Dorot Jewish Division

The Dorot Jewish Division is the home of one of the world’s great collections of Jewish Studies materials. The collection contains a comprehensive and balanced chronicle of the religious and secular history of the Jewish people in over a quarter of a million books, microforms, manuscripts, newspapers, periodicals, and ephemera from all over the world. Reference and research services are available in a dedicated Jewish studies reading room on the first floor of the Library’s landmark Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. 

The Dorot Jewish Division welcomes research questions related to the field of Jewish Studies, including Jewish history, culture, languages, literature, and the varied religious denominations within Judaism. Our reference staff provides guidance on how to access NYPL’s extensive collections, while also sharing relevant research methodologies and information literacy skills that can aid in independent research. Visiting for research? Email us in advance or schedule a consultation. Explore our online catalog, research guides and databases beforehand to make the most of your visit.

Can researchers access the collection without an appointment?
No appointment is required to use the collection, although we recommend requesting materials in advance of your visit through our Research Catalog.

Can I schedule an appointment to speak with a librarian about my research or on the best ways to get started?
Patrons are welcome to schedule a consultation with one of our librarians to discuss their research projects and to prepare for a visit to the Library. You do not need to have a consultation before your visit to the Dorot Jewish Division. 

What else do researchers need to know about accessing the collection?
The Dorot Jewish Division reading room is open for research and quiet study. Most items are stored in closed stacks and must be requested by patrons. Use the catalog to browse and request collections that may be useful to you during your visit. Some collections are stored offsite and require 2–3 days for delivery.

Who can researchers contact with further questions?
Please email us at dorotjewish@nypl.org with any additional queries,

Learn more about this division

Our staff welcomes students and instructors to explore the collections and resources at our landmark 42nd Street building. We work with instructors to design sessions that use the Library’s remarkable collections to foster creative inquiry, cultivate critical thinking, and develop information literacy skills. Learn more.

Explore more than 100 items from the collections in our online exhibition, including rare manuscripts; treasures of early book printing; materials describing the meeting of tradition and modernity in the 18th and 19th centuries; vital documents that bear witness to the tragedies of the 20th century and the resilience of Jewish communities; and items that offer insight into Jewish life in New York and the United States. Learn more.