Libraries, which was published in July 1991. Mary Hoffman is
currently working on the second title, which will be a compilation of
information about Internet. If you have any ideas about the series, call
or send an email to Jonda Byrd, Library Network Program Manager,
(513) 569-7183; Byrd.Jonda, OR Mary Hoffman (contractor) Network
Coordinator, (202) 260-7762; Hoffman.Mary. $8
1NFOACCESS
MAY 1992

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Librarians from EPA and the
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) conducted a very
successful joint meeting during
the last week of April. The
meeting, which was held in
Bethesda, Maryland, joined
speakers and panelists from both
agencies, and included tours of
the NOAA Central Library in
Rockville, EPA Headquarters
libraries, and EPA's new Public
Information Center in Southwest
DC.
In the keynote address,
Patricia Klinck, State Librarian
in the Vermont Department of
Libraries, spoke about
"Challenge, Choice and
Opportunity: Emerging Library
and Information Cooperation."
She used the development of the
Vermont Automated Library
System (VALS) as an example of
the benefits gained by building
partnerships among information
professionals. VALS brings
together the major public,
private, academic and state
library resources and makes
them available on demand to
rural libraries and individuals.
The system received a Ford
Foundation - Harvard/Kennedy
School of Government
Innovations in State and Local
Governments Award in 1988.
Meeting participants enjoyed
presentations by several
speakers including:
~ Daiva Balkus, Director of
EPA's Information Management
and Services Division, who
welcomed the group to the
meeting and delivered an
address on how the emergence
of the electronic library is
changing the role of information
professionals.

^ ten - aF^v
Building
Partnerships for
Information
Access - EPA/
NOAA Librarians
Meeting
~	Janice Beattie, NOAA
Library Network Coordinator, who
talked about librarians as
organizational managers.
~	Stanley Elswick, Database
Librarian at the NOAA Central
Library, and representatives from
The Library Corporation, who
spoke about planned 1992
enhancements to NOAA/EPA
LINC.
~	Brigid Rapp, Chief of EPA's
Information Access Branch, who
talked about public access to
information and led a discussion
about the future of public access
in libraries.
~	David Blockstein, Executive
Director of the Committee for a
National Institutes of the
Environment (NIE), who outlined
the proposals currently in
development for the NIE and a
National Library of the
Environment.
~	Jonda Byrd, Manager of
EPA's Library Network Program,
who shared information about
access to EPA and NOAA
publications.
~	Brand Nieman from EPA's
Center for Environmental
Statistics, who briefed the group
on the Center's mission and
services.
~	Dr. Bruce Parker, Staff
Specialist for Ocean and Water
Level, NOAA's National Oceans
Service, who conducted a brief
presentation on global sea levels
and shared his appreciation for
the assistance provided by the
NOAA libraries.
~	Sarah Kadec from the
Kadec Information Management
Company, who shared her view
of 'The Role of the Special
Librarian in the Next 5 Years."
In other sessions EPA and
NOAA librarians participated as
panelists and discussion leaders,
sharing insights about
partnerships with agency clients
and information networking with
the group. The meeting also
included presentations and
demonstrations by EPA and
NOAA staff about agency
databases. The meeting
concluded on Thursday, April 30,
with separate EPA and NOAA
sessions in which attendees
discussed Agency-specific issues
and concerns.
Proceedings of the meeting will
be published in the July issue of
INFOACCESS, and a list of the
meeting attendees will be
included as an attachment to the
issue. & Mary Hoffman
(contractor), Network Coordinator
MAY1992


