Greenbelt, Maryland – NASA today permanently closed its largest research library at the Goddard Space Flight Center, a move that scientists fear could lead to the irreversible loss of tens of thousands of historic space records. The library, located in Building 21, has served generations of researchers since 1959, supporting landmark missions like the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes. The closure is part of a broader campus restructuring plan by the agency.[latestly+2]
Modernization Drive and Cost Savings
NASA officials state the closure is a consolidation, not a permanent shutdown of services. Agency spokeswoman Bethany Stevens told the New York Times, “This is a consolidation, not a closure.” She said the move will save $10 million annually and prevent $63.8 million in deferred maintenance costs. The closure is part of a sweeping campus reorganization plan. This plan aims to vacate or demolish 13 buildings and more than 100 laboratories by March 2026. NASAleadership says the reorganization began before the Trump administration took office, even though some reports link it to the current administration's initiatives.[irishstar+13]
NASA spokesman Jacob Richmond confirmed the agency will review the library's vast holdings over the next 60 days. Somematerials will go into a government warehouse, while other items deemed unnecessary will be discarded. Richmond stated, "This process is an established method that is used by federal agencies to properly dispose of federally owned property."[news+10]
Scientists Warn of Irreversible Loss
However, many scientists express deep concern over the fate of the physical collection. They fear the loss of institutional memory and unique historical documents. The library houses tens of thousands of books, scientific journals, and rare aerospace documents dating back to the early 20th century. Up to 100,000 volumes are at risk of being discarded. Manyof these materials are not digitized and are not available elsewhere.[latestly+3]
Dr.Dave Williams, a former Goddard planetary scientist who spent decades curating mission data, highlighted the irreplaceable nature of some items. He said the library holds Soviet-era rocket texts and Apollo-era experiment records "you can't just get online". Dr. Williams fears NASA is "erasing its own memory" by closing the library. He warned this could risk "human error" and lead to repeating past mistakes on future missions. Atmospheric scientist Santiago Gassó also reported using the library for his studies.[irishstar+8]
Concerns are particularly high because the Space Science Data Coordinated Archive has been offline for several months. This raises further worries about the loss of scientific memory. Researchers argue that digital access alone cannot replace the depth and collaborative value of a physical research library.[en+2]
Impact on Research and Collaboration
The closure of the Goddard library significantly reduces NASA's network of physical libraries. Once this facility closes, only three physical NASA libraries will remain operational across the country. These are located at Ames, Glenn, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This diminished network capacity limits access to essential technical materials for research and mission planning.[latestly+2]
The library building, Building 21, also served as an informal collaborative space for scientists and engineers. Its permanent closure eliminates this important hub for exchanging ideas. Lawmakers have also voiced strong objections to the closures. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen called the decision "deeply concerning" and part of a "broader pattern of cuts" targeting the facility and its workforce. Representative Zoe Lofgren warned that these accelerated closures and staff reductions "risk causing significant delays for multi-billion-dollar missions under development". The Goddard Space Flight Center is the nation's first spaceflight complex and has played a central role in space exploration history.[en+6]
Future of NASA's Scientific Heritage
As NASA pushes for modernization, the closure of its largest research library highlights a critical tension between digital transformation and the preservation of tangible historical records. While digital platforms like the NASA Technical Reports Server offer extensive online resources, scientists emphasize the unique value of physical archives. The coming months will determine the ultimate fate of tens of thousands of irreplaceable documents. This decision will have long-term implications for how NASA preserves its scientific heritage and supports future space exploration efforts.[latestly]
