National Network of Libraries of Medicine: An Overview
Elaine Martin
Director, NN/LM,NER
The National Library of Medicine
* Acquirer, organizer and disseminator of health information
* Database producer and vendor
* The RML network has an important role to play

History of the RML Network
* Phase 1-resource building
* Phase 2-focus on health professionals
* Phase 3-added focus on consumer health information
The RML Model of Information Access
* 8 Regional Libraries
* A network of member libraries
* Defined mission and goals
* A clear set of services and products
* Funding opportunities for members
* Program reassessment and redesign every five years
  Mission
* Provide all U.S. health professionals with equal access to biomedical information
* Improve the public's access to information to enable them to make informed decisions about their health
Specific Goals
* To develop collaborations with network libraries to improve access to and sharing of biomedical information resources throughout the U.S.
* To promote awareness of and access to biomedical information resources for health professionals and the public and

Specific Goals (continued)
* To develop, promote and improve access to electronic health information resources by network member libraries, health professionals and organizations providing information to the public
What is the RML?
* The RML network is a government sponsored program administered by the National Library of Medicine and carried out through a nationwide network of health sciences libraries and information centers
Network Structure
* Full Members-Regional Medical Libraries, Resources Libraries and PALS
* Affiliate Members-Resource Center Libraries, Public Libraries, Community College Libraries, etc.
Responsibility of Membership
* Designated local contact
* Listing in national network membership database
* Have a collection to share

Membership Summary
* Established in 1967
* Field force of the NLM
* 5000 Participating institutions
* Making quality health information available to health professionals and the public
Specific Services
* Health Information Services
* Librarian and Health Education Services
* Special Projects
Health Information Services
* MEDLINE
* MEDLINEplus
Librarian and Health Education 
* Instructional services
* Exhibits and demonstrations
Special Projects
* Outreach to health professionals
* Outreach to consumers
* Electronic Document Delivery projects
* Technology Awareness conferences

Reassessment of the Program
* Re-competition for RML status every five years
Conclusions
* The RML network is a partnership between the NLM and the 5000 member institutions
* Emphasis on resource sharing not resource building
* Increased emphasis on outreach/facilitator of equal access to health information to health professionals and consumers (new audience)

Conclusions (continued)
* Continued emphasis on serving the underserved and minority populations
* Expanded partnerships with community based groups and public libraries
* Continued emphasis on marketing NLM's services and products 
* Continued emphasis on training all audiences

Final Conclusion
* The NN/LM (RML) offers one effective model of information access to government information, specifically health information.