Everyone is welcome to visit or contact the NASA Headquarters Library. You must be a NASA Headquarters employee, detailee, contractor, intern, or retiree in order to be a registered patron. Only registered patrons can borrow books or request materials through interlibrary loan. (Note: Libraries requesting interlibrary loans from us are welcome to call us.) In addition, access to some databases or online materials may be limited to NASA HQ personnel.

Becoming a Patron

Headquarters personnel: In order to register, please complete a patron registration form. Forms are available at the Library front desk. If you are a detailee or an intern, your supervisor will need to complete the bottom half of the form. If you are a contractor, your Contracting Office Technical Representative will need to complete the bottom half of the form. To submit your registration form, please submit it in person to the library front desk. You will be asked to show your badge.

The Library’s borrowing policies are on our Get Books page.

When you register, take the opportunity for a short tour of the Library. In ten minutes you’ll learn a dozen resources and services that will help you do your job or better yourself.

Also, take the opportunity to subscribe to some of our Alert Services.

Subscribe to Alerts – News digest focused on topics of importance to NASA HQ personnel

Tours and Demonstrations – Library tours are tailored to the individual’s or group’s interests and needs. They encompass a walking tour of the Library, a description of the Library’s resources, models, & displays, and a summary of the Library’s services, policies & procedures. Tours are given on request and usually take 10-15 minutes. Appointments are preferred but not necessary.

Renew Books

Registered library patrons can renew books by calling the library (202-358-0168), visiting the library, or sending an email. If you receive an emailed overdue notice, simply reply to it. If you’ve had the book for less than year and no one has placed a hold on it, it will be renewed for another four weeks if it is a book or foreign language tape and another two weeks if it is a book on tape or a video.

If you want to renew an interlibrary loan book, please contact the library before the book is due. If we can’t renew it, we’ll try to borrow another copy for you.

Place a Hold

Registered library patrons can place holds on books found in NASA GALAXIE at Headquarters by calling the library (202-358-0168), visiting the library, or sending an email. When the current borrower returns the book, the library will call you and hold the book at the front desk.

If you need the book immediately, please let us know and we will try to retrieve it from the current borrower as soon as possible.

Suggest a Purchase

Library patrons can suggest the library purchase books, videos, audios, documents, and journals by calling the library (202-358-0168), visiting the library, or sending an email. Suggestions are considered based on the library’s collection development policy and availability of funds.

If you are a registered library patron and the materials are purchased, you will be notified when they arrive and they will be held at the front desk for you.

Everyone is welcome to visit or contact the NASA Headquarters Library. You must be a NASA Headquarters employee, detailee, contractor, intern, or retiree in order to be a registered patron. Only registered patrons can borrow books or request materials through interlibrary loan. (Note: Libraries requesting interlibrary loans from us are welcome to call us.) In addition, access to some databases or online materials may be limited to NASA HQ personnel.