AIDS Research Databases Now Free to Community Organizations, Public Libraries, and Individuals

The world's largest library of health sciences, the National
Library of Medicine (NLM, a unit of the National Institutes
of Health), will no longer charge access fees for three AIDS-
related research databases and an online directory of
information sources. This means that AIDS organizations and
public libraries can now offer their clients the ability to
do a computer search of the medical literature to find
extensive background information on almost any drug,
condition, or other medical topic related to AIDS. Results
are available immediately, allowing users to refine their
searches again and again in order to get the information they
need.

AIDSLINE, the most important of these databases, includes
90,000 references (many with abstracts) to AIDS-related
journal articles, conference presentations, government
reports, books, and audiovisuals. It focuses on biomedical,
epidemiological, health-care administration, and social and
behavioral science AIDS literature. For example, AIDSLINE
includes the several thousand abstracts from each year's
International Conference on AIDS, as well as abstracts from
other conferences, which otherwise are not readily available
for computer searching.

Arranging to Use the System

Current users of AIDSLINE (and the other AIDS databases which
have now been made free) will no longer be charged if they
are accessed directly through the NLM (either by the
"Grateful Med" software recommended by NLM, or by direct
connection). New users must establish an account with the NLM
to begin using the databases. There are two ways of doing
this. Those organizations interested in using only the free
databases may request a special password and user
identification allowing free access. This option is good for
libraries and service organizations which may want to let
their clients use the databases without close supervision,
since there is no danger that the client will accidentally
get into a costly database and run up a bill. But
organizations which also want to use other NLM databases
(such as MEDLINE) must go through the standard registration
process. They will have access to all the NLM databases, but
will not be billed for using the AIDS-related ones. [Note:
individuals are not eligible for the special free accounts,
which are for community organizations and libraries. But
individuals can get still get free access, by opening a
regular account, and then using the AIDS databases, which
will not be charged for.]

In either case, users must have a computer and modem (or
direct Internet access, usually through a local-area network
at a university or other institution). The Grateful Med
software, which makes the system easier to use, is available
in IBM and Macintosh formats for $29.95. To order this
software, contact the National Technical Information Service,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Rd.,
Springfield, VA 22161, 800/423-9255.

For access to any of the databases, individuals and
organizations must complete an application for a user
identification and password. This application is included
with the Grateful Med software package; alternatively,
persons can obtain the application from MEDLARS (Medical
Literature Analysis and Retrieval System), National Library
of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20894, 800/638-8480, fax 301/496-
0822.

There are no long-distance telephone charges to use this
service, because local numbers are available in most cities,
through several data-communication networks. If there is no
local number in your area, other arrangements can be made.

Overview of the Databases

MEDLARS compiles technical and scientific information in
about 30 different computer databases maintained by the
National Library of Medicine. This system provides citations
to peer-reviewed journals (with abstracts when available) but
not full-text articles. Anyone can use a computer and modem
to access this extensive information collection from their
office or home. AIDSLINE (described above), AIDSTRIALS,
AIDSDRUGS, and DIRLINE are four databases which are now being
made available free.

AIDSTRIALS is an online computer database of about 500
clinical trials which are testing agents for use in treating
HIV disease, or for use as a vaccine. This database includes
protocol design, patient inclusion/exclusion criteria, trial
site, contact information, and a unique identifier which is
cross-referenced for acquiring information about the specific
agent being tested from its companion database, AIDSDRUGS.
AIDSDRUGS describes approved and experimental treatments for
HIV disease. [Note: The information in AIDSTRIALS and
AIDSDRUGS is the same as that which is available by telephone
from 800/TRIALS-A, the phone number of the AIDS Clinical
Trials Information Service.]

DIRLINE is a database of 15,000 organizations and projects
that provide information or other services to the public on
HIV/AIDS and other health topics.

Alternative Access Note

The HIV/AIDS Information BBS, modem phone 714/248-2836,
provides free and anonymous access to all four of the NLM
AIDS-related databases. (For more information about this
system, see AIDS TREATMENT NEWS #191, January 21, 1994).

Comment

Online research databases such as AIDSLINE have been
essential for AIDS TREATMENT NEWS; without them, this
newsletter would not have been successful. When we started,
AIDSLINE did not exist, and we used MEDLINE instead. Today we
use many databases, but AIDSLINE accounts for about three
quarters of our searches.

We do not expect the new policy on free access to the AIDS
information to result in a sudden spurt in use, since most
people are unfamiliar with online databases; they do not know
how to use them or why they are important. But what the new
policy does is to remove a major barrier -- database cost,
which used to start at about $18 per hour for AIDSLINE use --
which has prevented service organizations from considering
this resource. There is still the expense of staff training
to support this service, and of having a computer available.

Community-based organizations and public libraries will now
be able to provide clients access to these databases, so that
individuals may research for themselves information about
AIDS and possible therapies, without undue expense. The basic
requirement is inexpensive software that can be used by
anyone with a computer and modem.

For now, we think that the key to organizational success, in
using research databases for the first time, is having both
high-level commitment -- that this is something management
wants to do -- plus having at least one person (staff or
volunteer) to "champion" this project and make it happen.