Specialized Information Services (SIS)
The National Library of Medicine's (NLM) Division of Specialized Information Services (SIS), offers a broad array of publicly accessible and free online information resources and services in toxicology, environmental health, chemistry, HIV/AIDS, disaster management, minority health and other specialized topics.
- The Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program (TEHIP) was established at NLM in 1967 as the Toxicology Information Program, as a result of recommendations from the President's Science Advisory Committee. Over the years, TEHIP, through TOXNET and associated platforms, has taken advantage of new computer and communication technologies to provide more rapid and effective access to toxicological and environmental health information for larger and more diverse audiences, ranging from the scientific community to the public. It continues to develop innovative databases and tools, as well as link users to external sources of information. In addition to general toxicology, TEHIP'S portfolio of databases cover a wide range of subjects such as cancer causing chemicals, risk assessment, occupational safety, dietary supplements, household products, toxic releases, etc. The recent inclusion of PillBox, for identifying prescription pills, and the Drug Information Portal, into TEHIP's family of databases, strengthens its drug information holdings. Data from cutting edge research, in nanomaterials and toxicogenomics, for example, is also increasingly being offered.
- Development of HIV/AIDS information resources has been a focus of the Division for 20 years, starting with the AIDSTRIALS and AIDSDRUGS databases in 1989. As available information has increased, new resources and services have been developed. SIS now manages AIDSinfo and its Spanish language companion, infoSIDA, collaboration between NIH and other HHS agencies, offering the official Federal medical treatment guidelines for HIV/AIDS and opportunistic infections, drug and clinical trials information and related information for patients as well as connecting with NLM's portal for more information. The AIDS Community Information Outreach Program, initiated in 1994, seeks to improve patient and general public access to quality information.
- The Outreach and Special Populations Branch seeks to improve access to high-quality health information by targeted populations, including the underserved, educators and the public health workforce. The Branch continues to evolve and reach out to underserved communities through the latest technologies as well as community-based partnerships and innovative dissemination methodologies. Recent efforts have included working with students and educators at the middle and high school level to incorporate health information and environmental health into school curricula.
- The Division's newest component is the Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC). DIMRC was created in response to the Library's long-range plan, which recognized the untapped potential of libraries, librarians and information services to aid in the nation's disaster management efforts. DIMRC is committed to help prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate the adverse health effects of disasters in conjunction with federal, state and local governments, private organizations and local communities. To this end, SIS is developing new resources and tools, including the Wireless Information System for Emergency Response (WISER) and Web sites dedicated to Radiation Emergency Medical Management and Chemical Hazard Emergency Medical Management (CHEMM). DIMRC also promotes partnerships such as the Bethesda Hospitals Emergency Preparedness Partnership.
- SIS continues to evolve, using technology to bring relevant information to users globally, in a variety of formats. In addition to databases and Web sites, the Division is using social media such as Twitter and YouTube, and developing mobile applications for smartphones for users on the go. SIS will celebrate NLM's 175th anniversary with several special events: a Disaster Information Specialist Symposium, special activities at the HSDB Scientific Review Panel meeting, the 20th anniversary of the Environmental Health Information Partnership and the 10th anniversary of the United Negro College Fund Special Programs/National Library of Medicine Access Project for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
