About the U.S. National Library of Medicine

Introduction

The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), is a component of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. It is the world's largest library dealing with a single scientific/professional topic. It cares for over 5.0 million holdings (including books, journal, reports, manuscripts and audio-visual items). The NLM offers extensive on-line information services (dealing with clinical care, toxicology and environmental health, and basic biomedical research), has several active research and development components (including an extramural grants program), houses an extensive History of Medicine collection, and provides several programs designed to improve the nation's medical library system.

NLM Address, Telephone, & Hours

Address:
The National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda MD 20894 USA
Telephone:
800-272-4787
301-496-6308
Public Reading Room Hours:
Hours (Main Reading Room): Labor Day to Memorial Day
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 A.M. -- 5:00 P.M.
Thursday: 8:30 A.M. -- 9:00 P.M. (Reference assistance is available until 7:00 P.M.)
Saturday: 8:30 A.M. -- 12:30 P.M.
Sunday -- Closed
Hours (Main Reading Room): Memorial Day to Labor Day
Monday - Friday: 8:30 A.M. -- 5:00 P.M.
Saturday: 8:30 A.M. -- 12:30 P.M.
Sunday -- Closed
Hours (History of Medicine Reading Room):
Monday -- Friday: 8:30 A.M. -- 5:00 P.M.
The Library is closed for Federal holidays and the Saturday preceding a Monday holiday.
Building Hours for Visitors:
Monday - Friday: 6:00 A.M. -- 6:00 P.M.
Tours:
Monday -- Friday: 1:00 P.M.
Visitors Center (Lobby of Building 38A -- The Lister Hill Center).
Call 301-496-6308 or write to the Public Information Office to make arrangements for groups.
For Information About Special Hours and Emergency Closings:
Call 800-272-4787 or 301-496-6095, select 1-1-2.