INFOACCESS

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Ideas for Action from the Public Relations
Committee Special Libraries Association,
DC Chapter
The following is a compilation of a series of
columns that appeared in issues of Chapter Notes,
the !>ulletin of the DC Chapter of the Special
I l raries Association (SLA), published between Fall
/l!0 ? and Spring 1992. The columns were written
'•./ Inree librarians working in the DC area, Carol
bt rs (contractor), EPA Headquarters Library;
N .nine Arnold, Sugar Association, Inc. Library;
at. ! Karen Holloway, Anterican Institute of
/ . nmntics and Astronautics Library.
i 'romoting the Library Information Center is an
inn" .rtant and time consuming project for any
S| ' > .a! librarian. In this column we would like to
provide some suggestions and pointers to aid you
in lhis important task.
~ Develop a Marketing Strategy
Before you can start to promote your library,
you need to first develop a marketing strategy.
Developing a plan of action will help to clarify your
current situation and to identify the directions you
can take to promote your library in your
organization. To start your strategy, answer the
following questions:
Do you understand your "corporate culture?"
Does your library have a mission? Does it
reflect the goals of your organization?
-o Who controls the power?
Can you identify those people/groups who
support the library?
Who is NOT using the services of the
library?
•fr How are people getting their information if
they are not using the library?
Are the current services meeting the needs of
your users? Are additional or alternative
services needed?
~ Spread the Word Through Your
Organization
Once you have researched the library's current
position, you can start to promote and spread the
word through your organization 1 lore are a few
ideas to gel you started:
/ Get out of the library!! Make an effort to go
out & see people - you will be seen as showing
interest in your clients & what they are doing.
/ Offer an "Introduction to the Library"
session for all new employees.
/ Newsletters - the Library's & other newsletters
within the organization may be useful to run an
article or an "advertisement" promoting library
services.
/ Join the relevant professional association -
attend meetings, show interest in your clients'
field.
~ Get on department agendas for meetings -
make a (short & to-the-point) presentation about
library services.
/ Offer to do a bibliography for an up coming
conference.
/ Users can be intimidated by the library.
Increase your approachability - look at things
from your users' point of view.
/ Have a session with the administrative
assistants and secretaries of the departments you
deal with. If they know what you can do, word
will spread.
/ Be interested in your organization. Run a
column about "This day in the history of XXX"
or "Company tidbits" in the library's newsletter.
/ Hold an event and serve food - everyone loves
to eat! It can be a "closing the card catalog" party
OR hold a raffle and have people guess how
many books the library has.
Hopefully some of these ideas will stimulate your
own thoughts on spreading the word through your
organization.
Continued on page 5
	——	sv
INFO ACCESS j	MAY 1992
vw * '*4

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~ Brochures and Publications
One way of spreading the word about library
services is through brochures and publications.
Here are a few ideas to get you started designing
your own brochures:
S Identify your audience.
/ Make your statement, clearly & concisely;
make it easy to scan.
/ Make the information relevant to your
audience.
y Let your user know what you can do, and
what the benefits are for them.
S Identify specific offerings - hours, phones,
location.
S Use natural language - not "library lingo."
/ Create a visual identity using a library logo
and/or slogan throughout all of your
promotional materials.
/ Using a particular color scheme for all the
library's promotional materials will help to
reinforce the visual image you are creating.
S Be consistent in how you refer to services
and products offered by the library.
/ Have a library user critique a draft of the
brochure - an objective eye can catch some
thing you did not.
/ Contact Kathryn Dorko at SLA HQ
(202-234-4700) to borrow a folder of brochure
samples that she has collected from other
libraries.
/ Once completed, keep it up-to-date to reflect
changes in services and/or collections.
Hopefully some of these ideas will stimulate your
own creative thoughts on designing brochures &
publications.

~ Surveying Your User
We are all anxious to get feedback about how
we are being rated (how are we doing?). There are a
number of ways that you can survey your users.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
•» Identify the objectives.
Keep the layout and design of the survey
simple.
The directions should be easy to follow - test it
on at least a couple of people to make sure
that your directions are clear.
Keep the survey as short as possible. Survey
instruments over 2-3 pages will typically
result in fewer responses.
¦* Don't ask questions unless you are going to do
something with the information.
Think about how you will evaluate the
answers to your questions.
•» Face-to-face feedback will usually be positive
& it may not give you the information that
you need to improve services; an independent
group doing the survey may yield more useful
feedback.
Let them know that it may not be possible to
act on all their suggestions.
•* Guarantee anonymity.
•» Offer a reward for returning the survey -
"every fifth person will receive an extension
on their next loan." [The only draw back to
offering a reward is that it will no longer be
anonymous.]
Share the results of the survey.
Surveys can be done by mail, telephone,
personal interview, or by FAX and electronic
mail.
An ongoing way to survey your users is to
have a suggestion box.
Send out post cards as a reminder to return
the surveys.
•» Contact SLA Headquarters and other SLA
members to get examples of survey forms. $s
INFOACCESS

