NNLM Region 6 Regional Medical Library

The Hardin Library for the Health Sciences (HLHS) at the University of Iowa, the current Regional Medical Library (RML) for the Greater Midwest Region (GMR), proposes to serve as the RML for the newly established Region 6, consisting of: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The RML has developed eight aims that will guide it through the five-year cooperative agreement. The aims cover core focus areas that will be prioritized by the RML, which include: governance, membership, collaboration, emergency preparedness, community-based outreach, workforce development, technology access, and evaluation. Throughout each aim, the RML will be guided by principles of open communication, cooperation, collaboration, and active participation. RML staff will establish bidirectional communication channels both within and beyond NNLM. Feedback provided through internal working groups and external advisory groups will assist in programmatic decision-making. As part of a cooperative agreement with the National Library of Medicine (NLM), Region 6 will work under the guidance of NLM Extramural Programs and the Office of Engagement and Training (OET) to work cooperatively to advance the mission of NNLM. Collaboration with other RMLs, Offices, and Centers will inform activities related to membership, outreach, and training. RML staff will seek opportunities to engage across NNLM to build programs that can be developed nationally and rolled out regionally, or vice versa. RML staff will also take an active roll in assessing, developing, delivering, and evaluating all national and regional activities delivered as part of their work. The RML will be guided by a logic model, to be developed in collaboration with the NNLM National Evaluation Center, and continuous evaluation throughout the five-year cooperative agreement will enable data-driven decision-making regarding programming activities.