Regional Medical Library for Region 3 of the Network of the National Library of Medicine: Program

The Gibson D. Lewis Health Science Library of the University of North Texas Health Science Center (HSC) proposes to host the Regional Medical Library (RML) for Region 3 of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) in order to support its mission of working through libraries and other members to support a highly trained workforce for biomedical and health information resources and data, improve health literacy, and promote information access for all. Region 3 will serve as a regional hub to develop a highly skilled workforce, ensure proper stewardship of funds, and develop unique engagement opportunities for member libraries and other organizations to carry out regional and national programs. The Specific Aims of the RML Program Core, with numbering continued from the Overall Specific Aims, will be to (6) blanket the region with programming and funding to achieve the NNLM mission by leveraging and growing the library network; (7) develop a highly-trained data science workforce and increase access to biomedical resources and data through strategic partnerships, tailored programming, and through LIS engagement; and (8) address consumer health issues while conducting outreach to communities and community organizations in partnerships with new and existing network members, along with joint collaborations with other RMLs. By offering different types of continuing education credit, Region 3 will be able to ensure that its training offerings can attract and reach a wider set of professionals that serve the region. Programming in of itself will be robust and targeted, utilizing a variety of modalities in order to sustain interest and create engagement in the region. Funding will follow a similar vein and include award mechanisms that allow for a variety of outreach projects. A significant portion of all of this programming and funding will focus on developing data science skills and competencies in the current and future workforce. For scalability, Region 3 will focus on partnering or jointly offering activities with network members and/or other RMLs.