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Public Relations in Special Libraries: ||
A Special Issue of Special Libraries JournalJ
The Summer 1991 issue of Special Libraries focuses on public relations
strategies and concepts that can be applied to any organization. In her
introductory article, Mary E. Zimmerman states that "The secret to good public
relations is consistency and frequency." The issue contains the thoughts of
several authors on how to plan and implement consistently effective public
relations activities. The following is an annotated list of the articles contained in
the issue; these abstracts were published with the articles in Special Libraries.
Public Relations at SLA: An Introductory Article to a
Special Issue by Mary E. Zimmerman [Director,
Communications, Special Libraries Association ]
Public relations at SLA is an integral part of all
Association activities. From a phone call to a building
tour, from membership brochures to memos to the
Board, from a business luncheon to the Annual
Conference, we are constantly practicing the art of
communicating well, or public relations. Our "publics" are
virtually anyone who hears our story, sees us in action, is
affected by our actions, or should know about us. Our
publics are all around us, waiting for a message from us
to compel them to action.
Public Relations vs. Marketing: The Information
Professional's Role as Mediator by Holly J. Busey
[ Vice President, Manager of the Ayer Information Center,
NWAyer Advertising, New York]
As librarians and information professionals become more
sophisticated, what seems to be easily defined becomes
easily blurred. Marketing and public relations are two
areas that have developed to such an extent that it
becomes difficult to know which function is really
important. In this article, a discussion on the differences,
similarities, and usefulness of both public relations, and
marketing is discussed in the context of developing an
information center's potential within an organization.
Alternative Sources for Marketing Research tor
Libraries by Jeanette M. Mueller-Alexander
[Reference Librarian/Business Subject Specialist,
Hayden Library, Arizona State University]
Successful public relations should be part of an overall
marketing plan. Developing a marketing plan takes time
and effort. Librarians seldom have the luxury of unlimited
time and staffing to create a marketing plan or even to do
a good survey. There are alternative sources for
marketing research. This article discusses seven
possible sources of marketing plans and other market
research.
Developing a Cohesive Image for Your Special
uorary by Peggy Tumey [Freelance Graphic Design
Specialist, Washington, DC]
an 'ma9e through design mechanisms entails
nne'^Ki"1^ an 'COn or '°9° which clearly and accurately as
in th' 6 y!sual,y rePresents the product or organization
imnc f' h . Libraries can apply the purpose and use of
fmm k". ¦ 0S to define their own identity as separate
. "Vegrated with, the organization. This article
•u ines vafious concerns and elements involved in
thpco63 Process developing icons and logos, what
visual representations should do for your product
ri,3 'a f,[ ector o( Strategic Services, Levine,
ey< ick, and Beaver Advertising, New York]
™SPaper*JVI"9've librarians and information
n. .h|. s'°na,s a framework for providing fundamental
a,l°ns ,or ,tle'r library or information service.
infnrm£-W 3 basic definition of publicity - issuing
attentinn°f]i!Vltli news va,ue as a way of 9ainin9 public
Drorpcc ~ » i? scussion provides a step-by-step
assinnm °. H0w when handed a public relations
snnnocf^? Specific and practical applications are
and samples of P.R. releases are incuded.
McrS.?i,rate?les and L,brar'es (Part 1) by Dave
Mrran rf1 Unforrnaiion And Research Manager,
McCann-Erickson Associates, Australia]
th(^r nrnH 'S !^e means by which marketers differentiate
