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NLM Reading Rooms and Services:
Obtaining a Library Card and Requesting Library Materials

The National Library of Medicine's General Collection is housed in closed stacks. Patrons do not have access to this area. Request stack items using the NLM on-line catalog LocatorPlus; library staff will retrieve the items for you to pick up at the Circulation Desk. You can receive up to 50 items per day from the Library's closed stacks (see information on exceptions to this limit).

A library card is necessary for requesting and obtaining materials from the closed stacks. It can also be used as a debit card when making photocopies.

Getting a Library Card
Requesting Materials


Register for a Library Card

Note: you can now register at any workstation.

Request and Pick Up Library Materials

NLM Reading Rooms

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Last reviewed: 20 March 2007
Last updated: 20 March 2007
First published: 01 October 2003
Metadata| Permanence level: Permanence Not Guaranteed