Library News

Concern Over Federal Library Closures

The last year has seen a number of closures, proposed closures or downsizing of federal science libraries. While Environmental Protection Agency libraries have really been the focus of attention, the atmospheric science librarian network sees the issue in a broader context.The July issue of BAMS (pp1113-1115) features an article written by me in my capacity as chair of the Atmospheric Science Librarians International (ASLI) titled, "Concern Over Federal Library Closures" where the issues are descibed in more detail. It is preceeded by a piece written by Keith Seitter, executive director of the Society.  Both articles address concerns about access to information. You can also link to the BAMS article and other information from the ASLI web site.

There have been no closures in Wisconsin, but we do have science libraries that are the recipients of federal funds and research librarians around the state and the nation regularly utilize their resources.

Since publication of the BAMS article, the Senate Appropriations Committee, in its 2008 Interior Appropriations bill, has ordered the EPA to reopen its closed libraries. However, the House-passed bill does not contain the EPA library language. ASLI has contacted appropriate congressional leaders, urging them to support a final bill containing the EPA library language and to support controls that would prevent ill-planned closures of other federal libraries.

The accompanying article, "Preserving and Accessing Information Critical to Our Community," by Keith Seitter, addresses some issues related to accessing grey literature.  ASLI is actively urging the AMS to archive its conference literature as it does its journal literature to ensure its availability for the long term.

I encourage you to learn more about this issue by reading the documents posted at the sites in this article. Additonal background information can be found here:

• American Libraries Association. Federal Libraries and Information Programs.
• Special Libraries Association. SLA Continues Dialogue with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Library Closures. 9 May 2007.
• Special Libraries Association, Government Information Division. Current Affairs blog.
• U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS). NCLIS Restates Position on Federal Libraries and Access to Public Information. February 2007.

 

New Science Electronic Resources on Campus

Proceedings of the SPIE: Astronomy and Astronomical Optics (AAO), section includes adaptive optics, astronomical instrumentation, astronomy, atmospheric propagation engineering, atmospheric sciences, detectors & focal plane arrays, infrared/electro-optic systems, optomechanical design, space technologies, ultrafast lasers, x-ray/EUV components and x-ray/EUV physics.

Science Express, provides electronic publication of selected Science papers in advance of print.

Web of Knowledge: Science Citation Index Expanded, now extends back to 1965.

Selected Electronic Resources for Atmospheric Data and Information, includes forecasts, climate data, maps and charts, open access e-journals, career and education, air quality and pollution, climate, weather observations & forecasting, severe weather.