he 2003 calendar year will ring in a reorganization of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) Online Training Program classes. In order to cover the varied features and nuances for each database/system adequately and at a comfortable pace, we are adjusting our class offerings.

For 2003, we will offer a one-day class devoted entirely to PubMed^® as well as a new half-day class concentrating on the NLM Gateway and ClinicalTrials.gov; TOXNET^® is still offered as a one-day class. See the class descriptions below for details. Previously, discussion of the NLM Gateway and ClinicalTrials.gov was somewhat limited, occurring at the end of an already full instruction period. We also found that it was increasingly difficult to cover PubMed features and enhancements when all three systems were included in a single class offering. This reorganization will provide classes that are more focused and efficient.

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 12 million MEDLINE^® citations back to the mid-1960's. Attendees of this free class earn Medical Library Association (MLA) continuing education credits (number of credits yet to be determined).
  
  
• 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 MLA continuing education credits (number of credits yet to be determined).
  
  
• 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 7 MLA continuing education credits.

NLM Staff will also be teaching classes in Bethesda, MD on the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS^®) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Molecular Biology Information Resources. Please watch the NLM Technical Bulletin for announcements of 2003 class offerings.

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/. Not all the 2003 classes have been scheduled yet so please check the NTCC Web site periodically for announcements of additional 2003 classes.

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 also automatically placed on the waiting 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 a packet with information on hotels, local site arrangements and the class agenda. Information on location of training sites and links to many of the sites' Web pages are available from the NTCC Web site.

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.

Distance Education via the Web
A Web-based, PubMed tutorial is also available. Just click on Tutorial on the PubMed sidebar. The self-paced, interactive tutorial is useful to the casual, first-time, PubMed searcher as well as to the more experienced PubMed searcher.

Questions/More Information
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:

The National Training Center & Clearinghouse
notc@nyam.org
Web site: http://nnlm.gov/ntcc/
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 Online Training Program: 2003. NLM Tech Bull. 2002 Sep-Oct;(328):e8.