Open AccessWhen spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion1: NLM’s work in information technology and health in Africa, 1997–2011
Author(s) -
Julia Royall
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
information services and use
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 1875-8789
pISSN - 0167-5265
DOI - 10.3233/isu-210129
Subject(s) - general partnership , work (physics) , malaria , the internet , library science , political science , national library , public relations , medicine , world wide web , engineering , computer science , mechanical engineering , law , immunology
In 1997, Donald A.B. Lindberg M.D., Director, U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) agreed to address the request of African malaria researchers for full access to the Internet and medical journals as part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) contribution to the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM). This challenge matched my interests and previous experience in Africa. I joined NLM in 1997 to help establish the MIM Communications Network (MIMCom) in partnership with several NIH components and more than 30 other partners in Africa, the U.S., the United Kingdom (U.K.), and Europe. After a successful launch of MIMCom, NLM worked with African partners to create a series of innovative programs with scientists, librarians, journal editors, and medical students to build capacity on the continent and enhance global access to research in Africa.