Regional Medical Library for Region 3 of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (AR, KS, LA, MO, NE, OK, TX) and National Public Health Coordination Office

The Gibson D. Lewis Health Science Library of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth proposes to host the Regional Medical Library for Region 3 of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) in order to achieve its mission of working through libraries and other members to support a highly trained workforce for biomedical and health information resources and data, improve health literacy, and promote access to information for all. Region 3 will serve as a regional hub to develop a highly skilled workforce, ensure proper stewardship of funds, and develop unique engagement opportunities for network member libraries and other organizations to carry out regional and national programs. In partnership with key stakeholders throughout the region, Regional Medical Libraries (RMLs), NNLM Offices and Centers, and the National Library of Medicine (NLM), Region 3 will serve audiences that include researchers, health professionals, public health workforce, medical librarians, and other health information providers in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.

The Overall Specific Aims are to (1) build a learning organization that is responsive to the needs of the region and collaborative with key stakeholders, other RMLs, NNLM Offices and Centers, the NNLM Evaluation Center (NEC), and the National Library of Medicine to achieve the mission and goals of the NNLM; and (2) engage with the community to promote and build trust in NLM health information, biomedical resources, data, and other products to reach all communities in collaboration with partners in and out of the region. In order to achieve these goals in the new performance cycle, Region 3 will focus on continuous improvement and data-driven practices in collaboration with the NNLM Evaluation Center (NEC) and the NNLM Training Office (NTO) to ensure it is effectively serving regional needs through a variety of training approaches, funding opportunities, and programming. Additionally, it will develop more robust engagement and communication strategies that are both sustainable and meaningful for growing network membership. Last but not least, the Regional Medical Library will take a cross-sector approach, recognizing that tackling factors that impact health such as literacy requires engaging organizations and partners to make a lasting impact in our communities.

Grant Number: 5UG4LM012345-10
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Daniel Burgard