The Library is intended for in-house use by staff members of NOAO and NSO. Staff of Steward Observatory and LPL may also use the NOAO Library, although they should consult their institution's library first.
The NOAO Library is not open to the public. We suggest you contact the public library or the University of Arizona for assistance.
The NOAO Tucson Library is located in Room 140 of the Tucson headquarters building. For people with a keycard to the building, the Library is open 24 hours a day.
Books and journals are cataloged according to the Library of Congress system. The astronomy collection (QB) is located on the main floor of the Library. Science, physics and engineering texts are in the basement part of the Library.
Most observatory publications (QB4) are stored in a separate area; ask the Librarian for assistance.
The Library has an online catalog, available at http://new-pandora.tuc.noao.edu.
Most of our collection is indexed in this catalog, but some items published before 1970 may not be. To check whether or not an older item is owned by the library, look in the paper card catalog (located next to the computers on the main floor of the library).
Journals are listed in the online catalog, but very limited information is available. To ascertain if we have a certain year or volume, use the kardex file. The kardex sits on the book return box, immediately to the right of the Librarian's office door. In the kardex, titles are arranged alphabetically; however, observatory publications are often listed under the city (location) of the observatory.
Journals that we have electronic subscriptions to are listed here.
To "check out" a book, sign your name on the card in the back of the book, and drop the card in the designated wooden box (located on the shelf below the Library's "Information and News" bulletin board). Be sure to put the date on the card and, if non-NOAO, your phone number or email address, too.
Books that may not be taken from the Library are marked "Library Use Only." Note: Journals are almost always "Library Use Only"-- please copy what you need from journal volumes and return them promptly.
For NOAO users, there is an indefinite loan period for most Library items. This means that a book may be kept until it is recalled. However, users are still urged to return Library items in a prompt manner.
For non-NOAO users, we ask that you return items in a reasonable amount of time. Abuse of this courtesy may result in a loss of Library privileges.
Please remember that you are responsible for items you check out-- this may include the cost of repair or replacement
The book return is a wooden box located to the right of the Librarian's office door. Just drop your items inside!
Many items are available across the street at Steward Observatory, or at the University of Arizona. Tucson staff are eligible for library cards with the University of Arizona (see NOAO Human Resources) and are encouraged to take full advantage of their extensive book and journal collections.