NLM Reading Rooms and Services - Directions and Parking Information

Contents Please Note : There is limited paid visitor parking at NLM and on the NIH campus. All visitors are encouraged to use public transportation. If driving, visitors are encouraged to park by the NIH Gateway entrance and walk or take a campus shuttle bus to NLM. The NIH Gateway parking, MLP-11 is open Monday thorugh Friday 6am - 9pm (entrance), 6am - 11pm (exit). On weekends, visitors can park in lots on the NIH campus after vehicle inspection. General Information Public Transportation to NIH/NLM Driving to NIH/NLM from: Baltimore Frederick Virginia D.C. Parking Getting to NLM from parking at Gateway (MLP-11) Taxi Train Plane General Information NLM Address: National Library of Medicine 8600 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20894 The National Library of Medicine is located approximately five miles from the District of Columbia in Bethesda, Maryland. The NLM (Building 38) and the Lister Hill Center (Building 38A) are at the southeast corner of the campus of the National Institutes of Health. The NIH, like all Federal Government facilities, has instituted safety and security measures. Visitors must enter the campus through the central location for registering and orienting visitors (the NIH Gateway Center) and show one (1) form of identification (a government-issued photo ID--driver's license, passport, green card, etc.); visitors should continue to wear their identification prominently at all times while on campus. The NIH Gateway Center is accessed from NIH Gateway Drive and is near the exit of the Metro system's Medical Center stop. All visitors are encouraged to use Metro or other public transportation if at all possible. Parking for visitors is always in short supply at NIH, especially during conferences, and parking regulations are strictly enforced with tickets and tow trucks. Several NLM divisions are off-campus. They are the Specialized Information Service (SIS) and Extramural Programs (EP). See SIS directions and EP map for off-campus locations. Additional NIH and NLM information is available from the following pages: NIH Visitor Map NLM Visitor and Researcher Information Disclaimer regarding external links/endorsement Back to the top Taking Public Transportation to NIH/NLM The NIH visitor entrance, the Gateway Center (66) is located on South Drive by the Medical Center stop served by the: Metro rail (Red Line): Metro fares and schedules Buses: Metrobus and Montgomery County Ride On Buses. Upon exiting the Metro or bus, visitors enter the Gateway Center (66) for security inspection, and receive visitor passes, then head to NLM by walking or taking the "NIH Limited Campus" shuttle bus. See below how to get to NLM from the Gateway Center via pedestrian path or campus shuttle bus: Walking to NLM from the Gateway Center (66) approximately 10-15 minutes: After obtaining a visitor pass, take the stairs (on the left) or the elevator to the second level. Exit through the glass doors, turn left and follow the pedestrian path on the left. Pass the Child Care Center on your left and walk through the parking and head down the hill to Center Drive. To go to the Library's reading rooms or exhibition, cross Center Drive and head toward the flag pole and enter the building (Bldg. 38) on the right; or To go to the Visitor Center or auditorium, turn right and walk along Center Drive then cross Center Drive and walk onto Medlars Drive that leads straight to Lister Hill Center (Bldg. 38A). Taking NIH shuttle bus to NLM: After obtaining a visitor pass, proceed down a ramp on the right and exit the Center. Take the "NIH Limited Campus" shuttle bus at the bus shelter on the circular drive. To go to the Library's reading rooms and exhibition, take the bus to the first stop, Natcher/Bldg. 45, cross Center Drive, turn left and walk along Center Drive toward Rockville Pike, then turn right toward the flag pole in front of the Library entrance (Bldg. 38) To go to the Visitor Center or auditorium, take the bus to the second stop at Lister Hill Center (Bldg. 38A). Back to the top

Printable Map (PDF)

Directions from Baltimore:

1. Take I-695 to I-95 (South) to I-495 (West) toward Silver Spring.
2. Take Exit 34, Route 355 to Rockville.
3. Stay in the exit lane and follow the signs to Route 355 South (Bethesda), also known as Rockville Pike/Wisconsin Avenue.
4. Continue south on Rockville Pike about 2 miles.
5. After passing South Drive, turn right at NIH Gateway Drive.
6. Keep right towards the circle:
   1. To park by the NIH Gateway entrance, see Getting to NLM from MLP-11 parking or
   2. To park at the NLM, use two right lanes to circle into the Gateway Inspection Station (66A) for security inspection. (Go to #7)
7. Upon completing the personal and vehicle inspection, receive a visitor badge for each person and an inspection certificate for the vehicle. Place them prominently while on the NIH campus.
8. Exiting the inspection area, proceed ahead and follow the road to Center Drive.
9. Turn right on Center Drive then immediately turn left onto the NLM driveway and parking area with the flag pole.
10. Metered visitor parking spaces are on the left, and handicapped parking spaces are available near the Library (38) and Lister Hill Center (38A) as shown on the map on the right.
11. After parking, follow the information below to reach the Library's reading rooms, exhibition, Visitor Center, or auditorium:
    1. To reach the reading rooms and exhibition, enter the Library (38) through the entrance near the flag pole; or
    2. To get to the Visitor Center and auditorium, located in the Lister Hill Center (38A) behind the Library (38), walk along Center Drive passing an employee parking lot on your left, then turn left onto the sidewalk that leads to the Lister Hill Center.

