EPA's Grand Library Re-Opening

The Environmental Protection Agency proudly announced the grand reopening of several of its regional libraries yesterday.

"The reopening of regional libraries in Chicago, Dallas and Kansas City and the library at headquarters will help the agency better share information," EPA officials said in a press release. "Also, all EPA libraries received additional funding for equipment, staffing, or materials to further enhance the public's access to environmental information."

What went unstated in the release was the fact that EPA had moved swiftly in 2006 to shutter the libraries and digitize materials in them. At the time, an EPA official said that "when libraries go digital, everyone benefits." The move came in anticipation of proposed Bush administration budget cuts.

Congress responded by mandating that the agency reopen the closed libraries, and provided additional funding for them.

Now, EPA says, "all libraries will be staffed by a professional librarian to provide services to the public and EPA staff via phone, e-mail, or in person."