&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Information Resources
Management
(PM-211A)
March 1993
EPA/220/N-93-004
CARIBBEAN
CURRENTS
HtADQUARTERS LIBRARY
*»_» r\ 11 _ n	fcNViKONMLN'iAL PROTLCTION AGENCY
VOI. INO. Z	WASHINGTON, D.C. 2M&)
Welcome...
...to the sixth issue of Caribbean Currents-the
INFOTERRA Newsletter for National Focal Points in
the English and French-speaking Caribbean.
In this issue we will discuss developing an
environmental document collection. You can make
your services more useful by putting together even a
small number of key items, so we'll look at how to
decide what you need and a brief list of basic
documents. If you have any comments or
experiences on this topic that you'd like to share
around the Region, please send them in, and they
will go into the next issue.
Special thanks to all the contributors for their
assistance on this issue.
Remember,Caribbean Currents is your newsletter,
and anything you would like to share is welcome.
See the Next Issue box on page 2 for more
information on submissions to the next edition.
(( ^
IN THIS ISSUE
FEATURE ARTICLE:
Collection Development	p. 1
INFOTERRA IDEAS:
Selected Environmental Publications.... p. 3
NEXT ISSUE:
Next issue's topic; information on
submitting your articles	p. 6
New NFP Directory Available	p. 6
AROUND THE REGION:
News from Belize, Jamaica, and USA.... p. 7
English and French-speaking Region:
( INFOTERRA NFP Directory.	p. 8
COLLECTION
DEVELOPMENT
Building your environmental library
When you help an INFOTERRA patron with an
environmental inquiry, you draw from a number of
resources. One of these is the collection of documents
that you have assembled—your environmental library.
Itdoesn'tneed to bea large collection, even a very small
group of relevant materials can help you assist your
patrons. The key is to work on developing a collection of
materials that will be useful to you.
What is Collection Development?
The process of planning, building, and maintaining
your documents is known as Collection Development.
It is important to approach this process in a thoughtful
manner, so that you will have a library you can use,
rather than just a random group of books.
The three fundamental elements of Collection
Development are: Planning, Policy, and Program.
Planning your Collection
Whether you are starting from sera tch or re vi ta I izi ng a n
existingcollection, thefirst thing you must do isestablish
a plan of action. Ask yourself three questions:
•	What is the purpose of my collection?
•	What do I have in my collection now?
•	What do 1 need to add to my collection?
What is the purpose: Consider why you have the
collection. One of the primary reasons is to help you
serve your INFOTERRA patrons. Before you can
effectively develop the library, you must determine its
scope. What types of questions do patrons frequently
ask? (For example, do you need materials on
environmental law, or do you have more demand for
information on environmental impact?) Figuring out
what topics are important to your users will help you
determine what materials you need.
(continued on page 2)
Printed on Recycled Paper

