The NVB-BMI focuses on the quality of information services. The existence of well educated and informed professionals is regarded crucial in this. Today, CHLA is a professional organization of approximately 400 individuals in the health sciences library field in Canada. The aim of SMH is to contribute to the development of library and information services in medicine and the health sciences. SMH attempts to achieve this aim by supporting the professional development of its members through courses and seminars, especially in the field of information technology.
Libraries have an important role to play in continuing education and problem-based learning.
SMH will, therefore, support activities in these fields through its meetings and courses, and through Nordic and intern ational cooperation. The Section of Biological and Medical Sciences Libraries was set up in 1978. The section's focus is one of specialized information services for users, including electronic linkages to subject oriented data and document delivery services. The European Association for Health Information and Libraries is an active professional association uniting and motivation all librarians and information officers working in medical and health science libraries in Europe. The association counts about 500 members from 25 European countries.