About the Library

MAIN COLLECTIONS

There are some 5,000,000 volumes of books and periodicals in the Library's holdings, as well as many thousands of items in special collections, such as manuscripts and archives, maps, and music recordings. The online catalogue lists publications received since 1984, and some received earlier.

The collections are open to all. Many items are available for circulation. The photocopy department serves all readers and fills mail orders as well.

The Library's collections are the basis for the compilation of three bibliographical tools in Jewish studies:

• Kiryat Sefer, the quarterly bibliography of works published in Israel and of Hebraica and Judaica published throughout the world
• The annual Index of Articles on Jewish Studies
• A retrospective bibliography of books printed in Hebrew characters, now on CD-ROM, The Bibliography of the Hebrew Book 1472-1960