NOAA Central Library

NOAA Central Library is a specialized scientific archive in Silver Spring focused on environmental and atmospheric research materials. It maintains collections of scientific journals and digital resources alongside extensive records of meteorological observations and data.

The library was established in 1970 when three federal agencies merged their research collections into one institution. This consolidation brought together decades of scientific materials from weather, coastal, and fisheries research.

The photograph collection captures meteorological phenomena and scientific expeditions, showing how weather observation and atmospheric study developed over time. These images reveal how researchers documented their discoveries across different eras and regions.

The facility requires advance contact to arrange access to its collections and plan a visit appropriately. Visitors should come prepared with specific questions about the materials they want to research.

The archive preserves rare microfilm records of surface weather observations from the United States and Japan that are difficult to access elsewhere. These data come from decades of international weather station networks and collaborative meteorological work.

Location: Montgomery County

Inception: 1970

Address: 1315 East-West Highway, SSMC3, 2nd Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Phone: +13017132600;ext=157

Email: library.reference@noaa.gov

Website: https://library.noaa.gov

GPS coordinates: 38.99242,-77.03049

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:22