Libra rips r °m a,,erna,ive services and products,
deveion a f n.apply the Princ'P|es of brand strategy to
and "r ^'ve image for the information services
variouc S» meet the iclent^ied needs of their
elempntc'
-------
PR from page 8
the process can create more loyal users. Using a case
history, Part 2 shows how brand repositioning is achieved
through a successful public relations event.
Integrating Yourself to All and Sundry...Or How I
Crawled My Way to Notoriety (Part 2) by Dave
McCaughan
Part 1 discussed the importance of developing a brand
image for the library and its "products." In this section, the
author provides a case history, outline, and step-by-step
application of realigning the library "brand" within the
context of a public relations event: a relocation.
Changing Perceptions: Making PR Work for an
Information Service by Caroline Mills [Head of
Information, Gold Greenlees Trott, London ]
What follows are the personal experiences of an
information officer who recently re launched adepartment
in a London advertising agency. This light-hearted article
contains the basic principles of some P.R. activities that
you can adapt to your own needs.
Consortium Promotion: Publicizing a Library Group
by Ellen R. Cooper [Acquisitions & Serials Librarian,
Health Science Library, University of Tennesee,
Memphis]
Many librarians have developed activity plans for
publicizing their library to potential users within their
institution. These marketing techniques are useful for
promoting single libraries, but it may also be desirable to
promote a group of libraries to the general community.
Promotion methods used by individual libraries may not
answer the needs of these groups. These promotion
ideas that have been successfully tried in Memphis may
be adapted for use by other library groups.
Part A Brief Bibliography on Promotion and Public
Relations for Special Libraries [Compiled by
Sharon M. LaRose, Editor, MLS Newsletter]
Part B A "Kotler Collection" of Useful Readings -
Selected works of Philip Kotler [Compiled by
Jeanette M. Mueller-Alexander]
Corporate Value of Library Services by Kay Cloyes
[Supervisor, Caterpillar Inc. Technical Information Center]
Caterpillar Inc. Technical Information Center used the
President's Task Force on the Value of the Information
Professional from Special Libraries Association to design
a user survey. In 1988 and 1990, the survey determined
user needs and the benefit of library services.
This case study reports on the survey results and user
interviews. Features include: time saved by information
services; real savings in financial gain or cost avoidance:
importance of the librarian as a service provider; and
anecdotal evidence on value. Results proved helpful in
determining the relative importance of current services
and in planning future services. Copies of the survey are
available from SLA's Information Resources Center.
The abstracts and citations in this article were reprinted
from the Summer 1991 issue of Special Libraries [Special
Libraries Association, 1700 18th St., NW, Washington,
Dc 20009-2508].
Anyone Interested in obtaining a copy of one of these
articles can contact Mary Hoffman (contractor),
Network Coordinator at (202) 260-7762 or via
electronic mail at Hoffman.Mary. $
Public Relations: A Useful Reading List
As information professionals, we must wear many hats.
We should not make the assumption that we can become
public relations professionals overnight. But we are
professionals who are trained in the art of finding out
about anything, and this article will help to find out more
about public relations through a well-known method: an
annotated bibliography.
The following bibliography is in two parts: together they
act as a vehicle for locating more info, nation after you
have read this special issue.
In future issues
of INFOACCESS
~Proceedings of the
EPA/NOAA Librarians
Meeting
~ Legislative and Legal
Information
MAY 1992

