EPA Region 10 Library

Did you know that as a member of the public, you have access to an extensive environmental library located right in the heart of downtown Seattle? I didn’t, and was pleasantly surprised to learn of the many resources available to the public during a recent visit to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 Library.

EPA Region 10 focuses on the EPA's work and mission in the Pacific Northwest, which is comprised of: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and the Pacific Northwest Indian Country. To learn more about Region 10, you can visit their website.

In addition to serving staff from the EPA and other governmental agencies, the Region 10 library is also frequented by environmental professionals and local attorneys. Located downtown at 1200 Sixth Avenue, the library is open to the public from 9am – noon and 1 - 4pm, Monday - Friday (except federal holidays). (Visitors to the library are required to first check in at the EPA Service Center on the 12th floor.) The library's collection includes legislative histories, CFRs, USCAAN and selected journals. It also maintains a collection of materials unique to the work carried out by the EPA in Region 10. Reference assistance is available in-person at the library, and also online. For online assistance, just click on “Ask a Librarian” directly from the library's homepage. From the homepage, you also can access the EPA Library Catalog, as well as link to various Region 10 public documents.

In addition to its legal collection, the Region 10 library also highlights fun and interesting reads pertaining to the environment. The Cyanide Canary—an environmental legal thriller based in the Pacific Northwest—was highly recommended during my visit to the library. This book just so happens to also be a part of Gallagher Law Library’s "Good Reads" collection, located near the Law Student Lounge. So, if this peaks your interest and you find yourself with a little extra time on your hands, come over to the library and check it out.

-- Melia Cossette