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COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT
(continued from page D
What you have: Take art objective look at the materials
in your collection. Even if it seems you don't have very
much, you probably have a certain number of
documents to which you refer frequently. There may
also be some materials on your shelves which you
never use. Feel free to find a new home for them...if
they aren't useful to you, you don't need them taking
up your valuable space.
Make a list of the useful materials you have, including
a brief note on how each item fits into the purpose and
scopeof your collection. You can use this list when you
plan additions to your collection. It will also be useful
when you get to the programming phase.
VJhatyou need: Developa "needslist",concentratingon
areas of interest to your users for which you have few
or no appropriate documents. To identify materials
which would fulfill the needs, consult a list of
documents which are essential to answering
environmental questions. In addition, ask other NFPs
in the Region what documents they find useful. [A
selected list of materials is in this issue's INFOTERRA
Ideas section on pages 3 and 4.] You don't need to have
a large collection as long as you have quality materials
which address your patrons' needs.
Be honest with yourself. Start with the things you
really need in order to provide effective service. You
can work on expanding your collection later.
Unlock the
world...
Writing your Policy
After you have established a plan for your collection,
you need to write a policy. Simply knowing what you
plan to do isn't enough. You need to have a written
statement so that you have consistent guidelines for
working on your library. Although it is easiest to
have a Collection Development policy in place before
you start assembling your collection, you can establish
one at any time.
You will want to include the following items in your
policy:
•	The scope of the collection-curency, language,
type of materials, and so on IMore details on
this in the next issue)
•	Who your primary patrons arc
•	What topicsare most important for your library
•	How to select materials for the collection [ More
on this in the next issue]
•	How the collection will be evaluated and
weeded
•	What to do with gifts and donations (including
things you don't want).
Also note that certain things do not need to appear in
the written policy:
•	Specific titles of books
•	Prices or budgetary information
•	Details of services not related to the collection
(such as hours of operation).
The policy statement should be clear, concise, and
easily accessible. It doesn't need to be a substantial
work, just a simple document that addresses the
relevant points. If you would like to see a sample
policy statement, the RSC would be happy to send
you copies of the INFOTERRA/USA policy.
(continued on page 5)
...with the
INFOTERRA
Network
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INFOTERRA IDEAS
illllJ
The following is a list of basic environmental documents that you may find useful in planning your collection.
Please note that these are general documents, and do not address specific environmental issues (such as
groundwater)--we will look at those next issue. This is a sample list, and is by no means exhaustive. Those
items marked with ** are available through your RSC at no cost.
SELECTED ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLICATIONS
Atlas of the Environment, G. Lean, Prentice-Hall Press, 1990. Contact the publisher for
price and ordering information.
Dictionary of Environmental Quotations, B.K. Rodes & R.Odell, Simon and Schuster,
1992, $35.00; ISBN 0-13-210576-4
Dictionary of Environmental Science and Technology, Andrew Porteous, Revised
edition, [1st edition by Open University Press] Wiley, October 1992, $24.95,
ISBN 0-471-93544-1
Encyclopedia of Associations: International Organizations, Gale Research, Inc.,
Annual. Contact publisher for cost and ordering information.
Environmental Data Report 1991-92,2nd edition, GEMS Monitoring & Assessment
Research Centre Staff, United Nations Environment Programme, B.BIackwell, 1991,
$74.95, ISBN 0-631-18083-4
Environmental Policies for Cities In the 1990s, OECD Staff, OECD, 1991, $21.00,
ISBN 92-64-13435-2
EPA Publications Bibliography, National Technical Information Service, [Cumulative
volumes are produced every six years: 1970-75,1976-83,1984-1990] Quarterly.
Contact NTIS for price and ordering information.
Facts on File Dictionary of Environmental Science, L. H. Stevenson & B. Wyman, Facts
on File, 1991, $24.95,ISBN 0-8160-2317-4
Information Please Environmental Almanac, Edited by World Resources Institute Staff,
Houghton Mifflin Co., 1992, Hardcover: $21.95, ISBN 0 395-59625-4; Paper: $9.95,
ISBN 0-395-59626-2

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SELECTED ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLICATIONS
PAGE 2
*	* INFOTERRA/ USA Directory of Environmental Sources, Office of Information
Resources Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991,
EPA/IMSD/91-014; PB#92-102433
International Environment Reporter [looseleaf updates] Environmental & Safety
Services Staff, Bureau of National Affairs, $1400.00, ISBN 0-685-07314-9, Weekly
International Environmental Law, A. Kiss & D. Shelton, Transnational Publishers, Inc.,
1991. Contact publisher for ordering information and cost.
Nations of the Earth Report, (3 volumes), United Nations Conference On Environment
and Development (UNCED), Geneva, $50.00 per volume; Available from UNCED
Our Common Future, World Commission on Environment and Development, Oxford
University Press, 1987, $11.95, ISBN 0-19-282080-X
Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS), D.V. Sweet, National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, 1987. Contact the Government Printing Office for ordering information.
State of the Environment, OECD/Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development, 1991, $38.00, ISBN 92-64-13442-5, Annual
*	* Terms of Environment: Glossary, Abbreviations and Acronyms, Office of
Communications, Education, and Public Affairs, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, September 1992, EPA 175-B-92-001.
World Directory of Environmental Organizations: A Handbook of National and
International Organizations and Programs, 4th ed, T. Trzyna & R. Childers, ed.,
CA Institute of Public Affairs, 1992, $35.00, ISBN 0-912102-97-7
World Environment Law Bibliography, 1st edition, V.E. Templeton & H.J. Taubenfeld,
Rothman, 1987 [Lists non-periodical literature published 1970-1986] $47.50,
ISBN 0-8377-2736-7
World Environmental Research Directory, S. Farrell, ed., Pira International, 1992,
Contact the publisher for price and ordering information.
World Resources, 1992-3: A Guide to the Global Environment, World Resources
Institute, Oxford University Press,1992, Hardcover: $32.50, ISBN 0-19-506230-2;
Paper: $19.95, ISBN 0-19-506231-0

