Our material

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. This policy is intended to preserve original materials that are rare or fragile.

Opening hours

The reading room at the Center for Jewish History is open on Mondays from 9:30am – 7:30pm, Tuesdays – Thursdays from 9:30am – 5:30pm, Fridays from 9:30am – 1:30pm, and Sundays from 11:00am - 4:00pm. All requests for Sunday usage must be received by 4:30pm on the preceding Thursday. 

The offices of the LBI are open Mondays through Thursdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm and on Fridays 9:30am - 2:00pm.

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.

Reservations

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.

Researchers who are planning to use LBI’s extensive collection of microfilms are encouraged to reserve a microfilm reader/printer in advance. To do so, please call the Center’s Public Services Desk at 917-606-8217 or email them.

Location

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.