NNLM Region 6 Regional Medical Library - The Hardin Library for the Health Sciences (HLHS) at the University of Iowa, the current
Regional Medical Library (RML) for the Greater Midwest Region (GMR), proposes to serve as
the RML for the newly established Region 6, consisting of: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan,
Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The RML has developed eight aims that will guide it through
the five-year cooperative agreement. The aims cover core focus areas that will be prioritized by
the RML, which include: governance, membership, collaboration, emergency preparedness,
community-based outreach, workforce development, technology access, and evaluation.
Throughout each aim, the RML will be guided by principles of open communication,
cooperation, collaboration, and active participation. RML staff will establish bidirectional
communication channels both within and beyond NNLM. Feedback provided through internal
working groups and external advisory groups will assist in programmatic decision-making. As
part of a cooperative agreement with the National Library of Medicine (NLM), Region 6 will
work under the guidance of NLM Extramural Programs and the Office of Engagement and
Training (OET) to work cooperatively to advance the mission of NNLM. Collaboration with
other RMLs, Offices, and Centers will inform activities related to membership, outreach, and
training. RML staff will seek opportunities to engage across NNLM to build programs that can
be developed nationally and rolled out regionally, or vice versa. RML staff will also take an active
roll in assessing, developing, delivering, and evaluating all national and regional activities
delivered as part of their work. The RML will be guided by a logic model, to be developed in
collaboration with the NNLM National Evaluation Center, and continuous evaluation
throughout the five-year cooperative agreement will enable data-driven decision-making
regarding programming activities.