Reference and Information
Services Division

The Reference and Information Services Division of NLE offers reference assistance to patrons, answering questions about education statistics and other education-related issues.  The reference desk is staffed from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.  The local telephone number is: 202-205-5019.  Those outside of the Washington, D.C. area should dial:  1-800-424-1616.

The Legislative Reference Service unit provides services to U.S. employees as well as the U.S. Congress, students, and the general public. Legislative materials include education legislation histories of the U.S. Department of Education from 1867 to the present Congress.

Many reference indexes and abstracts are available on CD-ROM or online, while back issues of journals, newsletters, and newspapers are available in microfiche or hard copy, or through online services.

The NLE provides computers for CD-ROM, online and Internet access; copy machines; and microfiche and microfilm reader/printers for public use.

In addition to its reference and general publications collections; and a periodicals collection of more than 800 journals, newsletters and newspapers, the Library maintains several special collections.