National Transportation Library
Encyclopedia
The National Transportation Library (NTL) maintains and facilitates access to information necessary for transportation decision-making in government and coordinates with public and private transportation libraries and information providers to improve information sharing among the transportation community. It is currently under the administration of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics
(BTS), which is a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration
(RITA).
(TEA-21) in 1998 and merged with the Department of Transportation Library in 2008.
NTL networks with other institutions through the NTL Integrated Search system, TRIS online
, and TLCat to increase access to information and provide transportation librarians with opportunities for professional development.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics , as part of the United States Department of Transportation, compiles, analyzes, and makes accessible information on the nation's transportation systems; collects information on intermodal transportation and other areas as needed; and improves the quality and...
(BTS), which is a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration
Research and Innovative Technology Administration
The Research and Innovative Technology Administration is a unit of the United States Department of Transportation . It was created in 2005 to advance transportation science, technology, and analysis, and to improve the coordination of transportation research within the Department and throughout...
(RITA).
History
The NTL was created under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st CenturyTransportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century was enacted June 9, 1998, as Public Law 105-178. TEA-21 authorized the Federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and transit for the 6-year period 1998-2003...
(TEA-21) in 1998 and merged with the Department of Transportation Library in 2008.
Collections
The NTL serves DOT staff and the general public in both traditional and digital environments by providing access to over 200,000 print titles, 500 print periodical subscriptions, and 100 online databases. Its collections include general transportation, and surface and water transportation as well as a wide variety of special collections topics. All modes of transportation are covered within the collections, though there is an emphasis on highway, rail, maritime, and public transportation. The library also has a fast-growing digital collection and a law collection containing general legal materials and material related to transportation law.NTL networks with other institutions through the NTL Integrated Search system, TRIS online
TRIS online
The Transportation Research Information Services online is a bibliographic database funded by sponsors of the United States Transportation Research Board , primarily the USA state departments of transportation and selected US federal transportation agencies...
, and TLCat to increase access to information and provide transportation librarians with opportunities for professional development.