y
INFOACCESS
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Around the Library Network
April was an eventful public relations month for most of the Network libraries. They
celebrated Earth Day, National Library Week, and International Special Librarians
Day with special displays, demonstrations, and activities designed to increase
EPA staff awareness of resources and services available in the library or
information center. The following sites shared some of their April activities.
NEIC Library,
Denver
Region 3
Information
Resource Center,
Philadelphia
Central Regional
Laboratory Library,
Annapolis
Region 4 Library,
Atlanta
April 9 was a REALLY big PR day for the NEIC Library. We celebrated
International Special Librarians Day with a speaker at noon followed by a
reception. Virginia Boucher, professor emerita from the University of CO Norlin
Libraries, spoke on her experiences as an International Federation of Library
Associations (IFLA) representative. She gave her impressions of the countries
she has visited for annual IFLA conferences, Including Japan, Australia, Sweden
and USSR. She was one of those who was in Moscow during the beginning of the
end of the Soviet Union. We were too busy to count noses but we had a good
attendance of NEIC staff and other federal librarians as measured by cookie
consumption. We all had a good time and also recognized the importance of
Libraries and public access to information for free societies. [Contributed by
Dotty Biggs, NEIC Librarian]
On April 21 (Earth Day Eve), the Region 3 Information Resource Center hosted a
meeting of the Downtowners, an informal group of Philadelphia center city
librarians. The topic of the brown bag lunch was public access. In addition, the
Pennsylvania Resources Council, a group that has been active in environmental
matters for many years, asked if we would be interested in participating in
programs they are setting up for public librarians. Again, the focus will be on
public access to EPA information. [Contributed by Diane McCreary, Region 3
Librarian]
Ann Johnson (contractor) Librarian, advertised National Library Week in
INFOstructure, the Library's bulletin which is being delivered on LAN mail on a
one month trial basis with great success. On Thursday, April 9, she celebrated
International Special Librarian's Day with an Open House at which she gave away
coasters from the Special Libaries Association that had the International Special
Librarian's Day logo - Information Knows No Bounds - on them. They were a big
hit. She decided it was all worthwhile when she was asked "What do you do in
here?" and "What is a Special Librarian?", etc. Ann feels that any chance to
explain herself generally leads to a new user! [Contributed by Ann Johnson
(contractor), Librarian]
Information Knows No Bounds" was the theme of this year's International Special
Librarians Day. This event took place April 9,1992, and provided information
professionals a day to celebrate and gain recognition for the role they play in
enhancing knowledge on a global scale. The Region 4 library celebrated the day
by placing a banner outside the library door and presenting an exhibit of sample
searches conducted in the most frequently used databases in the first floor lobby
of the Regional Office. According to David R. Bender, Executive Director of the
Special Libraries Association, "International sharing of information is vital to our
existence. It advances scientific progress and contributes to cultural appreciation
and understanding." [Contributed by Priscilla Pride (contractor), Head Librarian]
Continued on page 9
INFOACCESS
s5 S f
MAY 1992
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Region 7 Library,
Kansas City
The major project in the Region 7 Library, and probably the only one we should try
to undertake until its completion, is preparing to move the Library. Although the
time frame has been set back several times due to unexpected building repairs
required by the renovation, the current move date is early August. A floor plan for
the new Library has been through several generations and agreed upon. The
overriding consideration in developing the layout was providing space for people
and electronic resources. As much space as possible has been set designated
for users. Computers with databases designed primarily for public use, such as
the EPA/NOAA CD-ROM and the MAC with the Source, will be near the door.
The LAN workstation which provides access to databases needed by both Region
7 staff and public is near the quieter rear of the Library. The collection will be
housed on high-density shelving to maximize the use of floor space for people.
Still to be accomplished are the tasks of planning the exact location for each type
of collection, itemizing the new furniture required, planning and implementing the
communications with the regional staff about the timing of the move and
necessary curtailment of sen/ices for a period of time, as well as many other
details such weeding the collection. [Contributed by Barbara MacKinnon
(contractor), Head Librarian/ Coordinator]
Region 10 Library,
Seattle
The Region 10 staff selected the theme "Celebrate the Earth" for National Library
Week. They created a flyer and sent out messages over the LAN and announced
each activity. They gave a library tour and had a session of OLS training. The
main event was a photo/slide contest with the "Celebrate the Earth" theme. They
asked EPA staff to submit photos/slides a week before and displayed them in the
library. During the first half of National Library Week they asked staff to vote on
their favorite photo, then presented ribbons to the top three winners on Thurday at
the open house. The grand prize winner's photo will be blown up and hung on the
wall in the library for all to enjoy. They had a great turnout for the contest; there
are a lot of EPA shutterbugs out there who seem to really enjoy having a chance
to show off their work! [Contributed by Marilyn Hurlow (contractor), Librarian]
INFOTERRA,
Washington, DC
The INFOTERRA staff hosted an International Environmental Information Fair on
April 8, 1992 that was held in the main hallway of the Waterside Mall at the EPA
Headquarters. Over twenty-five outside organizations participated as exhibitors at
the event, including the World Resources Institute, National Geographic, and the
World Bank. The INFOTERRA/USA National Focal Point distributed copies of
