National Library of Medicine Disaster Information Management Research Center: Establishment and growth, 2008–2010

Abstract

In 2008, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) established the Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC). Prior to 2008, NLM had a long history of involvement in providing health information for disaster management. Aware of this legacy and moved by the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the NLM long range plan (Charting a Course for the 21st Century: NLM’s Long Range Plan 2006–2016) called for creation of a center to show “a strong commitment to disaster remediation and to provide a platform for demonstrating how libraries and librarians can be part of the solution to this national problem”. NLM was urged to “ensure continuous access to health information and effective use of libraries and librarians when disasters occur”. In response to this charge, NLM has undertaken substantial efforts to ensure that medical libraries have plans for the continuity of their operations, librarians are trained to understand their roles in preparedness and response, online disaster health information resources are available for many audiences and in multiple formats, and research is conducted on tools to enhance the exchange of critical information during and following disasters. This paper documents the history, goals, initiatives, accomplishments and future plans of the Center.

National Library of Medicine Disaster Information Management Research Center: Achieving the vision, 2010–2013

“…As described in the earlier paper [22], the Disaster Information Management Research Center was created in response to recommendations of the NLM Board of Regents' Long Range Plan (2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016) directing NLM to support national emergency preparedness and response efforts. Following a year and a half of planning, DIMRC opened in July 2008 with a staff of seven as part of the Specialized Information Services (SIS) Division [48] in Bethesda, Maryland.…”

“…NLM has long provided health information, training, and tools in response to disasters. The NLM commitment to providing disaster health information pre-dates the creation of the Disaster Information Management Research Center by several decades and is documented in a 2013 paper [ 22 ] on the Center’s “Establishment and Growth, 2008–2010”. Pre-2008 efforts included the development of WISER (Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders) [ 55 ], REMM (Radiation Emergency Medical Management) [ 45 ], and the Influenza Virus Resource [ 21 ]; assistance for Hurricane Katrina-affected medical libraries; disaster-related informatics research grants; and the formation of the Central American Network for Disaster and Health Information (CANDHI, now known as LANDHI or RELACIGER) [ 44 ].…”

“…Products and prototypes have been tested at annual mass casualty drills held by the three Bethesda hospitals and in other settings [ 36 ]. The BHEPP projects and earlier NLM grants are highlighted in the 2008–2010 paper [ 22 ]. Despite the discontinuation of funds for BHEPP, several prototypes continue to be further enhanced and tested with BHEPP and new partners.…”

“…This paper reviews the 2010–2013 progress of the Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC) toward achieving the vision of its establishment at the National Library of Medicine (NLM). It builds on a 2013 paper [ 22 ] that describes the establishment and early years of DIMRC in 2008–2010 and reviews NLM disaster-related activities prior to 2008.…”

Implementation and Evaluation of the Value of Improved and Sustained Information Access by Library Expertise (VISIBLE) Program

“…7 The National Library of Medicine (NLM) created the Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC) in 2008 to collect, organize, and disseminate critical health information to emergency responders, health professionals, and the general public during mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery from disasters. 8 The NLM's DIMRC resources include training courses, databases, research and after-action reports, guidelines, and preparedness and response tools. 9 The NLM also provides training for librarians to become Disaster Information Specialists; this specialized education prepares librarians to serve as support for providing information related to disaster medicine, emergency management, and public health preparedness.…”