NN/LM Pacific Southwest Region 1996-2001 Accomplishments

PSRML and the health sciences library members of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) in the Pacific Southwest Region have worked together for over three decades to enhance health information access. May 1, 2001, marked the beginning of a new five-year contract with the National Library of Medicine, which will extend through April 30, 2006. As we look back over the last five-year contract period, we can be proud of many noteworthy accomplishments. In collaboration with Network members, we have:

• Improved Internet connectivity levels at libraries and health-related institutions in the region;
• Organized continuing education programs for regional librarians, including "Symposium on E-Resources: Electronic# Exasperating! Essential?";
• Assessed regional information needs through focus groups, site visits, regional meetings, and Regional Advisory Committee feedback;
• Promoted awareness and use of NLM's electronic health information resources, including PubMed, MEDLINEplus, ClinicalTrials.gov, the NLM Gateway, and TOXNET, through exhibits, training, and presentations;
• Developed BioSites, a current listing of evaluated Internet resources in the biomedical sciences;
• Coordinated regional Loansome Doc services for unaffiliated health professionals and members of the public, including creation of a web-based directory of providers;
• Initiated consumer health information outreach services;
• Collaborated with the California State Library on funding a pilot Consumer Health Information for California project;
• Implemented regional outreach programs focusing on AIDS/HIV, public health, rural, inner city, and population-based information needs;
• Extended regional outreach programs using subcontracts and purchase order agreements, including implementation of a successful streamlined web application for smaller awards;
• Published an electronic newsletter—Latitudes has been published on the web starting with the January/February 2000 issue;
• Contributed to design and testing of Web DOCLINE, offered regional training and user support, and upgraded all regional holdings in preparation for the Web DOCLINE release on July 17, 2000;
• Implemented FreeShare for "back to basics" document delivery;
• Delivered fact sheets and publications via PSRML's web site, in coordination with other NN/LM regions;
• Coordinated resource sharing task forces that studied document delivery issues, including electronic funds transfer;
• Experimented with new technologies for meetings and instruction (desktop and satellite videoconferencing);
• Piloted a successful regional partner outreach program—PSRML partnered with a Network member to deliver training and demonstrations of electronic health information resources in a rural area; and
• Developed MLA Brandon/Hill Journal Links to identify key clinical journals available in full-text on the web.

For an overview of regional activities from 1996-2001, click the table, National Network of Libraries of Medicine Pacific Southwest Region, 1996-2001 Summary Statistics.

In addition to working with the regional NN/LM membership, which currently numbers 622 libraries, PSRML has collaborated with the following organizations: state and regional health professional associations, state and county departments of health, community-based organizations, health policy research centers, schools of public health, state libraries, public libraries, schools, academic institutions, graduate schools of library science, Area Health Education Center (AHEC) programs, and Medical Library Association chapters.

On behalf of current and past PSRML staff, many thanks to our Network colleagues for your valuable contributions to the NN/LM mission over the last five years. We look forward to continuing our efforts together with you to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public health by 1) providing health professionals with equal access to biomedical information and 2) improving the public's access to information to enable them to make informed decisions about their health.   EG

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