The National Library of Medicine: An Investment in Good Health
Updated April 2017
Prepared by the Joint MLA/AAHSL Joint Legislative Task Force
For further information, contact Mary M. Langman at 312.419.9094 x27
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The National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world’s largest biomedical library, produces trusted health information used by health professionals, students, researchers, innovators, medical librarians, and the public to advance medicine and improve public health. In partnership with other parts of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies, NLM is the key link in the chain that translates biomedical research into practice, making the results of research readily available worldwide.
Because NLM is an investment in good health; because its resources serve the public, care providers, and researchers; and because NLM is a leader in global disaster preparedness and response support, the Medical Library Association (MLA) and Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) urge Congress to increase funding levels to at least $412,097,000 for NLM in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 and FY 2018, to increase NIH funding to $34.1 billion in FY 2017, and to provide NIH with an increase of at least $2 billion above FY 2017 funding, in addition to funds included in the 21st Century Cures Act.
NLM Resources Serve the Public, Care Providers, and Researchers
NLM makes almost 300 databases and online services freely available through libraries and to anyone with Internet access. These resources support health care, public health, disease prevention and wellness, biomedical research, and innovation.
NLM’s most heavily used resources are:
The Medical Library Association (MLA) is a nonprofit, educational organization with 3,500 health sciences information professional members worldwide. Founded in 1898, MLA provides lifelong educational opportunities, supports a knowledgebase of health information research, and works with a global network of partners to promote the importance of quality information for improved health to the health care community and the public.
The Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) supports academic health sciences libraries and directors in advancing the patient care, research, education, and community service missions of academic health centers through visionary executive leadership and expertise in health information, scholarly communication, and knowledge management.