FAQ
What is NLM?

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What is the National Library of Medicine (NLM), what does it do, and what can it do for me?

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Answer:

The National Library of Medicine (NLM):

• is the world's largest biomedical library
• explores the uses of computer and communication technologies to improve the organization and use of biomedical information
• supports a national network of local and regional medical libraries, as explained at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/nnlm.html
• educates users about available sources of information so that they may conduct their own research concerning medical topics
• acts as a supplemental resource after local, regional, and other national resources have been contacted
• creates databases and databanks for your use
• provides grants

NLM does not:

• provide specific medical advice
• send pamphlets or other printed materials
• do research for individuals

For more information, go to:

About the National Library of Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/about/index.html

The National Library of Medicine Fact Sheet
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/nlm.html

National Library of Medicine section from the NIH Almanac
http://www.nih.gov/about/almanac/organization/NLM.htm

Return to the list of FAQs
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/services/faq.html

Last reviewed: 08 June 2007
Last updated: 27 August 2007
First published: 01 January 1998
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