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COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT
(continued from page 2)
A Program for Action
Now that you ha ve a Policy Statement, you are ready
to go to work on putting together your collection. A
simple program consists of five basic steps:
•	Refine and prioritize your list of basic
documents
•	Select materials for the collection
•	Find out where you can get the materials
•	Acquire the things you need
•	Maintain the collection.
Working from your list: Review the "needs list" you
made as part of the planning phase. Add to it any
items that you feel are useful for specific topics
which fit within the scope of your collection.
Rank the items on your list from most important to
least. You probably will not be able to get everything
on your list all at once, so this priority system will
help you decide which things to purchase first.
Selection: We*!! look at this next issue.
Looking for sources: Now you need to find out how
you can actually get the materials you want. Don't
limityourself to justorderingfrompublishers. There
are many sources for free or low-cost materials,
including:
•	YourRSC—especially for U.S. EPA documents
•	Other NFPs—especially for laws and special
projects
•	Other agencies in your countiy
•	Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
•	Universities and Colleges in your area
Determine the best source for each document on
your list. Price is certainly a factor, but so are speed,
efficiency, and quality of copies.
Acquiring the materials: Now you're ready to start
collecting the materials you want. Work from your
list. Go ahead and get anything that is free (like some
documents from the RSC). Then order the items that
fit within your budget. Remember to get the high
priority items first. Try to get a good mix of items from
each subject area needed for your collection.
Being part of a network can serve you well. Consult
with other members of the Region to see what they are
acquiring and from where. You may decide not to
order something if another NFP is ordering it. You
can order something else and share your documents
with each other. This effectively doubles the size of
your collection (or more!).
Don't be afraid to ask other members of the Region
what they have and where they got it. Everybody has
different interests and contacts, and by sharing them,
we strengthen the whole Region.
Maintenance: Follow the schedule you have established
in your'policy. Maintaining the collection consists of
three elements:
•	Keeping it current: Check your materials to
make sure that they don't become obsolete.
Look for new versions or editions of materials
you already have and try to replace items as
they age.
•	Maintaining your list: Keep a "wish list" of
items that you want to add to the collection.
As you find out about new, interesting
materials, add them to the list. Continue to
prioritize materials. When you have more
money for acquisition, you'll be ready with a
list of things to purchase.
•	Weeding the collection: Even a small collection
may contain things that you no longer need.
Make sure that you discard obsolete or
irrelevant items on a regular basis. (You
should weed the collection at least annually.)
Now you're ready to go!
By following these simple steps, you can assemble an
effective, useful collection of materials to better serve
your patrons. Remember, you don't need a big
collection, just a well-planned one. Keep in touch
with one another, and work to support each other's
collections^ Together, the resources of the Region can
be vety powerful indeed.
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New NFP Directory Available

INFOTERRA/ USA has just completed assembling a new, updated list of all INFOTERRA National
Focal Points (NFPs) around the world. This list is complete to date, in alphabetical order by
country. It also includes separate lists for each area of the world (e.g., Africa) and an additional list
of all the Regional Service Centres.
Copies of the list are available in any of three formats:
•	Paper copies
•	Computer disks for WordPerfect 5.1 (specify size)
•	Computer disks for dBase III+ (specify size)
Computer files can also be sent to you using EMail (on the INTERNET) if you have access to an
account.
If you are interested in receiving copies, just inform your RSC. Please include the preferred format
in your request.

J)
rr
=^\
NEXT ISSUE
Volume 2, Number 3 of Caribbean Currents will be
published in June 1993. It will feature information on ways
to select materials for your collection, including establishing
its scope. Please feel free to share any experiences you've
had with selecting and acquiring materials. This doesn't
have to be a major project, any efforts you have made can be
useful to share with the other NFPs.
Your input is valuable! Everyone is encouraged to send in
news items, press releases, announcements, or just a brief
description of what is going on in your country. Any kind
of information can be useful.
The deadline for submissions to the next edition is May 7,
1993. If you have any questions or problems, please feel free
to contact your RSC for help or information. You can reach
the Currents coordinator by:
•	phone at (202) 260-3638
•	FAX at (202) 260-3923
•	EMail, through the INTERNET, at
LIBRARY.INPOTERRA®
EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV
Thanks for your interest and assistance.