Back to the top

Directions from Frederick:

1. Take I-270 (South) toward Washington to I-495.
2. Follow I-495 and take Exit 34 for Route 355 South (Bethesda) onto Rockville Pike/Wisconsin Avenue.
3. Continue south on Rockville Pike about 2 miles
4. Pass South Drive then turn right at NIH Gateway Drive
5. Keep right towards the circle:
   1. To park by the NIH Gateway entrance, see Getting to NLM from MLP-11 parking or
   2. To park at the NLM, use two right lanes to circle into the Gateway Inspection Station (66A) for security inspection. (Go to #6)
6. Upon completing the personal and vehicle inspection, receive a visitor badge for each person and an inspection certificate for the vehicle. Place them prominently while on the NIH campus.
7. Exiting the inspection area, proceed ahead and follow the road to Center Drive.
8. Turn right on Center Drive then immediately turn left onto the NLM driveway and parking area with the flag pole.
9. Metered visitor parking spaces are on the left, and handicapped parking spaces are available near the Library (38) and Lister Hill Center (38A) as shown on the map on the right.
10. After parking, follow the information below to reach the Library's reading rooms, exhibition, Visitor Center, or auditorium:
    1. To reach the reading rooms and exhibition, enter the Library (38) through the entrance near the flag pole; or
11. To get to the Visitor Center and auditorium, located in the Lister Hill Center (38A) behind the Library (38), walk along Center Drive passing an employee parking lot on your left, then turn left onto the sidewalk that leads to the Lister Hill Center.

Back to the top

Directions from Virginia:

1. Take I-95 North to I-495.
2. Proceed on I-495 in the direction marked "Tyson's Corner" (West).
3. Take the exit for 355 South (Bethesda) onto Rockville Pike/Wisconsin Avenue.
4. Continue south on Rockville Pike about 2 miles
5. Pass South Drive then turn right on NIH Gateway Drive.
6. Keep right towards the circle:
   1. To park by the NIH Gateway entrance, see Getting to NLM from MLP-11 parking or
   2. To park at the NLM, use two right lanes to circle into the Gateway Inspection Station (66A) for security inspection. (Go to #7)
7. Upon completing the personal and vehicle inspection, receive a visitor badge for each person and an inspection certificate for the vehicle. Place them prominently while on the NIH campus.
8. Exiting the inspection area, proceed ahead and follow the road to Center Drive.
9. Turn right on Center Drive then immediately turn left onto the NLM driveway and parking area with the flag pole.
10. Metered visitor parking spaces are on the left, and handicapped parking spaces are available near the Library (38) and Lister Hill Center (38A) as shown on the map on the right.
11. After parking, follow the information below to reach the Library's reading rooms, exhibition, Visitor Center, or auditorium:
    1. To reach the reading rooms and exhibition, enter the Library (38) through the entrance near the flag pole; or
12. To get to the Visitor Center and auditorium, located in the Lister Hill Center (38A) behind the Library (38), walk along Center Drive passing an employee parking lot on your left, then turn left onto the sidewalk that leads to the Lister Hill Center.

Back to the top

Directions from DC:

1. Proceed north on Wisconsin Avenue/Rockville Pike.
2. Turn left on Old Georgetown Road.
3. Turn right on Cedar Lane.
4. Turn right on Rockville Pike.
5. Pass South Drive then turn right at NIH Gateway Drive.
6. Keep right towards the circle:
   1. To park by the NIH Gateway entrance, see Getting to NLM from MLP-11 parking or
   2. To park at the NLM, use two right lanes to circle into the Gateway Inspection Station (66A) for security inspection. (Go to #7)
7. Upon completing the personal and vehicle inspection, receive a visitor badge for each person and an inspection certificate for the vehicle. Place them prominently while on the NIH campus.
8. Exiting the inspection area, proceed ahead and follow the road to Center Drive.
9. Turn right on Center Drive then immediately turn left onto the NLM driveway and parking area with the flag pole.
10. Metered visitor parking spaces are on the left, and handicapped parking spaces are available near the Library (38) and Lister Hill Center (38A) as shown on the map on the right.
11. After parking, follow the information below to reach the Library's reading rooms, exhibition, Visitor Center, or auditorium:
    1. To reach the reading rooms and exhibition, enter the Library (38) through the entrance near the flag pole; or
12. To get to the Visitor Center and auditorium, located in the Lister Hill Center (38A) behind the Library (38), walk along Center Drive passing an employee parking lot on your left, then turn left onto the sidewalk that leads to the Lister Hill Center.

