Contributed Paper Abstract
Leading the Bioinformatics Core for the South Carolina Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (SC BRIN)
Ruth A. Riley, Director of Library Services; Sarah H. Gable, Associate Director/Head of Public Services, School of Medicine Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.
Purpose: This paper will report on the activities of the School of Medicine Library in leading the Bioinformatics Core for the SC BRIN initiative, http://brin.sc.edu.
Setting/Participants/Resources: The University of South Carolina (USC) School of Medicine Library is a small academic health sciences library in a community-based medical school. The SC BRIN includes three mentor institutions -- USC, Clemson University, and Medical University of South Carolina; three mentored institutions -- College of Charleston, Furman University, and South Carolina State University; and 24 outreach institutions in the state.
Brief Description: The goal of the SC BRIN is to increase the National Institutes of Health research capacity of the state by programmatic expansion and networking of research activities at academic institutions in South Carolina. The Bioinformatics Core provides networked access to shared biomedical information resources and bioinformatics tools; consultation and education; and enhanced communication among South Carolina biomedical researchers, via the SC BRIN web portal. Issues to be addressed include the planning, challenges and accomplishments of the project.
Results/Outcome: The SC BRIN web portal has had 4,500 visits since its December 2001 opening. The Core convened a meeting of the library directors of the mentor and mentored institutions, initiated discussion of the current state of access to key biomedical information resources, and developed strategies for consortial purchasing of critically needed resources.
Evaluation Method: The Core's record of achievement is evaluated at quarterly meetings of the SC BRIN Steering Committee, and reported semi-annually for evaluation by the External Advisory Committee. The web portal includes a feedback button.
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