University Times

The Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) has been awarded a five-year contract from the National Library of Medicine to serve as the regional medical library (RML) for the Middle Atlantic region of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM).

The Middle Atlantic region includes the states of Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

HSLS is one of eight institutions nationally serving as regional medical libraries contracted by the National Library of Medicine.

HSLS faculty and staff will work to promote access to health sciences information with a variety of intermediaries, including health sciences librarians, health care providers, public health professionals, public librarians, educators, community organizations, community colleges, health advocacy groups, faith-based organizations and self-help groups.

The eight RMLs and the NN/LM member network support the National Library of Medicine’s outreach efforts to health professionals and consumers to increase awareness, facilitate access and provide training in the many web-based information services, such as MEDLINE/PubMed, MedlinePlus and ClinicalTrials.gov.

Since its authorization by Congress in 1965, NN/LM has worked to equalize and enhance access to health sciences information throughout the United States. Its mission is to advance the progress of medicine and improve public health by providing health professionals and the general public with equal access to biomedical information.

The goals of the 2011-16 contracts are: to develop collaborations among network members and other organizations to improve access to biomedical information resources throughout the nation; to develop, promote and improve electronic access to health information by network members, health professionals and organizations providing health information to the public, and to promote awareness of, access to and use of biomedical information resources for health professionals and the public, with a particular emphasis on contributing to Healthy People 2020, an effort to identify nationwide health improvement priorities.