Meet the NLM Investigators: Dr. Zhiyong Lu is Teaching Computers to Think Like Scientists

Posted on by Patti Brennan

Let’s meet Zhiyong Lu, PhD, a Senior Investigator for our National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Computational Biology Branch and member of the NLM Intramural Research Program. He is leading a team of research scientists to harness the power of machine learning and artificial intelligence (ML/AI) to advance the ways our products and services work—advancements … Continue reading Meet the NLM Investigators: Dr. Zhiyong Lu is Teaching Computers to Think Like Scientists

Dr. Andrea Norris to Retire, Leaving Legacy of Successful Innovation

Posted on by Patti Brennan
In honor of Dr. Andrea Norris retirement from NIH

NIH’s Andrea Norris is an outstanding example of a visionary and leader in health information technology. She possesses deep technical knowledge, experience, creativity, and thoughtfulness. I had the good fortune to work closely with Andrea and considered her to be one of my closest colleagues here at NIH. In celebration of her more than 30 … Continue reading Dr. Andrea Norris to Retire, Leaving Legacy of Successful Innovation

The NLM Mezzanine . . . A Space and a Place

Posted on by Patti Brennan

When we launched this blog over six years ago, we selected the title NLM Musings from the Mezzanine to reflect that the thoughts and ideas originated in this beautiful place, situated on the upper story of the National Library of Medicine building on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. I reflected on this inspirational place … Continue reading The NLM Mezzanine . . . A Space and a Place

Endings and Beginnings

Posted on by Patti Brennan
two figures building a snow person made from the letters N, L, and M

I LOVE this time of year…. I love the cold weather (I am a snow baby at heart!); I love the holiday season and the connections with my past and present; I love the sense that as one year ends, a new one comes along—and we don’t have to do anything to make this happen! … Continue reading Endings and Beginnings

How Looking Back Leads Us Forward: A Musings Year in Review

Posted on by Patti Brennan

When NLM wrapped up 2021 last December, we took a moment and considered what our future might bring. What would a hybrid work environment look like? How would we UNITE to show our commitment to health equity? Where are we in regard to our building renovations? And how would we continue to innovate NLM products … Continue reading How Looking Back Leads Us Forward: A Musings Year in Review

Anticipating a Future We Never Anticipated

Posted on by Patti Brennan

During the summer of 2017, my first summer as Director of the National Library of Medicine, Joyce Backus—our then-NLM Associate Director for Library Operations (ADLO)—approached me with a wild idea: “How about we engage an architectural firm to guide renovations of our library space?” Joyce was a forward-thinking ADLO and had already done much to … Continue reading Anticipating a Future We Never Anticipated

Do You Play Word Games?

Posted on by Patti Brennan
cell phone screen with word game: trust, serve, align, blast, health

There is an astoundingly popular word game in which the player gets six tries to guess the word of the day, which has been pre-drawn from a list of five-letter words. The only skills one needs are the ability to recognize the alphabet and basic English-language spelling ability. My sisters and I play every day … Continue reading Do You Play Word Games?

Giving Thanks Where Thanks is Due

Posted on by Patti Brennan

One of the great joys of being the Director of the National Library of Medicine is the many opportunities for me to express gratitude. In the past, I have given thanks to NLM staff who are veterans (2021), for progress during my tenure (2020), and to our amazing NLM staff members (2019). This year, I … Continue reading Giving Thanks Where Thanks is Due

The More AMIA Changes, the More It Stays the Same . . .

Posted on by Patti Brennan

Right at this very moment, the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) 2022 Annual Symposium is underway in Washington, D.C., and we encourage you to visit NLM @ AMIA 2022 for updates on NLM's products and programs. Now this may sound quite familiar to those of you who have attended AMIA annual symposiums in Washington, D.C., … Continue reading The More AMIA Changes, the More It Stays the Same . . .

Who Really Are Our Users, and How Can We Help Them?

Posted on by Patti Brennan

Well, this is a question too big for even the largest biomedical library in the world to answer. Our users are everywhere, and in fact, the same user may approach us with very different needs or personas, such as the brilliant cell biologist who is also the mother of a sick toddler. Today, I am … Continue reading Who Really Are Our Users, and How Can We Help Them?