[link|http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/16143596.htm|http://www.mercuryne...tics/16143596.htm]

Shutdown of EPA libraries worries scientists, advocates

[...]

"Travers said staff use of the libraries was down dramatically in recent years because of the ease and speed of the Internet."

[...]

"EPA spokeswoman Jessica Emond said that only outdated documents would be discarded.

But Bill Hirzy, an EPA chemist, said the chemical library was told to "just literally throw in the Dumpster" a valuable collection of environmental journals.

"Just throw them out," he said. "We managed to put a halt to that. It's that kind of craziness that's going on down there."

The libraries contain scientific data on a variety of environmental topics, from acid rain to wetlands. Trained librarians guide EPA scientists - as well as the homeowner concerned about the construction project next door - through a trove of reports, books, scientific journals, maps, microfilm and other resources.

Among their holdings are obscure articles and publications usually unavailable on the Internet."

[...] more in the article.