National library of medicine
National Library of Medicine (NLM)
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is the world's largest biomedical library and a branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is located in Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Pronunciation
National Library of Medicine: /ˈnæʃənəl ˈlaɪbrəri ɒv ˈmɛdɪsɪn/
Etymology
The term "National Library of Medicine" is derived from its role as a national repository for medical knowledge in the United States. The term "library" comes from the Latin "liber," meaning "book," while "medicine" comes from the Latin "medicina," meaning "the healing art."
History
The NLM, originally called the Library of the Office of the Surgeon General of the Army, was established in 1836. It was renamed the National Library of Medicine in 1956.
Services
The NLM provides access to a vast amount of biomedical and health information through various services and databases, including PubMed, MedlinePlus, and ClinicalTrials.gov. It also offers interlibrary loan services and conducts research in biomedical informatics and health information technology.
Related Terms
- Biomedical Informatics: The field that focuses on the use of technology and data to improve healthcare.
- PubMed: A free search engine maintained by the NLM for accessing the MEDLINE database of references and abstracts on life sciences and biomedical topics.
- MedlinePlus: A service of the NLM that provides high-quality health information for patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
- ClinicalTrials.gov: A database of privately and publicly funded clinical studies conducted around the world, maintained by the NLM.
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