The CalEPA Library offers reference services to all CalEPA staff, other state agencies and the public. CalEPA employees also have access to information and resources that are not available in the library’s collections through interlibrary loans with other government libraries including the California State Library and university/college libraries. Library staff members respond to all inquiries.
The library’s online catalog includes listings of print materials, links to free technical reports, and to scientific journal subscriptions accessible online from library and CalEPA staff computers.
The library hosts a reference center that provides the public and staff with access to a variety of materials for use in the library including directories of environmental and government agencies; legal materials concentrating on the regulatory aspects of environmental law; and scientific resources, such as the Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology.
The Library also maintains a print journal collection with holdings dating back to the 1960s that reflect the subject interests of the agency, its boards, departments and office. The journal collection is available for viewing and copyright-compliant photocopying in the library. Back-issues are available for CalEPA employees to borrow.
Materials in the CalEPA library circulate to staff only, under the following guidelines:
- Reference materials and the current issue of all periodicals do not circulate and are only for use in the library. Upon special request, short term loans can be made for books.
- CalEPA staff may check out back issues of journals and DVD’s for two weeks.
- All other library materials circulate for one month.
Materials in the CalEPA library generally do not circulate to the general public, but can be utilized within the library.