NASA Goddard Library Materials Reportedly Removed Over Weekend

Hundreds of boxes of journals reportedly taken from library, raising concerns over historical document preservation

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Multiple sources at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) have reported that over the weekend of February 14-15, trucks arrived at the GSFC library to remove materials, with one source estimating hundreds of boxes of journals were taken. The GSFC administration claims subject matter experts were consulted, but librarians say they were not able to provide input. A NASA activist group alleges irreplaceable historical documents are being illegally purged, while a GSFC source says any materials relocated to the library at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Ohio would be a small percentage of what the GSFC library once held.

Why it matters

The GSFC library was NASA's largest research library, and its closure and the reported removal of materials have raised concerns over the preservation of historical documents and the transparency of the decision-making process. This comes amid broader criticism from Democrats in Congress over cuts at NASA and building closures at Goddard.

The details

According to the reports, trucks arrived at the GSFC library over the weekend to remove materials, with one source estimating hundreds of boxes of journals were taken. The GSFC administration claims subject matter experts were consulted to determine which materials to keep, but librarians say they were not able to consult anyone, and a second source said their request to have subject matter experts review materials in their area was denied. Librarians were reportedly tasked with preserving only about 10% of the collection.

  • On the weekend of February 14-15, 2026, trucks arrived at the GSFC library to remove materials.
  • In January 2026, the GSFC library was reported to be NASA's largest research library.

The players

Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)

A major NASA facility that houses the GSFC library, which was reportedly the largest research library at NASA.

NASA Needs Help

A NASA activist group that alleges irreplaceable historical documents are being illegally purged from the GSFC library.

NASA's Glenn Research Center (GRC)

A NASA facility in Ohio that may be receiving some of the materials relocated from the GSFC library, according to a report.

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What they’re saying

“Irreplaceable historical documents are being illegally purged.”

— NASA Needs Help, NASA activist group

“Any materials relocated to GRC would be a very small percentage of what NASA's largest library once held, noting the GRC library is not very large.”

— A News Review source at Goddard (News Review)

What’s next

Democrats in Congress have criticized the cuts at NASA and building closures at Goddard, and the legal dispute over the union agreement that required NASA to maintain the GSFC library is ongoing.

The takeaway

The reported removal of materials from the GSFC library, which was NASA's largest research library, has raised concerns over the preservation of historical documents and the transparency of the decision-making process, especially amid broader criticism over cuts and closures at NASA facilities.