Frequently Asked Questions
Who can visit the National Library of Education?
As part of our mission the National Library of Education welcomes members of the public to visit and utilize the collection for research. It is necessary to schedule an appointment as the National Library of Education is in a secure building. Please contact us via email at askalibrarian@ed.gov or by phone at 202-205-5015 to make an appointment.
Where is the National Library of Education?
Our address is 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington DC 20202; Lyndon Baines Johnson Building.
What are the hours at the National Library of Education?
The library is open weekdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm, except for federal holidays.
Can I search the National Library of Education's catalog?
Yes, the catalog is available for anyone to search via WorldCat at https://nationallibraryofeducation.worldcat.org/
Can members of the public borrow materials from the National Library of Education?
National Library of Education does not directly lend its materials to the general public; however, you may contact your local public library and request to borrow materials via inter-library loan.
Can I browse the collection when visiting the National Library of Education?
The National Library of Education's stacks are closed; therefore members of the public cannot browse the collection. When scheduling your visit to National Library of Education, our reference librarians will assist with identifying and making available materials to use in-house.
Does the National Library of Education have a textbook collection?
Yes, National Library of Education has a collection of historical textbooks mainly published in the 19th and 20th century. Some of the materials are available digitally via the Internet Archive and/or ERIC at https://archive.org/details/nationallibraryofeducation or https://eric.ed.gov/
Does the National Library of Education have materials published by the Department of Education?
Yes, the library collects reports and other materials produced by the Department of Education and its precursors, and education-related documents from other federal agencies or entities. Most current Department of Education publications are disseminated electronically and are available at www.ed.gov or on ERIC at https://eric.ed.gov/.
For general information about the Department of Education, please visit their FAQ at: https://www.ed.gov/answers?src=ft