Informationist Program

The NIH Library Informationists are embedded librarians with subject-matter expertise who work in a clinical, basic science, biomedical research, or public health specialty. Informationists specialize or hold degrees in biochemistry, cardiology, chemistry, endocrinology, molecular biology, nursing, and public health. They provide customized library and information management services for clinical and basic science and public health research teams at NIH and 16 HHS staff and operational divisions.

What We Do

NIH Library Informationists perform a wide range of specialized services including conducting literature searches, facilitating requests for information, understanding and managing data, providing instruction, identifying experts and collaborators, and helping build custom information tools and resources

Find the information you want: basic science, clinical science, old, new, popular and obscure

Informationists conduct comprehensive literature searching for peer reviewed and gray literature in support of systematic reviews. You might not know informationists can help you find data about drugs, patents, legislation, and technology transfer resources. They can find industry research summaries; policy documents; "gray" literature; and best practices. An Informationist can set up notifications to keep you current in your specialty.

Organize and manage your information, with training in use of information management programs like EndNote and Mendeley

Perhaps a custom data service for documents or publications would be useful for you. (see Custom Information Solutions Service). If you deal with data, informationists can provide basic training and consultation and help you decide if you need specialized advice on data management, data visualization, data sharing and preservation. (see Data Services Program). Support is available for bibliographic software such as EndNote.

Help with presenting and communicating research

Help with your manuscripts, including editing, formatting, references, and journal selection. (see Editing Service). Informationists can create a customized webinar, class, or consultation for your team or group.

Find and use specialized library services.

Informationists can help you with bibliometric and research portfolio analyses (measure the impact of your research and analyze your research publication statistics) and refer you for expert assistance (see Bibliometric Service). Support for bioinformatics training and consultations, and access to powerful tools and knowledgebases for analyzing and understanding the biological significance of a variety of data are available (see Bioinformatics Program). The program offers assistance with data management, analysis, and visualizations for all types of data.

For more information, contact Margaret McGhee.