The NC AHEC Digital Library (ADL) has been a critical component in the training, retention, and continuing education of North Carolina’s health workforce since its inception in 1999. On June 23, 2025, NC AHEC launched a new and improved ADL. Notably, the new ADL features a simplified and more efficient search function, called a discovery service, similar to the intuitive functionality of the Google search engine.

The ADL features a vast array of resources, including thousands of individual databases, journals, books, and research guides. In the original version, users had to search these resources individually, leading to multiple searches before the user could access the needed information. The new ADL’s discovery service allows users to search in all these resources at once. This makes searching easier, faster and more efficient; it also increases user satisfaction, as the user can be sure that all the relevant information will be presented in the search results.

In addition, the new ADL features a Publication Finder to browse journals and databases individually. Users can also create a personal profile to save their searches and bookmarks in one central place, which adds to efficiency and ease of use. The new ADL also features an entirely new interface, with an attractive, contemporary design and intuitive user experience. In addition to all the visually and experientially-apparent upgrades, the new ADL features new back-end architecture, for improved speed, security, and reliability.

Signing into the ADL has changed as well. While some North Carolina institutions will allow for single-sign-on (SSO) access, most users access the ADL through the MyAHEC portal. For that reason, users must have a MyAHEC account.

“The newly relaunched NC AHEC Digital Library represents a major improvement in the way our users interact with the thousands of resources we have in our collection,” said Sarah Kimmel, MLIS, the Director of Library Services for NC AHEC. “The new ADL makes it easier to search everything in our universe, and to keep all their searches together in the user’s profile, making the ADL an entirely new experience and learning tool.”

 About the NC AHEC Digital Library:

The AHEC Digital Library (ADL) is your portal to AHEC library services and information. The ADL ensures that all health professionals in the state have access to high-quality, curated health information , as well as to free tools and materials. Additional evidence-based resources are available through paid subscription. More information is available here: https://library.ncahec.net/about.php.