About National Library of Medicine
Welcome to the National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest biomedical library and the center of biomedical informatics and computational biology at NIH. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is a part of the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is one of the world's foremost medical research centers. NLM collects, organizes, and makes available biomedical information to scientists, health professionals, and members of the public.
The NLM was founded in 1836 as a small collection within the Office of the Surgeon General. Over time it has grown into one of the largest libraries in the world with over 28 million items including books, journals, manuscripts, audiovisuals and other forms of media. The library's collections cover all areas related to biomedicine including basic sciences such as anatomy and physiology as well as clinical medicine.
One unique aspect about NLM is that it provides access to its vast collection through various online databases such as PubMed Central®, MedlinePlus®, ClinicalTrials.gov® among others. These databases are freely accessible by anyone with an internet connection making them an invaluable resource for researchers worldwide.
In addition to providing access to information resources, NLM also conducts research in areas such as natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML), data science among others. This research helps improve how we search for information on medical topics by developing new algorithms that can better understand natural language queries or identify patterns in large datasets.
Another important role played by NLM is its support for training programs aimed at improving health literacy among members of society who may not have formal medical training but need access to reliable health information. These programs include workshops on how to use online resources effectively or how best to communicate complex medical concepts in plain language.
Overall, The National Library Of Medicine plays a critical role in advancing biomedical research globally by providing access to high-quality scientific literature while also conducting cutting-edge research aimed at improving our understanding and use of this knowledge base. Its commitment towards promoting health literacy ensures that everyone has equal access regardless if they have formal medical training or not making it an invaluable resource for all those interested in healthcare-related topics around the globe!
nlm.nih.gov
