NOAA employees have full access to the library's e-resources and physical holdings.

Visiting scientists, contracted labor, and other NOAA affiliates can gain access through their federal supervisor.

The library is open from 8:30 am through 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and is closed on federal holidays.

The library subscribes to over one thousand peer-reviewed journals in print and electronic formats,[3] and is the official repository of all NOAA publications.

The library maintains an online photo collection of over 30,000 images taken by NOAA staff.