various United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) publications, the
INFOTERRA/USA brochure, and copies of the INFOTERRA/USA Directory of
Environmental Sources.
Over 500 interested people visited the Fair, where pamphlets and publications
were available, databases were demonstrated, and videos were displayed. The
success of the Fair was a delight to the INFOTERRA/USA staff, who had planned
an ' organized the event for the previous five months. [Contributed by John Butsch
(contractor), Head Librarian]
Contact Mary Hoffman (contractor), Network Coordinator with your contributions for Around the Network.
MAY1992
INFOACCESS
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/ V
Using New Space
to Promote the
Library in Region 5
The new location of the library
itself is the best public relations
development the Region 5 Library
has ever had. Most regional
employees are now in the same
building as the library, a great
advantage with Chicago's weather.
Further to our advantage, the library
is located in a high traffic area. The
library is visible to anyone using the
elevators; since we are on the 12th
floor where practically everyone
comes to go to the EPA conference
and training center down the hall
from the library.
The new facility itself is another
advantage. The richness of the
furnishings, the open design of the
space, the seating capacity for
patrons increasing from the old
space more than three times, the
lack of clutter that was so much a
part of the old space, and the silk
flowers adding color to the main
entry of the library; all combine to
create a professional image for the
library.
The Region 5 Library sent a
mailing including a library brochure
and a flyer about the Online Library
System (OLS) to local firms with
letters authorizing their staff to
borrow from the library and to
special libraries from environment-
related fields. The library also
distributes a brochure informing the
public and EPA staff how to get into
OLS. We attached an OLS flyer for
Regional employees to the latest
Library Information Link. [InfoLink
also got a new look to correspond to
the new space.]
Despite the draw of our
wonderful new home, our public
relations plan for the future will be
aimed at going to the patrons in their
offices and reaching out to new
employees. [ Contributed by Lou
Tilley, Region 5 Librarian] &
V
New PIC Opening Ceremonies:
A Public Relations Event
Administrator Reilly officially opened EPA's new Public Information
Center (PIC) on Earth Day, April 22, 1992 when he cut the red ribbon
draped on the front doors of the new facility. In his remarks to the
assembled crowd he noted that the Center's information access will
enable the public to be partners in protecting the environment. As he
toured the Center after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, he showed
great interest in the various video, photographic and database exhibits.
He commented on the great demand for environmental information and
that the Center will help the public make responsible environmental
decisions. The new PIC provides audiovisual orientation to EPA's
mission, program-specific displays, and a small auditorium which will
be used to present video and slide programs to agency visitors. EPA
staffers then toured the Center, which is now open from 9:00 am until
4:30 pm on Federal workdays. &
( 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 (202) 260-
7751.
1992 The Year of Clean Water: America's Resources - Protect Them,
Conserve Them, and Use Them Wisely. Office of Water, EPA820-H-92-001.
Compendium of Superfund Program Publications, November 1991. Office of
Emergency and Remedial Response, EPA 540/8-91-014.
Environmental Crisis in the Gulf: The U.S. Response. Jointly issued by the
President of the United States, EPA, Department of State, National Science
Foundation, Department of the Interior, Department of Defense, Department
of Commerce, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department
of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of
Transportation, and Department of Labor.
Guide to Selected National Environmental Statistics in the U.S. Government.
April 1992. Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation, EPA 230-R-92-003.
Gulf of Mexico Program, February 1991. EPA, Gulf of Mexico Program.
Indoor Air Quality and New Carpet: What You Should Know, March 1992.
EPA, EPA 560-2-91-003.
Overview of the Emergency Response Program, April 1992. Office of
Emergency and Remedial Response, EPA 540-8-91-015.
Science Advisory Board, February 1992. EPA 120-F92-001.
Setting the Agenda (speech by Administrator Reilly), January 29,1992. Office
of Communications, Education, and Public Affairs, EPA 175-K92-004.
U.S. EPA's 33/50 Program: Forging an Alliance for Pollution Prevention.
Summary, March 1992. Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics. *
INFOACCESS
10
MAY 1992
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Region IV CD-ROM Survey
Background
The Region 4 Library maintains a collection of CD-
ROMs tor use on the Local Area Network (LAN). They can
be accessed by using a boot disk separate from the one
used for the LAN main menu. In order to increase usage
of the CD-ROM collection, I offer instruction in the
Regional training center and for individual departments
within the Region.
The response to the instruction was positive but the
desired effect of increased usership was not. Monitoring
CD-ROM usership often gave dismal results, often only
one person uses the system in an entire workday. To find
out why usership was so low the Library devised a survey
to find out who did or did not use the CD-ROM system. A
total of 1200 surveys were distributed throughout Region
4, with a rather small return of 70 (6%) but good enough
to get a representative sample.
The following questions were asked along with the
responses. [Keep in mind that they may not add up
perfectly to 70 due to multiple answers.]
~ Category of job?
Environmental scientist 25
Management 3
Technical 16
Administrative 7
Clerical 5
Attorney 7
~ Using a different boot disk to
CD-ROM is:
Confusing 2 ( 6%)
Complicated 4 (12%)
No problem 27 (82%)
~ How did you find out about the CD-ROM
databases?
IV Front (Regional Newsletter)
3
( 7%)
A person in my office
12
(27%)
Library
8
(18%)
Flyer
5
(11%)
LAN
6
(13%)
Other source
11
(24%)
~ Which of the following CD-ROM databases
do you access?