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AROUND THE REGION
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION EXCHANGE WORKSHOP IN TRINIDAD
From November 30 to December 2,1992, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Economic
Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) held a training seminar in Port of Spain, Trinidad on the
use of the Electronic Environmental Information Exchange System (EEIES). DSJFOTERRA Managers from Belize and
Guyana both attended the seminar. Other participants came from Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Dominica,
Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The opening ceremonies featured Mr. Clyde Heilman, Programme officer of the UNEP Regional Office for Latin
America and the Caribbean (ROLAC); Mrs. Wilma Primus, Chief of the Caribbean Documentation Centre in Trinidad;
and Mr. Roger Johnson, Senior Programme Officer, INFOTERRA/PAC, Nairobi. The Seminar focused on the use of
EEIES for the exchange of environmental information between agencies and international organizations. Practical
sessions on the use of the INFOTERRA database, ISIS, and AMBIONET query searches were also held. Participants
gained valuable information about the existence of environmental databases in the Caribbean as well as the process of
logging in to ECLAC to gain access to these databases.
—submitted by Jaime Villanueva, INFOTERRA/Belize
'¦ ^
GRAND OPENING
Caribbean Environmental Information
Center in Puerto Rico:
The Caribbean Environmental Information
Center (CEIC) is scheduled to open on April
15,1993 at the Universidad Metropolitan
library, State Road 176, Kilometer 0.3, Rio
Piedras, Puerto Rico. For more information,
contact Andrew Battin at (202) 260-5109 or
Luis Miguel Rico (809) 766-1717, ext. 555.
-submitted by Andrew Battin, U.S. EPA
J
Jamaican NFP Represented at Workshop:
Jamaica was represented at the recent Environmental Electronic Information Exchange Systems/
INFOTERRA workshop in Trinidad by Mr. Anthony Murrary, one of the NFP computer specialists. In i
post-workshop interview, Mr. Murrary said, "The workshop was not only informative but educational.
Most of the time was used in practical, hands-on sessions—how to access and use AMBIONET and
INFOTERRA, their databases, and electronic mail facilities." He went on to describe these systems as
allowing for cost-effective high-speed information and data exchange between the various links in the
INFOTERRA chain.
The National Resources Conservation Authority is confident that its NFP functions will be enhanced thanks
to the introduction to and training in the use of the various electronic information exchange systems.
submitted by Shewn O'Connor, INFOTERRA/Jamaica
/
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fr
Glenn Archer
Department of Environmental Health Services
P.O. Box N-3729
Nassau. THE BAHAMAS
Telephone: (809) 322-4908 FAX; (809) 426-8959
NFP DIRECTORY
"Note changes for Jamaica**
(Please notify the RSC of any changes.)
Marguerite Blemur

Minlstere de l'Agrlculture et des Resources Naturelles
et du Developpement Rural
P.O. Box 1441
Port-au-Prince, HAITI
Telephone: 509-22-1867	FAX: 509-22-3599
Vernese Inniss
Administrative Officer (Environment)
Ministiy of Labour, Consumer Affairs and
the Environment
Marine House, Hastings
St. Michael. 29. BARBADOS
Telephone: (809)427-2326
FAX: (809)426-8959
Sharon O'Connor
Natural Resources Conservation Dlvison
Ministry of Tourism & the Environment
53 1/2 Molynes Road, P.O. Box 305
Kingston 10. JAMAICA
Telephone: (809) 923-5155/5125 FAX: (809) 923-5070
Jaime Villanueva
Fisheries Department
Princess Margaret Drive
P.O. Box 148
Belize City. BELIZE
Telephone: 501-2-44552
FAX: 501-2-32983
John Husbands
Health Planner
Ministiy of Health. Labour, Information
Broadcasting, and the Environment
Chausee Road
Castries, ST. LUCIA
Telephone: (809) 453-1960 FAX: (809) 453-1080
The Director
Forestry and Wildlife Division
Ministiy of Agriculture
Roseau, DOMINICA
Telephone: (809) 8240, ext. 270 or 282
Mavis Taylor
INFOTERRA Director
c/o UNDP
P.O. Box 10960
Georgetown, GUYANA
FAX: 592-2 62942
Emma J. McNamara
INFOTERRA/USA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Headquarters Library
Room 2904, PM-211A
401 M Street. S. W.
Washington. D. C. 20460, USA
Telephone: (202) 260-5917 FAX: (202) 260-3923


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