Oh Institute of NLM
Sung to the Tune of "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem"
© 2004

Oh institute of NLM
Housed in a building grand,
We're filled with glee and must go see
You down in Maryland.

I'm in need of citations
Because I'm feeling sick.
Then search the MEDLINE database –
Goes back to '66.

I'll search MEDLINE through IGM
The wond'rous interface,
It's famous for its search boxes
And for "Fetch for Display."

Oh, it seems to be missing,
With blue/red/green screen views.
It was replaced with the Gateway
Which is harder to use.

I'm still in need of articles
With my new search refined.
Then try doing a PubMed search
For access to MEDLINE.

There's such a large retrieval
More than I can afford,
Don't get frustrated or lose hope;
Send some to the "Clipboard."

But what if I then need some books,
Reports or videos?
Then try searching LocatorPlus,
Our online cat'log knows.

And what about consumers?
Should they be sent away?
Just point your mouse to MedlinePlus
And cure yourself today.

Oh institute of NLM
Your services are fine,
But it looks like most everything
Is both free and online.

So there's no need to visit,
Your hallways we won't roam,
Because thanks to the Internet
We'll access you from home.

Oh Institute of NLM. FLATLINE 2010 Nov-Dec;12(11-12):e10. Reprinted from: FLATLINE 2004 Nov-Dec;6(11-12):7.