he 2004 schedule of NLM online searching training classes is available. The 2004 schedule, along with the remainder of the year 2003 classes, may be found at the National Training Center & Clearinghouse Web site.
Classes Offered
NLM Training: PubMed®
This full-day class is designed to teach students how to use PubMed. It also includes an overview of the Medical Subject Headings® (MeSH®) and its importance as a tool to both searchers and indexers. PubMed provides access to over 14 million MEDLINE® citations back to the 1950's. Attendees of this free class earn 7.5 Medical Library Association (MLA) continuing education credits.
NLM Training: NLM Gateway & ClinicalTrials.gov
This half-day class is designed to teach students how to use the NLM Gateway. The NLM Gateway is a Web-based system that allows users to search simultaneously in multiple NLM retrieval systems. This class also includes a discussion and demonstration of ClinicalTrials.gov. Attendees of this free class earn 3.5 MLA continuing education credits.
NLM Training: TOXNET®
This full-day class is designed to convey the basics of searching the NLM's TOXNET, a Web-based system of databases in the areas of toxicology, environmental health, and related subjects. Students learn the content and structure of files covering toxicology data, toxicology literature, toxic releases, and chemical searching and nomenclature. Among the databases highlighted are TOXLINE®, the Hazardous Substances Data Bank, the Integrated Risk Information System, the Toxic Release Inventory, and ChemIDplus. Attendees of this free class earn 6.45 MLA continuing education credits.
UMLS® Basics
This full-day class, taught only at NLM, introduces NLM's Unified Medical Language System® (UMLS): what it is and how it is used. Students gain an understanding of the three main knowledge sources: the Metathesaurus, the Semantic Network, and the SPECIALIST Lexicon—what these are and how these tools are used in a variety of biomedical applications and research. A broad overview of the 95-plus source vocabularies contained in the Metathesaurus is provided. Criteria for assessing the usefulness of specific controlled vocabularies for clinical, research, and educational purposes are discussed. The online UMLS Knowledge Source Server (UMLSKS) is used to access UMLS data throughout the class. Hands-on exercises allow students to practice basic and advanced searching skills. Students will work with the MetamorphoSys software and learn how it can be applied to produce customized local versions of the Metathesaurus. The audience is medical librarians interested in medical informatics, who desire an introduction to the UMLS and an understanding of the issues and practical considerations involved in selecting and using appropriate controlled vocabularies for a range of biomedical applications.
Attendees of this free class earn 7.5 MLA continuing education credits.
NCBI's Introduction to Molecular Biology Information Resources
This three-day course provides an introduction to four domains of information generated by the field of molecular biology: nucleotide sequences; protein sequences; three-dimensional structures; and complete genomes and maps. An overview of search systems and databases available at the National Center for Biotechnology Information, including Entrez and LocusLink, emphasizes how your current search skills apply to molecular biology databases. The course also introduces more technical search systems, including BLAST and Map Viewer, as well as the Cn3D viewer for three-dimensional protein structures. The course format combines lecture, demonstration, and hands-on experience, and concludes with a discussion of various levels of molecular biology information services provided by librarians.
Attendees of this free class earn 20 MLA continuing education credits.
Videobroadcast of PubMed training class
NLM is pleased to announce that the Tuesday, February 17, 2004 PubMed training class held in Salt Lake City, Utah, will be videobroadcast to Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California. The Loma Linda remote site will be able to view and hear the class and send questions to the Salt Lake City instructors via a chat mode function. Our goal is to evaluate the use of this technology for future training class videobroadcasts to remote sites. We encourage users to register for these two classes and assist us in our evaluation.
How to Apply
You may view the training class schedule and register online for classes at the National Training Center & Clearinghouse (NTCC) Web site at http://nnlm.gov/ntcc/index.html.
Every attempt will be made to place training applicants in the class requested. If a class is filled, applicants will be registered for their second choice and will also automatically be placed on the wait list for their first choice. Please note that all classes are considered "tentative," pending the required minimum enrollment being met one month before the class.
Approximately one month prior to the class, registrants will receive information on hotels and local site arrangements. Information on location of training sites and links to many of the sites' Web pages are available from the NTCC Web site (http://nnlm.gov/ntcc/index.html).
Each Person Makes a Difference
Our classes are in demand and usually fill rapidly, often creating a waiting list. In order to help us provide training opportunities to as many people as possible, please notify the NTCC office if you have registered for a class and your plans change. The more advance notice you give us, the more likely it is that someone else can take the available space. It is very disappointing to begin a class with empty chairs that could have been occupied. We are asking for your cooperation to help allow as many people as possible to benefit from this free training program.
Questions/More Information
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:
The National Training Center & Clearinghouse
rml@library.med.nyu.edu
Web site: http://nnlm.gov/ntcc/index.html
800-338-7657 (press 2) or
212-822-7396
or
NLM Customer Service
custserv@nlm.nih.gov
888-FINDNLM (888-346-3656)
By Janet Zipser
MEDLARS Management Section
Zipser J. NLM® Training Program: 2004. NLM Tech Bull. 2003 Sep-Oct;(334):e3.
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