FOIA Documents: NASA emails on the Goddard library closure
The final FOIA release from NASA, comprising emails of three officials involved in the Goddard library closure.
This page hosts records released under the Freedom of Information Act concerning the closure of the research library at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and the disposition of its collection.
NASA released the records to Urgent Matter on September 22, 2026, as its final response to a FOIA request. The release follows interim responses in June and July.
Most of the release consists of emails from the accounts of three officials involved in the closure: Marlo Maddox and Patrick Lynch at Goddard and Gary Willis, the headquarters program manager who oversaw the assessment of the collection.
The emails include exchanges from December 2025 on halting in-person library services, setting the January 2 closure date and funding the disposal of books through the General Services Administration. They include a December 31 question from NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman about the review process and the communications office's reply.
The release also includes records of NASA's response to press inquiries from The New York Times, NPR, CBS News, Library Journal and the Greenbelt News Review, among others. That includes Goddard's request that the Times correct its story, and the paper's reply.
Other emails document a draft letter from the Goddard Ad Hoc Library Advisory Committee and offers to take the collection from libraries, universities and research institutions. They also show outreach from NASA's agency records officer and National Archives staff.
The release includes Code 600 technical-space status decks from October and November 2025 and consolidation briefings dated February 2026.
NASA released 197 pages in full and 273 pages in part, and marked 16 pages as duplicates. The agency withheld portions under FOIA exemptions covering draft messages, personal information, information technology and security details, and information NASA said could endanger individuals.
Read the story: NASA administrator questioned Goddard library review, emails show
NASA boss questioned Goddard library review, emails show
Two weeks earlier, a Goddard official learned the GSA needed no manifest for the books NASA was giving up.
Adam Schrader
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