Excerpts from National Dialogue Discussion
Libraries as a Community Resource for Environmental Information
September 2000

"The online Dialogue technique is a great way to examine and define issues. A few public meetings or focus groups around the country could not produce the diversity of opinions and approaches that this event did. Dialogues are not quite online conferences because you don't have to miss anything happening in another room. You don't have to wait for the proceedings to learn what happened when you were off line. A dialogue seem freer than a panel discussion, because everyone is equally able to express his/her thoughts. No one is watching or cutting you off after the time limit as can happen in public meetings or hearings. And, once you see how the Web site works, it's easy to participate."

"Now that I have participated in this event, I can see many ways that this technique can be useful right now to EPA, other federal agencies, large associations, state agencies and in the near future, to all levels of government. This is a tool that can engage people in their government's planning and decision making, and encourage civic responsibility."
-- Patricia Bonner, Customer Service Director, US EPA

"I want to add my kudos to everyone who made this remarkable event happen. This type of activity (national dialogue) makes public participation in the shaping of public policy possible on a scale that is otherwise unimaginable. As a member of the press, I found the dynamic flow of dialogue led to deeper insights than any report, study or url...if only there were resources such as this on a variety of crucial topics! I found it far better than any "face to face" conference, because the interactions consisted of more than listening to the sage on the stage, everyone could hear and be heard, and there is a record of the knowledge that we're constructing available to everyone, from anywhere at any time... I hope the organizers and funders of this dialogue will be clear, convincing and successful in extending these benefits to more people over time!"
-- Ferdi Serim, Editor, Multimedia Schools

"I want to thank all the folks who put this dialogue on for the tremendous opportunity to participate. I have enjoyed the discussions and found them informative. I am hopeful that we can work together to build on this effort."
-- Tom Hughes, Director, Massachusetts Environmental Library

"I know that I have been able to read and keep up on some days, but not on other days, and I want to be sure that I have "mined" out any useful contacts and bits of information which will help me at the local community level. Thank you for having this dialogue."
--Gary Huggens, Librarian, The Library of Congress, Washington, DC

"Good luck with the ongoing discussions, and thanks for the chance to add our views. Every panelist deserves our heartfelt thanks. They responded with great candor and good sense. Thanks again to all who engineered this excellent effort."
-- James Marple for Citizens for Responsible Water Management

Excerpts from Evaluation Forms
Libraries as a Community Resource for Environmental Information
September 2000

• "I did find everyone's ideas and comments most interesting. I hope EPA plans more of these environmental e-forums on other topics. It certainly qualifies as stakeholder participation."

• "EPA should allow more public participation by hosting more e-forums on their programs and proposed actions."

• "Do it again for each facet of EPA functioning. The panel responded beautifully."

• "From the user's perspective, I was mainly interested in the process through which EPA information could be made more accessible and therefore more useful. I found the dialogue stimulating; but two weeks is not enough time to solve such large challenges."

• "I wanted to know how and what people see in libraries as a resource tool for communities. I wanted to know who is using what types of information and for what purposes. I wanted to share my expertise and ideas with others. I wanted to learn. Idid it all! and then some."

• "Thanks for the opportunity and kudos for a job well done."

• "I give the quality of content and participants high marks."

• "I would have enjoyed an additional week of dialogue."

• "I really liked the Quick Response forms, the daily summaries and the 4-pronged approach to reading archived messages."

• "I think it was very well run. I particularly liked that we could view it in a number of ways, including the threaded view."