Visiting the LBI

Access to all archival and library materials is available only through the reading room of the Center for Jewish History. Visitors should notify the security staff at the entrance of the Center that they need a visitor pass for the reading room.

We strongly urge all researchers to contact the LBI prior to their visit to make an appointment by emailing lbaeck@lbi.cjh.org. Space in the reading room is limited and researchers with appointments are given priority. Without an appointment, neither the LBI nor the Center can guarantee the opportunity to conduct research. In addition, prior notice of the desired research material (as found in the online catalog) gives the staff the opportunity to prepare the material in advance.

The LBI is located at the Center for Jewish History on the north side of 16th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue. From the East Side, take the 4, 5, 6, N, R, or L subway to the Union Square stop and walk west one and one-half blocks. From the West Side, take the 1, 9, 2, or 3 subway to 14th Street/7th Avenue or the A, C, E to 14th Street/8th Avenue and walk north two blocks to 16th Street and then east one and one-half blocks (two and one-half from the A, C, or E). NYC transit information is available from the MTA.

The reading room at the Center for Jewish History is open Mondays through Thursdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm. All visitors are required to fill out a registration card and agree to the Center's terms for conducting research. An archivist or librarian of the LBI is present in the reading room to assist researchers.

While at the LBI, the researcher is responsible for treating LBI materials with care and returning them in good condition to a LBI staff member. If a researcher requests material that has been microfilmed, the microfilm, and not the original material, will be provided in most cases. This policy is intended to preserve original materials that are rare or fragile.

The LBI is closed on national holidays and on Jewish holidays. Please make an appointment in advance when visiting the institute, as this schedule may change without notice.

On all days on which the Leo Baeck Institute closes at 2:00pm, the Center for Jewish History is closed to the public.

2008 Holiday Schedule

Budget hotels within walking distance of the Center for Jewish History*