Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Engagement Branch

NLM’s Engagement Branch serves as a strategic connector, equitably and accessibly linking the credible biomedical information and resources created and curated at the National Library of Medicine to diverse individuals and communities around the world. The Engagement Branch has two programs: the Access Program and the User Engagement Program.

Access Program

Reading Room

The NLM Reading Room is open to all by appointment Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00. Visitors may access hundreds of databases, full text resources, and request materials from the general and historical collections. Staff are available to assist visitors with collection access and reference questions.

Customer Service

NLM Customer Service helps to meet biomedical information needs of U.S. health professionals, scientists, health sciences librarians, and the public.  Staff help online and onsite researchers use NLM products and services, such as PubMed and a variety of electronic and print resources. Our staff respond to requests for help with any of the resources, services, and programs of the Library. Staff can be reached through the online Support Center, by telephone (1-888-FIND-NLM), or by mail. 

Interlibrary Loan

The Engagement Branch provides access to the library’s collection to patrons through interlibrary loan using DOCLINE®, NLM's automated interlibrary loan request, routing, and referral system.

User Engagement Program

The User Engagement Program (UEP) coordinates programs, products and services that reach NLM’s diverse stakeholders and audiences at both national and global levels.

The User Engagement Program staff coordinates NLM product experts, NNLM Training Office staff, and NNLM instructors into effective teams that combine product knowledge, instructional design, evaluation, and logistical experience and expertise. Staff have an in-depth understanding of and experience with diverse audiences. These teams develop authoritative instruction on NLM resources in the form of train-the-trainer programs offered via the NNLM, adaptable lesson plans, and online tutorials for the public and for embedding into learning management systems.

The User Engagement Program is committed to capacity building and workforce development and coordinates two fellowship programs:

The User Engagement Program maintains several programs and products that engage, educate, and enrich its diverse audiences. 

The User Engagement Program supports the evaluation needs of NLM and the NNLM through consultation, training, resources, and tools. The staff develops metrics and measures for assessing personal and community impact of health information provision and promotes use of evaluation to engage and learn about NLM’s programs, help leadership make data-driven decisions, and enhance the visibility of successes. These efforts are carried out through:

Past Engagement Programs:

Last Reviewed: June 25, 2024