The United States National Library of Medicine (NLM) is a premier biomedical and health sciences research institution and the world's largest medical library. It is located in Bethesda, Maryland and serves as a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
The NLM's primary objective is to collect, organize, and disseminate information related to biomedical and health sciences research. It houses an extensive collection of books, journals, databases, and other resources that are available to medical professionals, scientists, researchers, students, and the general public both online and at its physical facility.
The NLM is responsible for maintaining and providing access to numerous databases that are widely used by the healthcare community and researchers worldwide. Some notable databases include PubMed, a comprehensive index of biomedical literature, and MedlinePlus, a consumer health information resource that offers reliable and easy-to-understand information on diseases, conditions, medications, and more.
Additionally, the NLM plays a critical role in advancing biomedical research and informatics through its various research and development programs. It supports cutting-edge technologies and initiatives in areas such as computational biology, medical informatics, and data science, contributing to the progress and innovation in the field of health and medical research.
Overall, the United States National Library of Medicine is a vital resource for the scientific and medical community, providing comprehensive access to information and advancing the understanding and practice of healthcare and biomedical sciences.
