Region 4, Regional Medical Library and Network of the National Library of Medicine Training Office

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Region 4 Overall - Project Summary The Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library (EHSL), University of Utah, as the Regional Medical Library (RML) for Region 4, will implement regional and national programs in support of the mission of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) to provide U.S. researchers, health professionals, public health workforce, educators, and the public with equal access to biomedical and health information resources and data. This will include training, funding, and engagement opportunities for member libraries and other organizations to carry out regional and national programs. Region 4 will assess and interpret the needs of current and potential audiences to expand the reach and impact of the National Library of Medicine (NLM). Region 4 will work with the other RMLs, Offices, Centers and the NNLM Evaluation Center to cooperatively design, implement, and evaluate innovative approaches to serving the biomedical and health information needs of researchers, health professionals, public health workforce, educators, and the public in communities across the U.S., so that all communities have equal access to the highest level of health information regardless of demographics. The nine states of Region 4 have a number of commonalities including large rural areas with few cities, Native American Reservations and Tribal Universities and Colleges, extensive areas lacking internet service, border regions to the North with Canada and to the South with Mexico, many medically underserved communities and individuals (MUC/I), and rural hospitals and clinics. Our focus on engaging with libraries and other organizations such as public health entities and community-based organizations, as well as establishing two-way communications throughout Region 4, will enable increased outreach, education, and funding designed to improve access to reliable health information and data. Centrally located within Region 4, the EHSL, as part of the University of Utah (UU), is uniquely positioned to engage successfully in the work described. As part of the UU community, we will leverage the affiliations with our hospitals, clinics, schools, colleges, diversity officers, and teaching and learning specialists to enhance the success of our programs nationwide. We believe that trust in NLM, NNLM, and RML products and services can only be achieved when the communities served have an authentic and legitimate voice in how these services are administered. Our proposal demonstrates a sustainable plan to listen to and partner with current and future audiences throughout Region 4 and the nation to increase access to reliable health information and improve health equity.