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. 2022 Jul-Sep;41(3):310-327.
doi: 10.1080/02763869.2022.2095821.

Trends in… Modernization at the Nation's Medical Library

Dianne Babski  1 , Carl Leubsdorf Jr  2 , Barton W Trawick  2
Affiliations

Trends in… Modernization at the Nation's Medical Library

Dianne Babski et al. Med Ref Serv Q. 2022 Jul-Sep.

Abstract

This manuscript describes the ongoing efforts to meet ever-changing patron needs by modernizing operations, infrastructure, workforce, and customer service at the National Library of Medicine (NLM). Charged with collecting, organizing, preserving, and disseminating biomedical and life sciences information to the public, the NLM constantly adapts to evolving technologies and scientific advancements in order to better fulfill its mission. Historical context and an overview of operational decision-making offer a window into the workings of our nation's medical library.

Keywords: Agile development; MEDLINE; PubMed; automation; data driven changes; library resources; national Library of Medicine; operational advancement; user driven growth; user experience.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
NLM User Groups
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
PubMed Users
Figure 3:
Figure 3:
An experiment conducted on PubMed Labs, where variants of the cite button design were tested, with their associated click-through rates.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Plot of PubMed users, by device from Dec 2021-Jan 2022
Figure 5:
Figure 5:
MEDLINE citations in PubMed from 1960 to 2022
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. NLM Board of Regents. “A Platform for Biomedical Discovery and Data-Powered Health: National Library of Medicine Strategic Plan 2017-2027.” Accessed on 15 June 2022 from: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/plan/lrp17/NLM_StrategicReport2017_2027.pdf
    1. U.S. Digital Service. “Digital Services Playbook.” Accessed on 15 June 2022 from: https://playbook.cio.gov/
    1. Lindberg DA . “The National Library of Medicine and its role.” Bulletin of the Medical Library Association; vol. 81,1 (1993): 71–3. - PMC - PubMed
    1. U.S. Digital Service. “Our mission.” Accessed on 15 June 2022 from: https://www.usds.gov/mission

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