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DOT

U.S. Department of Transportation Library
400 7th St. SW, Room 2200
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-0746

 

  1. Where is the library? The library is located in Washington, D.C. See the library location for the address.
  2. When is the library open? The library is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
  3. Are members of the general public allowed to use the library? Yes, anyone may use the library. You will need a valid picture ID to enter the library and are encouraged to call ahead.
  4. What services are available to the general public? Anyone can search our online catalog for library materials located in the library, and may use these materials in the library. In addition the Online Digital Special Collections contains database of historical transportation documents..
  5. May I borrow a book from the library? DOT employees other than those from DOT-FAA may borrow circulating library materials. If you are a DOT-FAA employee and would like to borrow an item from the library, contact the FAA Library at 202-267-3113 to arrange for a possible inter-library loans (ILLs). If you are not a DOT employee and you would like to borrow an item you may contact your local library to arrange for a possible ILL.
  6. May I make photocopies of library materials? Yes.
  7. What newspapers, magazines, and journals does the library subscribe to? The library has over 1000 periodicals. Please consult our periodical list (currently not available while being updated) for titles. Periodical titles and holdings information can also be found in our online catalog.
  8. Where can I obtain public laws? The law library maintains a collection of both current and historical public laws. Public laws originating in the 93rd Congress and later can be found at the Library of Congress's Thomas website. The Bill Summary & Status for bills from the 93rd Congress forward can also be found at this site.
  9. Which titles of the Code of Federal Regulations deal with transportation?Title 14 (Aeronautics and Space), Title 23 (Highways), Title 33 (Navigation and Navigable Waters), Title 46 (Shipping), and Title 49 (Transportation).
  10. Which titles of the U.S. Code deal with transportation?Title 14 (Coast Guard), Title 23 (Highways), Title 45 (Railroads), Title 46 (Shipping), and Title 49 (Transportation (includes aviation)).
  11. Where can I obtain the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)? The law library maintains a current set of the CFR. A searchable copy of the current set of CFRs can also be found in the G.P.O. Access.
  12. Where can I obtain the United States Code? The law library maintains current and historical versions of the United States Code. A searchable version of the U.S. Code can be found in the G.P.O. Access.
  13. Does the library maintain a collection of legislative histories? The law library maintains legislative histories dealing with transportation, aviation, procurement and government employees. These legislative histories usually contain the public law, house report, senate report, conference report and any hearing held on the bill. In some cases the bill itself is also included. In addition to these legislative histories, the law library also holds the United States Code Congressional and Administrative News. The library also maintains a separate collection of bound congressional hearings, reports, documents and bills from the current Congress.

    Aviation-related questions

  14. Does the DOT Library have a copy of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958? Yes. Although the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 was repealed by the recodification of Title 49, United States Code (P.L. 103-272), most of the language of this act was retained. This language can now be found in Subtitle VII--Aviation Programs of Title 49, United States Code. The House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure publishes a COMPILATION OF SELECTED AVIATION LAWS (ISBN 0-16-047164-8). It is usually published the first session of each Congress. This publication can be obtained through the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954, (202) 512-1800.
  15. Where can I obtain a copy of Federal Aviation Regulations? A current set arranged by Part number is available for reference use at the FAA technical library. You can also access the FAA's official website at http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFAR.nsf/MainFrame?OpenFrameSet for the Federal Aviation Regulations. Advisory Circular 00-44HH, the Status of Federal Aviation Regulations, describes how to purchase the various FAR Parts from the U.S. Government Printing Office. This Advisory Circular is available free of charge from the DOT Publications Warehouse (Fax: (301) 386-5394). The Federal Aviation Regulations are first published in the Federal Register and later appear in annual editions of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The CFR version does not include preamble pages. The FAA law location (Room 924) maintains a historical set of CFRs as well as the Federal Register.
  16. Where do I get FAA Advisory Circulars? The Advisory Circular Checklist (AC 00-2.10) describes the various parts that are available free from the DOT Warehouse (Fax: (301) 386-5394) or for sale from the U.S. Government Printing Office. The FAA technical library, maintains historical files as well as current Advisory Circulars.  Advisory Circulars are also available for viewing on the CD-ROM Directory.
  17. How do I obtain copies of FAA Specifications and Standards? The FAA Documentation Control Center houses those issued by the Headquarters units. The DCC is located at 1250 Maryland Ave., S.W., Room 7N200, Washington, D.C. 20024. The phone number is (202) 651-2392 and fax number is (202) 484-1257.  In addition, the FAA technical library maintains a set of FAA Specifications and Standards that have been revised, updated, or changed since 1994 on CD-ROM from which limited reproduction can be done.  They are also available from the DOT Online Publications website at http://isddc.dot.gov/.   The FAA maintains a Specifications and Standards web site at http://ato-p.se-apps.faa.gov/faastandards/.
  18. How do I get a copy of an FAA order? Print copies of FAA Headquarters orders are available from the DOT Publications Warehouse (Fax: (301) 386-5394; phone: (301) 322-4961). FAA contractors should contact the FAA Documentation Control Center for print or microfiche copies (1250 Maryland Ave., S.W. Room 7N200, Washington, D.C. 20024; phone: (202) 651-2392; fax (202) 484-1257). The FAA technical library also has a CD-ROM set of post-1994 FAA orders from which limited reproduction may be done.  For FAA Directives (Orders) published prior to August 1999, contact http://isddc.dot.gov/.
  19. Where can I get other FAA publications?  The FAA general publications web site is at http://www.faa.gov/library/office_publications/.