May 1st is the beginning of our fourth year of the present contract (1996-2001) to serve as the Regional Medical Library (RML). Each year we review our program objectives and develop a new annual budget to support our programs and services. Our year 4 objectives are now available on the PSRML Web site at: http://www.nnlm.nlm.nih.gov/psr/. Check them out to see all the things we hope to accomplish in the next twelve months!
While many of our programs continue, with little change, from year to year, we are always revising and adjusting our activities to meet regional needs and changing priorities at the National Library of Medicine (NLM). This year brings an important and very welcome change in that NLM is now committed to support consumer health information services through the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. As a result, a new position is being added to each of the eight RMLs to coordinate consumer health information services. The program is still being defined by NLM and the RMLs but we anticipate that we will be working closely with public libraries to help them fully utilize NLM's resources, particularly those aimed at healthcare consumers (e.g. the MEDLINEplus Web site). Since many of you have been working in this area for a long time, we will be looking to you for advice and support, as we develop our new program and priorities in consumer health information services.
Among the other highlights of year 4, we want to draw your attention to:
If you would like more information about any of these initiatives, or have questions about our year 4 objectives, please contact us at the PSRML office by phone or email. We look forward to another active year, working with you to improve access to health information within our region.