The Wolfson Reading Room

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.

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.

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.

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.

Internet access is available via our public access computers in the Wolfson Reading Room and through our wireless network.

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.

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For all unpublished materials, e.g. documents, photographs, microfilms, an Unpublished Material Form has to be filled out prior to copying the material, stating that the copies are for private research only.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

*Purchase of a Wiener Holocaust Library USB stick (1GB) £4

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.

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.