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The Trump administration has reportedly closed down NASA’s largest research library
The Goddard Space Flight Center Library in Greenbelt, Md. shut down on Friday, according to a new report by The New York Times
The closure of the library is reportedly part of the Trump administration’s reorganization project that includes 13 buildings being closed down by March 2026
NASA’s largest research library is reportedly closing its doors.
The Trump administration is closing down the Goddard Space Flight Center Library in Greenbelt, Md., according to a new report by The New York Times, published Thursday, Jan. 1.
NASA spokesperson Jacob Richmond told the outlet that, over the next couple of months, NASA would review the material in the library to decide which would be stored in a government warehouse, The New York Times reported.
“This process is an established method that is used by federal agencies to properly dispose of federally owned property,” Richmond said.
The closure of the library is reportedly part of the Trump administration’s reorganization project that includes 13 buildings being closed down by March 2026.
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The main entrance is seen at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Over 100 science and engineering laboratories at the campus are also facing closures. PEOPLE has reached out to the Goddard Space Flight Center and NASA for comment.
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ASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland
“This is a consolidation not a closure,” NASA spokeswoman Bethany Stevens told the Times.
She also explained to the outlet that the reorganization had been planned before Trump became president.
Stevens added that the closures would enable NASA to save $10 million a year and a further $63.8 million in deferred maintenance.
“Goddard is NASA’s premiere space flight complex and home to the nation’s largest organization of scientists, engineers and technologists who build spacecraft, instruments and new technology to study Earth, the Sun, our solar system, and the universe,” per the NASA website.
Goddard’s federal workers and private contractors were also reduced from over 10,000 to 6600 following budget cuts, buyouts and early retirements earlier this year.
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A plan in 2022 called for the removal of buildings at Goddard as well as the construction of new ones, The New York Times.
Sevens told the outlet that the facilities were being shut due to being outdated and unsafe.
“The Trump Administration has spent the last year attacking NASA Goddard and its work force and threatening our efforts to explore space, deepen our understanding of Earth and spur technological advancements that make our economy stronger and nation safer,” Senator Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland told the outlet. “These reports of closures at Goddard are deeply concerning — I will continue to push back on any actions that impact Goddard’s critical mission.”
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