Back to the top

Parking

• Parking at Gateway: Visitors are encouraged to park at MLP-11 on NIH Gateway Drive as limited metered parking is available at the Library and on the NIH campus.
• Parking at NLM: Limited metered parking is available in front of the Library (38) facing Rockville Pike. The parking costs $.50 per 15 minutes with a maximum of $6 for 3 hours. Coins are required and a change machine is located in the lobby of the Library. Parking meters are monitored from 7 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays.
• Free handicapped parking is available in the employee lots by the Library (38) and Lister Hill Center (38A).
  • Library (38): The employee lot on the north side of the Library facing Center Drive has several handicapped parking spaces. Nearby ramp leads an entrance. From the entrance, visitors can get to the reading rooms and exhibition by taking the first left and following the hallway as it turns right and then left where you can take the elevator to the 1st floor of the Library (38).
  • Lister Hill Center (38A): The rooftop employee lot (MLP-7) provides handicapped spaces. Using the entrance to his building, visitors can find the Visitor Center and auditorium on the first floor.

Back to the top

Getting to NLM from parking at Gateway (MLP-11)

After passing the intersection of Rockville Pike and South Drive, visitors follow the directions below to park by the NIH Gateway entrance and to get to NLM:

1. When you turn onto NIH Gateway Drive, keep right, towards the circle.
2. At the circle the lane splits into 3; keep in the left lane around the circle and into the entrance to MLP-11 parking.
3. Take a parking ticket and proceed to park.
4. After parking, follow the signs to the elevator that leads to the Gateway Center (66).
5. Exiting the elevator, head left into the Gateway Center where security check is conducted and visitor passes are issued.
6. After receiving the visitor pass, follow walking or shuttle bus directions below to get to the Library (38) and Lister Hill Center (38A):

Walking to NLM from the Gateway Center (66)
approximately 10-15 minutes:

1. After obtaining a visitor pass, take the stairs (on the left) or the elevator to the second level.
2. Exit through the glass doors, turn left and follow the pedestrian path on the left.
3. Pass the Child Care Center on your left and walk through the parking lot and head down the hill to Center Drive.
4. To go to the Library's reading rooms or exhibition, cross Center Drive and head toward the flag pole and enter the building (Bldg. 38) on the right side; or
5. To go to the Visitor Center or auditorium, turn right and walk along Center Drive then cross Center Drive and walk onto Medlars Drive that leads straight to Lister Hill Center (Bldg. 38A).

Taking the NIH shuttle bus to NLM:

1. After obtaining a visitor pass, proceed down the ramp on the right and exit the Center.
2. Catch the "NIH Limited Campus" shuttle bus at the bus shelter on the circular drive.
3. To go to the Library's reading rooms and exhibition, take the bus to the first stop, Natcher/Bldg. 45, cross Center Drive, turn left and walk along Center Drive toward Rockville Pike, then turn right toward the flag pole in front of the Library entrance (Bldg. 38); or
4. To go to the Visitor Center or auditorium, take the bus to the second stop at Lister Hill Center (Bldg. 38A). Cross Center Drive and walk straight ahead toward a high-rise building that is Lister Hill Center.

Back to the top

By Taxi

Barwood Taxi

301-984-1900

Baltimore-Washington Limo

800-438-5001

Taxis must go through the security check point. Follow the car directions to the NLM. Advise the driver to stop either at the main entrance of NLM (facing Rockville Pike) or the ten-story Lister Hill Center (building 38A) adjacent to the main building (refer to map on this page).

Back to the top

By Train

The NLM/NIH is accessible by train via Washington DC's Union Station, which is on the Red Line of the Metrorail system.

Amtrak
MARC (Maryland Commuter Rail)
Virgina Rail Express

Back to the top

By Air

The NLM/NIH is accessible from any of the three major regional airports; travel time is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Dulles International Airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Back to the top

Return to NLM Reading Rooms and Services

Last reviewed: 25 August 2008
Last updated: 25 August 2008
First published: 14 November 2005
Metadata| Permanence level: Permanence Not Guaranteed

Copyright, Privacy, Accessibility
U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
National Institutes of Health, Health & Human Services