Extramural programs of theNational Library of Medicine: program objectives and present status

The National Library of Medicine Extramural Program, utilizing the authorities of the Medical Library Assistance Act of 1965 and the Public Health Service Act, includes support for library construction, improving and expanding basic library resources, research and development, man-power development, publications, and support for the operation of regional health sciences libraries.The program objectives relating to these various activities have been outlined. A $4,000,000 supplement has been appropriated by the Congress for fiscal year 1966 to implement the authorities of the Act. With the construction provision available in fiscal year 1967, over $13,000,000 has been requested for the second year of the program. The Medical Library Assistance Act is intended to catalyze and stimulate expanded support of medical libraries by their host institutions. Bold and imaginative plans by the medical library community are essential to the full success of the endeavor.     

Coordination of regional libraries with Regional Medical Program projects

The Medical Library Assistance Act authorized the Regional Medical Library Program to improve information services in health fields, as well as other programs designed to help the health worker. Both the RMLP and the Regional Medical Program are based on regional cooperation to enhance the value of available resources, and to enable health workers away from main centers to use them. Services which Regional Medical Libraries must supply are described. As this program develops, more than conventional library services will be provided.Regional Medical Programs stress the continuing education of health-related personnel, and their need for health information; libraries are necessarily involved in such programs. The regions of the RMP are smaller than those of the RMLP, and the smaller regional focus may be an advantage.Specific examples of the coordination of library services and library-oriented programs are given.