NTIS
7 (15%)

MSDS
6 (13%)

MEDLINE
7 (15%)

MICROSOFT BOOKSHELF
7 (15%)

FEDERAL REGISTER
7 (15%)

CHEM-BANK
8 (17%)

PEST-BANK
6 (13%)

MAY1992
~ I do not use the CD-ROM databases for
the following reasons:
I was not aware of them
32
(48%)
They are not relevant to my work
8
(12%)
I have difficulty searching them
1
( 2%)
I do not have time
5
( 8%)
I need training to search them
17
(26%)
I'd rather have someone else search

them for me
3
( 5%)
~ How often do you use the CD-ROM

databases?

Once a week
5
( 9%)
Two or more times a week
4
( 8%)
2-4 times a month 9 ( 5%)
A few times a year 7 (13%>)
Never 32 (60%)
In addition there were short answer questions on
productivity, improved performance, and decreasing
liability. Answers varied but some often mentioned
responses included "quick answers to questions," "save
trips to the library," 'ability to improve job performance,"
and "annoying but tolerable to have a separate boot disk."
Conclusions
The results I find most important are the combined
65% of the respondents who were not aware of CD-ROMs
and who said they need training to search them, and the
60% who never use the databases; I believe there is a
direct correlation between the two. By making people
aware of the databases and training them effectively, the
number of people who never use them should decrease
dramatically.
I have implemented several plans for increasing the
usership, for example, using the Daily News available on
the Region IV LAN to consistently get information on CD-
ROMs to Regional employees. The information has varied
from an introduction of the available CD-ROMs, weekly
search tips, and a boot disk giveaway which was very
successful. For training I will continue to offer courses in
the Regional training center and to individual
departments.
Since the survey and using the Daily News,
awareness and use has grown somewhat. There is still
not a widescale use, but recent monitoring has shown
about 4 or 5 people a day using the CD-ROMs. This is
close to my goal of 5-15 daily users. I feel that through
continuous training and keeping information on CD-ROMs
in the Regional employee's view we will achieve this goal.
John Nemeth (contractor), Reference Librarian,
Region IV Library, Atlanta
INFOACCESS
(34%)
(18%)
(22%)
(10%)
( 7%)
(10%)
access the
-------
(r~
( Library Network Directory, May! 992 )

