Regional medical libraries: a concept and a necessity

Area of Science:

• Library and Information Science
• Medical Librarianship
• Health Sciences Information Services

Background:

• The Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan Regional Medical Library (KOMRML) was the first decentralized Regional Medical Library (RML).
• Understanding the evolution of RMLs is crucial for appreciating modern health sciences library networks.
• Early RMLs played a significant role in information dissemination within the medical community.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the foundational concepts and establishment of Regional Medical Libraries (RMLs).
• To analyze the structural organization and hierarchical relationships within the RML system.
• To investigate the function of RMLs as social agencies impacting medical information access.

Main Methods:

• Historical analysis of RML program development.
• Examination of RML administrative structures and network models.
• Literature review on the social and functional roles of medical libraries.

Main Results:

• KOMRML pioneered a decentralized model among RMLs.
• Early RMLs were conceptualized with specific relationships to the National Library of Medicine.
• The hierarchical structure and social agency functions were key aspects of RML design.

Conclusions:

• The decentralized model adopted by KOMRML represented a significant shift in RML organization.
• Early RMLs were designed with a clear hierarchical structure and a defined social purpose.
• The RML program's evolution highlights the changing landscape of medical information services.