National Library of Medicine

facility

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is the world's largest medical library, housing more than seven million books, journals, and other health and medical materials. The NLM serves as a critical source of trusted information for medical researchers, healthcare professionals, and the general public .

US National Library of Medicine History

• 1836: Founded as the Library of the U.S. Army Surgeon General
• 1865: Transferred to the Library of Congress
• 1956: Becomes part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• 1980s: Electronic information services launched, databases such as PubMed constructed

Representative collections and services

• collection:

  • The library holds books, magazines, papers, images, videos, etc. in a wide range of fields, including medicine, dentistry, nursing , pharmacy, and veterinary medicine.
  • Many historical medical documents and valuable materials are stored here

• service:

  • PubMed: A literature database for medicine and biology
  • MedlinePlus: A health information site for the general public
  • ClinicalTrials.gov : Clinical Trial Information Database

The significance and influence of the U.S. National Library of Medicine

The U.S. National Library of Medicine is a major player in advancing medical research and improving public health. Its vast collections and state-of-the-art electronic information services support researchers and health care professionals worldwide and promote the sharing and advancement of medical knowledge.

• Promoting medical research:
  • Providing researchers with access to the information they need to support new discoveries and the development of new treatments
• Supporting healthcare professionals:
  • Providing the latest medical knowledge and clinical information to contribute to the provision of high-quality medical care
• Improving Public Health:
  • Providing a health information website for the general public, contributing to raising health awareness and preventing illness

The U.S. National Library of Medicine is pioneering new possibilities for medical libraries by providing innovative services that utilize information technology .