LIBRARIAN
EMAIL
PHONE
FAX

Arentseri, Sue, Cinci*
Arentsen.S
(513) 684-7532
(513
684-7276

Banksori, John, Duluth*
ERL/Duluth
(218) 780-5538
(218
780-5539

Barrus, Phyl, Dallas *
R6.Library
(214) 255-6444
(214
255-2146

Beer, Warren, IAT, San Fran *
Beer.Warren
(415) 744-1519
[415
744-1474

Bergin, Joyce, Ada*
RSKERL.Library
(405) 743-2241
(405
743-2256

Bibby, Elizabeth, Atlanta*
Bibby. Liz
(404) 257-0506
(404
347-5205

Biggs, Dorothy, NEIC, Denver
Library.NEIC
(303) 776-5122
(303
776-5116

Bruneske, Kathy, RIC, DC *
Bruneske.Kathy
(202) 260-3231
(202
260-6257

Byrd, Jonda, IAB, Cincinnati
Byrd.Jonda
(513) 684-7183
(513
684-7186

Cox, Gretl, NCC, DC*
Cox.Gretl
(202) 260-3059
(202
260-6257

Dugan, Ann, DC*
Dugan. Ann
(202) 260-2049
(202
260-6257

Friedman, Fred, Boston/SWIC*
Library.Reg1
(617) 833-1687
(617
833-1662

Gamache, Rose, Narra., Rl *
ERL-Narragansett
(401) 838-6025
(401
838-6030

Garrison, Linda , IAB, DC
Garrison.L
(202) 260-6939
(202
260-3923

Goodman, Eveline, NYC*
Library.Reg2
(212) 264-2881
(212
264-5433

Harmony, Stephena, Cinci*
Harmony. Steph
(513) 684-7707
(513
684-7276

Hoffman, Mary, DC*
Hoffman.Mary
(202) 260-7762
(202
260-6257

Hurlow, Marilyn, Seattle *
Hurlow.Marilyn
(206) 399-1841
(206
399-4672

Johnson, Ann, Annapolis*
Johnson.Ann
(301) 652-2103
(301
652-2198

Knight, John, RTP, NC
Knight.J
(919) 629-2794
(919
629-1405

MacKinnon, Barb, KC*
Library.Reg7
(913) 276-7358
(913
276-7467

McCreary, Diane, Philadelphia
Library.Reg3
(215) 597-0580
(215
597-7906

McVeety, Renie, Corvallis*
McVeety. Renie
(503) 430-4677
(503
430-4799

Morrison, Barbara, Law, DC
Law.Library
(202) 260-5919
(202
260-7883

Nelson, Peg, Boston*
Nelson. Margaret
(617) 835-3300
(617
835-3346

Platten, Joan, Legislative, DC
Platten.Joan
(202) 260-5425
(202
260-8866

Pinnell, Liz, Gulf Breeze *
Pinnell.E
(904) 228-9218
(904
228-9201

Poole-Kober, Evelyn, AREAL
ASMD/AREAL
(919) 629-4536

Pride, Priscilla, Atlanta*
Library.Reg.IV
(404) 257-4216
(404
257-4486

Ramponi, Lois, HQ Lib, DC*
Ramponi.Lois
(202) 260-3561
(202
260-3923

Rosseel, Kevin, PIC,DC*
Rosseel.Kevin
(202) 260-1755
(202
260-6257

Sacks, Felice, (SF) DC*
Sacks.Felice
(202) 260-3021
(202
260-2923

Samuels, Deborra (SF), SF*
Samuels.Deborra
(415)744-1513
(415
744-1474

Schoepke, Tim, OTS, DC*
Schoepke.Tim
(202) 260-3944
(202
260-4655

Sears, Julienne, Seattle
Library.Reg.X
(206) 399-1289
(206
399-4672

Sennett, Paula, Chicago/SWlC*

(312) 353-4686
(312
886-9096

Shellenberger, Dawn, (SF)Phil.*
Shellenberger.Dawn
(215) 597-6633
(215
597-9890

Sims, Janice, Athens
ERL/Athens
(404) 250-3302
(404
250-2018

Szefczyk, Dorothy, Edison
Library.Ed
(201) 340-6762
(201
340-6613

Talsma, Debbie, Ann Arbor*
OMS/AMS/Safety
(313) 374-8311
(313
374-8368

Thorn, Rosemary, RTP,NC*
Thorn.R
(919) 629-0094
(919
629-1405

Tilley, Lou, Chicago
Library.Reg5
(312) 353-2022
(312
353-1155

Wagner, Barbara, Denver
Library.Reg.VIII
(303) 330-1391
(303
330-1087

Wallin, Camille, Las Vegas*
Library.LV
(702) 545-2648
(702
545-2637

York, Sandy, Denver*
York.S
(303) 680-6576
(303
680-6739

Young, Lisa, DC*
Young.Lisas
(202) 260-3533
(202
260-3923

* = Contractor

Please Contact Mary Hoffman (contractor), Network Coordinator, about any changes or corrections at 202 260-

7762 or E-mail box Hoffman. Mary. &

J
INFOACCESS
MAY 1992
-------