"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe ."
-John Muir
Founder,
Sierra Club
Environmental Librarian
Environmental Librarianship
As the demand for information about the environment increases, there will also be a subsequent need for librarians in this field.
The position requires a basic knowledge and interest in science, and a desire to learn about environmental issues and topics.
The collection at the Region 2 Library contains sources in the natural and environmental sciences, biology, chemistry, and topics specific to the environment-hydrology, waste management, ecology. We offer a general collection- reference, government documents, videos, topographical and general maps, microfiche, and many electronic databases. There is also a law library.
The staff at the Region 2 Library consists of the Director, two librarians, a library technician and another librarian who is the Webmaster, and creates and manages the web page for all of Region 2 - New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. All of us, except for the Webmaster, have responsibility for and perform the operations of the library -reference, inter-library loan, cataloging, teaching, collection development, and preparation of teaching aids.
The library serves the EPA staff, students and the general public. The staff consists of scientists, engineers, geologists, ecologists, media and communications personnel, and information technologists.
Most of the reference requests derive from the EPA staff, but we also receive many queries via e-mail and telephone and from such diverse locations as Canada and South America. The requests cover a spectrum of topics-general, and very specific such as recycling, hydrology, drinking water, air quality, toxicology, brownfields, and superfund sites .
It is a very interesting and challenging position, with diverse duties and it presents an opportunity to learn about the natural world.and its sustainability.
Other Areas of Employment
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Environmental consultants
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Food, forest and tobacco industries
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Academia, museums, and research institutions.
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Chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics firms
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Law firms
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Conservation and environmental advocacy groups
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Government institutions - federal, state, city and local levels
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Publishers and database producers.
