Anyone is welcome to visit The Wiener Holocaust Library and study its books, documents, photographs and other materials in the Wolfson Reading Room. It is not necessary to make an appointment, but all first-time readers are required to register and obtain a user’s ticket.
In addition to our physical collections, Readers will have access to our collections via the newly refurbished Marcus Margulies Digital Reference Library, which includes two terminals for browsing and two microfilms reader stations.
For more information on how to register, what to bring along, how to find material and about general rules and regulations, see our FAQs below. Please make sure that you familiarise yourself with our collections handling guidelines before your visit.
If you have any questions, please speak to our colleagues at the Enquiry Desk or email the Collections Team.
The Library is open Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm, apart from Bank Holidays when it is closed to the public.
The Reading Room will only be open from 12 to 5pm on Monday 13 November.
FAQs
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How do I obtain a user’s ticket?
Users must show their user ticket to Library staff at the Enquiry Desk as they enter the Wolfson Reading Room.
First time visitors will need to bring one piece of photographic ID to obtain a reader’s ticket.
By applying for a user’s ticket, both Readers and Members agree to comply with the Wolfson Reading Room Rules and Regulations.
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How do I locate material?
You will need to search materials in our Collections Catalogue to locate your items.
A large collection of books is available in the Wolfson Reading Room on open access. These are marked as ‘Reading Room Open Access’ in the catalogue and there is no need to request these items.
We have created a selection of subject guides which may be useful for those beginning to navigate our collections.
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How do I request material located in the basement archives?
Documents, photographs, fragile material and rare books are stored in our basement archives and need to be requested using call slips available in the Wolfson Reading Room. Please ask staff at the Enquiry Desk for advice on how to fill in a call slip. Items requested from the basement need to be collected from the Reading Room’s Enquiry Desk.
You can request six items at once. Items will be retrieved at the following times:
- Morning call times: 10:30am, 11:30am
- Afternoon call times: 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm
- Tuesday late call times: 5:00pm, 6:00pm
Some materials are stored offsite. They are marked accordingly on the catalogue record and it takes five working days to retrieve them from our offsite storage facility. Please contact us ahead of your visit to request these items.
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What can I take into the Wolfson Reading Room?
Users can only take equipment needed for their work into the Reading Room.
All bags, coats, umbrellas, newspapers, laptop cases, camera cases, food, drink (except for bottled water) must be deposited in the lockers provided in the ground floor lift lobby.
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How can I access the internet?
Internet access is available via our public access computers in the Wolfson Reading Room and through our wireless network.
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How can I reserve a computer terminal or microfilm reader?
To reserve a terminal in the Reading Room or a Microfilm Reader machine please speak to staff at the Enquiry Desk or email the Collections Team.
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How can I make copies?
All material to be copied has to be approved by staff at the Enquiry Desk. Approval depends on physical condition, copyright and whether it is restricted. Some materials may not be copied at all.
For all unpublished materials, e.g. documents, photographs, microfilms, an Unpublished Material Form has to be filled out prior to copying the material, stating that the copies are for private research only.
There are a number of methods you can obtain copies:
- Digital book scanner
- Microfilm reader
- Digital camera/mobile phone
Digital book scanner
Due to conservation concerns, our book scanner is limited to books and periodicals only.
Microfilm readers
Material consulted on microfilm can either be printed or saved to a USB device. Users can use their own USB device or purchase a Wiener Holocaust Library USB stick (1GB) from the Enquiry Desk for £4.00.
Microfilm readers can be reserved in advance. Please speak to staff at the Enquiry Desk or email the Collections Team to reserve a machine.
Digital cameras
Use of mobile phones (on silent mode) and digital cameras (no tripod, no flash) are permitted, subject to the condition of the material. Users must provide their own device.
Copying fees
Devices Prices per page Flat fee per day Printing or copying onto USB* stick from Book Scanner and/or Microfilm Reader 10p per page £5 per day Use of personal digital camera or mobile phone 10p per page £5 per day Copying PDF copies from existing digital collections (AJR Refugee Voices, UNWCC, The Girls) via Document Delivery Service. See relevant section below Copying PDF copies from existing digital collections (Pogrom: November 1938 and Testifying to the Truth) Free via website ITS Digital Archive Free of charge. For more information, see the ITS Research Guide *Purchase of a Wiener Holocaust Library USB stick (1GB) £4
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How can I borrow books?
Only Members of the Wiener Holocaust Library may borrow books. This is just one of many benefits offered to those helping support the future of the Library. Learn more and become a member today.
Members may borrow up to six books from our lending stock for four months at a time. These can then be renewed twice either in person, by telephone or e-mail, unless an item is reserved by another reader.
Overdue books will be charged at the rate of £1 fine per week per item.
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What are my options if I cannot visit in person?
For those unable to visit us in person we offer a document delivery service where our Collections Team will provide scans on your behalf. Find out more.
See also:
COVID-19 / Temporary Reading Room Rules and Regulations
In order to ensure the safety of our staff and readers, we have made some temporary changes to our Wolfson Reading Room Rules and Regulations, and the services available.
Research / International Tracing Service (ITS)
Conducting family research? Our dedicated ITS archive researchers may be able to help.
Staff Picks / Collections Highlights
We asked our staff, trustees and friends of the Library to choose a special selection of items from our collection.
Help build the Collection / Donate your items
We can help preserve your items for posterity and ensure access for future generations.