NLM Training Program Changes & New PubMed Training Class Announcement
The National Network of Libraries of Medicine® (NN/LM®) 2011-2016 Contract means big changes for the NLM® Training Program (see NN/LM Regional Medical Library Contracts Awarded ).
Name Change
The training center is now named the National Library of Medicine® Training Center or the NTC. The University of Utah was awarded the NTC contract. Please check out their Web site at //nnlm.gov/ntc/.
Class Changes
PubMed® class
We will ultimately replace the one-day PubMed class with a hybrid PubMed for Trainers class. This hands-on course consists of lectures, individual exercises, group work and discussions in four sessions, with independent work before or after each session. The course will consist of three 1½ hour online sessions and a six-hour in-person session. NLM or NTC trainers will deliver the lectures and facilitate discussions.
The objectives of the class are for current and future PubMed trainers to discover and develop:
- functional knowledge of the MEDLINE® database,
- understanding of the structure and use of the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH®) vocabulary in MEDLINE/PubMed,
- expertise in the use of features and functions of the PubMed system, and
- techniques and best practices in MEDLINE/PubMed instruction with fellow trainers.
The class is intended specifically for those who train, or will train, others to use PubMed. This class could be for you if you teach PubMed to large groups, small groups, or one-on-one training. We look forward to lively discussions on PubMed instruction and adult education best practices.
The first PubMed for Trainers class will be in Bethesda, MD in October. The NTC will begin offering these classes in 2012. Until that time, the NTC will continue to teach the one-day PubMed training course as described on the NTC Web site.
TOXNET® and Beyond class
We will continue to offer the one-day TOXNET and Beyond class. This course is designed to convey the basics of searching TOXNET, a Web-based system of databases in the areas of toxicology, environmental health, and related fields. The course also teaches students how to use the NLM Environmental Health and Toxicology portal which provides resources beyond the TOXNET® databases. Students learn the content and structure of files covering toxicology data, toxicology literature, toxic releases, and chemical nomenclature. The databases highlighted are TOXLINE®, the Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB®), the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), and ChemIDplus®. The course includes lectures, online demonstrations, and hands-on exercises.
NLM Gateway & ClinicalTrials.gov class
We will no longer offer the ½ day NLM Gateway & ClinicalTrials.gov class. We will retire the NLM Gateway on December 1 (see NLM Gateway Transitioning to New Pilot Project Site). For ClinicalTrials.gov training please use the seven animated Quick Tour tutorials (2-4 minutes in length). From the ClinicalTrials.gov homepage, click on Background Information, then click on the Online Training link.
Wait, there’s more...
Stay tuned for more training opportunities as they are developed. Web-based PubMed training is also available at //www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/disted/pubmed.html or from the PubMed Tutorials link from the PubMed homepage.
Once again, please visit the NTC Web site for more information, to register for classes and to follow the NTC on Twitter.
Zipser J. NLM Training Program Changes & New PubMed Training Class Announcement. NLM Tech Bull. 2011 Sep-Oct;(382):e4.
