Chapter 3 – NOAA Operations – Library Services
3.8 – Library Services
The mission of the Library and Information Services Division (LISD) of the National Oceanographic Data Center is to ensure timely delivery of scientific, technical, management, and legislative information to users and to preserve NOAA’s intellectual heritage for future generations. Users include NOAA staff, other government agencies, academia, industry, and the general public. The LISD operates the NOAA Central Library in Silver Spring (2nd floor of SSMC-3), and NOAA Regional Libraries in Seattle and Miami. The LISD also staffs the Betty Petersen Memorial Library in College Park, Maryland.
The NOAA Central Library’s collections comprise books, journals, visual media, maps, and digital materials that cover the broad range of scientific disciplines and research that NOAA is involved in. The Library also provides online access to licensed and digitized content through its website (www.lib.noaa.gov). The resources include databases, e-journals, bibliographies, photos, internet guides, and digitized historical materials. The website will provides links to interlibrary loan services, reference services, specialized virtual libraries, and directions and contact information for the Library.
The NOAA Central Library is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Library welcomes visitors from the general public, but visitors must check in with security and bring photo ID. Tours of the library and special training sessions for library services and tools can also be arranged for NOAA staff and the general public. A history of the library is available at www.lib.noaa.gov/about/mission.html.
Most NOAA libraries cooperate within the NOAA Library and Information Network (NLIN). NLIN consists of more than 30 NOAA libraries located at various NOAA facilities throughout the U.S. These libraries share resources when feasible, follow common cataloging procedures, and consult with each other for access to materials and specialized knowledge. A directory of NOAA libraries is available at www.lib.noaa.gov/about/lib_network.html.
