Fall Issue
Volume 3 - Issue 7
In This Issue:
  
Director's Corner

On October 21st, I was asked to talk to the attendees of the Federal Depository Library Conference about the National Network of Libraries of Medicine as a model for distributing government information. One of the reasons I was asked was because our library also happens to be one of the select few stand-alone medical libraries left in the country who have retained their federal depository status in addition to being an RML. As many of the librarians in the room, we too had been questioning the viability of remaining a depository library and for the meantime, continue to do so. Much of the conference was devoted to discussing a possible redefinition of federal depository library status and looking at other models for distributing government information.

I'd like to take this opportunity to summarize my remarks at this conference. The premise of my presentation was that the NN/LM offers one model of free and convenient access to government health-related information. Perhaps some of these characteristics would translate over into any possible redesign of the federal depository library program.

Characteristics of the NN/LM include:

  • 8 regional centers or libraries based on geography
  • An active formal network of member institutions/libraries helping the regional centers do the work
  • A defined mission and goals
  • A clear set of services and products from the NLM that the centers and member libraries can offer
  • Funding opportunities in the form of subcontracts and awards for member libraries who wish to take on special outreach projects
  • A reassessment and re-design of the program every five years

    • Other important aspects about the network are:

  • The RML network is a partnership between the NLM and more than 5000 member institutions
  • Emphasis is on resource sharing not resource building
  • There is an increased emphasis on outreach and facilitation of equal access to health information to both health professionals and consumers.
  • There is continued emphasis on serving the underserved and minority populations
  • There is an increased emphasis on expanding partnerships with state libraries, public libraries and community based organizations
  • Providing access to information, offering training opportunities, and marketing and promoting NLM's services and products are ways in which we carry out the NN/LM mission and goals.

    • The best thing about the conference-although many of the attendees were not that familiar with the RML network, there was one gentleman from the Oklahoma State Library that got up at the end of my talk and urged his colleagues to contact their local RML and gave a testimonial about the benefits of network membership. I couldn't have planned for a better ending.

    Elaine Martin, Director

    NLM | NN/LM | NER


    Comments to:
    Rebecca.Chlapowski@umassmed.edu
    		University of Massachusetts Medical School
    222 Maple Avenue Shrewsbury, MA 01545
    Phone:  800-338-7657
    508-856-5979
    Fax:  508-856-5977