Introduction to the JMLA supplement: the NLM 2004 symposium on community-based health information outreach

This paper introduces the Special Supplement to the Journal of the Medical Library Association that documents the proceedings of the Symposium on Community-Based Health Information Outreach held on December 2 and 3, 2004, at the National Library of Medicine (NLM). The goal of the Symposium was to explore new models of health information outreach that are emerging as technology dramatically changes the abilities of medical and health services libraries to provide resources and services beyond their traditional institutional boundaries, with particular concern for consumer health information outreach through community-based organizations. The Symposium's primary objectives were to learn about successful and promising work that had already been done as well as to develop a vision for the future that could inform the NLM 19s next National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) contract. Another objective was to review and assess the NLM's Strategic Plan to Reduce Health Disparities with special emphasis on Native Americans. Part of a Symposium supported by Contracts 467-MZ-302306 and N01-LM-1-3521 from the National Library of Medicine with additional funding provided by the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities.