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The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is open to the public.

Location
National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20894
(301) 402-8878

• New Security Measures
• Directions and Maps
• Parking and Other Options
• Where is the History of Medicine Reading Room?
• What are the hours of the History of Medicine Reading Room?
• Things to do and see at the Library
• Things to do and see at National Institutes of Health (NIH Map)

• New Security Measures

  Before visiting NLM, please review New Security Measures for Visitors to NLM and NIH.

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• Directions and Maps

  Road Map of NLM location within the larger D.C. area
  NLM Reading Rooms and Services - Directions and Parking Information
  NIH Campus shows NLM (Building 38)

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• Parking and Other Options

  Parking at NLM (Parking Map) is extremely limited and expensive ($2/hr. in attendant lots, 25¢/10 min. at meters), and security requires inspection of all vehicles.

  • Park in Bethesda

    Public parking garages in Bethesda (Bethesda Parking Map) are reasonably priced. Lot 35 (click on Lot Number for parking rates) is a 15 minute walk from NLM. Walk north on Woodmont, cross Battery Lane and proceed ahead to Wisconsin Ave/Rockville Pike (Rte. 355). NLM is on the left, set on a small hill. Perimeter fence prohibits entry except at Center Drive.  See NIH Campus map.

  • Take Metro

    The Metro’s Medical Center stop (Red Line) is a few minutes’ walk from NLM. At the top of the Metro escalator, turn left and follow the sidewalk along the outside of the fence to Center Drive. Turn right onto Center Drive and pass through the Guard station. NLM (Bldg. 38) is the first building on the left.

  • Park Off-Campus

    Another option, though more time-consuming, is off-campus parking at Mid-Pike Plaza. Shuttle buses run from Mid-Pike Plaza to the NIH campus and stop at NLM.

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• Where is the History of Medicine Reading Room?

  At the NLM main entrance, pass through the Guard Station (picture ID required) and immediately turn right to the History of Medicine Reading Room (Map of Reading Rooms)

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• What are the hours of the History of Medicine Reading Room?

  The History of Medicine Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST) Monday thru Friday except for Federal holidays.  The last retrieval from the stacks is at 4:00 p.m.

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• Things to do and see at the Library

  • Visit the current exhibition Changing the Face of Medicine: Celebrating America’s Women Physicians to discover the many ways women have influenced and enhanced the practice of medicine.
  • Check out What’s Happening on the History of Medicine homepage.
  • Explore Objects of Art in the National Library of Medicine
  • Take some Tours
  • “Turn the pages” of Elizabeth Blackwell's A Curious Herbal, a beautifully illustrated 18th century book of medicinal plants, at the History of Medicine Reading Room’s kiosk.
  • Visit NLM Visitors Center for HDTV presentation, interactive displays, and give-aways.

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• Things to do and see at National Institutes of Health (NIH Map)

  • The DeWitt Stetten, Jr., Museum of Medical Research

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