The National Library of Medicine is giving its users, collaborators and advisers a say in planning the future of the world’s largest medical library.

A symposium, “The National Library of Medicine, 1984-2014: Voyaging to the Future,” will be held May 14, 2014, from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. in the Natcher Center on the National Institutes of Health campus. The event is co-sponsored by the Board of Regents of the National Library of Medicine; the Friends of the National Library of Medicine; and the Medical Library Association.

The symposium will reflect on the successes and setbacks during the past 30 years and consider opportunities for the future.  In conjunction with the event, the library is collecting written recollections and images highlighting the impact the library has had over the last 30 years, as well as ideas for future opportunities. The event and the blog are a prelude to the library’s next long range planning effort, which starts in 2015.

The symposium is free and open to the public, but does require registration. To register and view a preliminary program, please visit http://www.fnlm.org/Events_2014Symposium/2014Symposium.html. The event also will be videocast live and later archived.

People who have advised and worked with NLM and/or benefited from its programs and services are invited to share reflections on the past and ideas for the future on a moderated blog. The Voyaging to the Future blog can be accessed starting May 1, 2014.