Knowledge and Utilization of the United States National Library of Medicine's Biomedical Information Products and Services Among African Health Sciences Librarians

Abstract

The United States National Library of Medicine (NLM) has the largest collection of biomedical information products and services in the world. Little is known of the extent to which librarians in sub-Saharan Africa are aware of and use these resources. The study's aim was to assess knowledge and frequency of use of NLM's biomedical information products and services among African librarians. Forty-three of the 50 delegates at the 11th biannual Congress of the Association of Health Information and Libraries in Africa (AHILA) participated in the study. The findings showed that participants' knowledge of NLM information products and services was low and that there is a need for increased awareness and training in the use of NLM's information products and services in order for users on the African continent to effectively benefit from them.

KEYWORDS:

• Africa
• biomedical information
• health information
• health information professionals
• librarians
• NLM
• training
• U.S. National Library of Medicine

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christine Wamunyima Kanyengo

Christine Wamunyima Kanyengo, MA ([email protected]) is Deputy University Librarian, University of Zambia Library, P. O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.

Grace Ada Ajuwon

Grace Ada Ajuwon, MLS ([email protected]) is Reference and Information Services Librarian, E. Latunde Odeku Medical Library, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Queen Elizabeth Road, U.C.H, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Nancy Kamau

Nancy Kamau, MA ([email protected]) is Deputy University Librarian, Kenya Methodist University, P. O. Box 267-60200, Meru, Kenya.

Cristina Horta

Cristina Horta, MLS ([email protected]) is an Independent Consultant, Av. Paulo Samuel Kankomba, 288, Maputo, Mozambique.

Abdrahamane Anne

Abdrahamane Anne, MA, MIS ([email protected]) is Assistant Lecturer, Department of Public Health Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, University of Bamako, PO Box 1805, Bamako, Mali.