APPENDIX 1 Network Membership.pdf

RFP NN/LM 2011-2016

Appendix 1: Network Membership

Appendix 1

NETWORK MEMBERSHIP

BACKGROUND

The National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM), the first comprehensive national library Network, began in 1967. Under the leadership of the National Library of Medicine and through the participation of medical libraries and other information resource providers throughout the nation, it has developed into a well-organized and effective Network for meeting the information needs of the nation's health professionals and the general public.

The NN/LM (formerly the Regional Medical Library Network) established a mechanism to formally recognize participating institutions in 1988. Although formal recognition is now being given to these participants, it is acknowledged that many other organizations and institutions are part of and contribute to the success of the Network.

DEFINITION OF THE NATIONAL NETWORK OF LIBRARIES OF MEDICINE

The Medical Library Assistance Act of 1965 (P.L. 89-291) established a program of grants and contracts to assist in developing the services of medical libraries and facilitating the dissemination and utilization of information related to health sciences.

Included in the original law and all subsequent amendments was a program to assist the development of a national system of Regional Medical Libraries (RMLs).

The mission of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine is to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public health by: 1) providing all U.S. 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. The program is coordinated by the National Library of Medicine and carried out through a nationwide Network of health science libraries and information centers.

Stated goals for the NN/LM are:

1. To develop collaborations with NN/LM libraries to improve access to and sharing of biomedical information resources throughout the nation;

2. 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 the Healthy People 2020 goal of eliminating health disparities;

3. To develop, promote and improve electronic access to health information by

Network members, health professionals, and organizations providing health information to the public.

CATEGORIES OF NETWORK MEMBERSHIP

There are two (2) categories of membership within the NN/LM: Full and Affiliate.

A Full member can be any health sciences library or health-related information center, institution, or organization that: (1) is regularly staffed; (2) has an Internet connection;

(3) has its own collection of health sciences materials (books, journals, audiovisuals, electronic databases); (4) provides information services to health professionals and/or the general public.

"Information services" should include the following:

1. Answering or referring reference questions;

2. Performing information searches.

Full members are also encouraged to provide document delivery service to their own users and/or to unaffiliated users.

An Affiliate member is a library, information/resource center or organization that promotes health information, education, and/or access, but does not meet all of the criteria for Full member participation.

CONDITIONS OF NETWORK MEMBERSHIP PARTICIPATION

Each Full member and Affiliate member institution must agree to make the following contributions:

• Designate an individual as the local contact person for network information/communications.

• Be listed in the national directory of Network members. National directory information is available online through the membership file NN/LM Members Directory (http://nnlm.gov/members/).

• Provide up-to-date information about services and/or collections (where applicable) to NLM and to their Regional Medical Library (NN/LM.)

BENEFITS OF NETWORK MEMBERSHIP

Full and Affiliate members will receive the following benefits:

• A certificate recognizing NN/LM membership

• Access to a variety of training opportunities

• The opportunity to network with other NN/LM members

• Access to the latest health related news and information

• Access to the interlibrary loan systems used by health sciences librarians and

NLM

• Posters, brochures, bookmarks, and other promotional materials

• Eligibility for funding for health information access and other projects

• The opportunity to provide input on regional NN/LM programs and services