In response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, dozens of community-based organizations in New York City and the surrounding areas have been established to deliver services to people living with HIV/AIDS and to their loved ones.   The New York Academy of Medicine Library responded to the HIV/AIDS epidemic by serving as a primary source of information to community-based organizations.  Subsequently, the HIV/AIDS Information Outreach Project of The New York Academy of Medicine Library was formally created in 1994 with grants from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and AT&T, with additional funding from the Academy and Citibank to assist these NYC-area CBOs in providing vital services.  The Outreach Project was designed as a means of putting community based AIDS organizations in touch with an extensive medical research collection. It is founded on the premise that information will support and strengthen those people affected by HIV/AIDS and those who work to provide for their needs.

The New York Academy of Medicine is dedicated to enhancing the health of the public and, in particular, to addressing issues in urban health. The Academy is a leader in the field of Public Health, and an independent voice to advance the well being of all people. With over 800,000 volumes and 1,400 journals, it is one of the largest medical libraries in the world, and is the only medical research library in New York that is open to the general public. The Academy Library maintains strong and important collections in areas associated with HIV/AIDS and has staff with expertise in HIV information resources. Since its inception, the information services and technical support have been provided through the New York Academy of Medicine Library, and staffed largely by the Academy’s librarians.

The HIV/AIDS Information Outreach Project participating organizations are all located in the New York metropolitan area. Basic services include research and document delivery as well as borrowing privileges for materials in the Academy Library collection. The Academy Library continues to work with participating organizations to find new and better ways of meeting their information needs.

Please contact us for further information.