American Jewish Archives -Visiting the AJA

The Barrows-Loebelson Family Reading Room at The American Jewish Archives.

Introduction to the Reading Room
Introduction Hours of Operation Rules & Policies Photocopying Policy Reproduction Price List Wireless & Computer Policies Visually Impaired Access Benefactors The newly renovated Barrows-Loebelson Reading Room at the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives (AJA) opened in the spring of 2004. Located in the Bernheim Library, the first home of the Hebrew Union College Library on its Clifton campus, the Barrows-Loebelson Reading Room is designed to combine the charm and intimacy of the original 1912 reading room with the conveniences of modern electronic information technology.

The Barrows-Loebelson Reading Room is the public gateway to the vast resources of the American Jewish Archives. When coming to the Barrows-Loebelson reading room, researchers are assisted by The Marcus Center’s professional archival staff and have access to the amenities of this wonderful new facility.

The faculty, staff, and students of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion - as well as researchers, genealogists, and laypersons from around the country and the world come to the Barrows-Loebelson reading room study the holdings of the American Jewish Archives.

Hours of Operation
The Barrows-Loebelson Reading Room is open from 9 am until 6 pm Monday through Thursday and from 9 am until 5 pm on Friday.

Materials from the Marcus Repository can be requested up until 5 pm Monday through Thursday and until 4 pm on Friday.

Reading Room Rules and Policies
Upon arriving at the American Jewish Archives researchers should check in with the staff member at the entryway to the Barrows-Loebelson reading room.

First time visitors will be asked to fill out an Application for Research (you can download this application and fill it out prior to coming to the AJA).
Visitors are asked to sign in everyday in the reading room log.
All belongings must be put into lockers located in the hallway near the reading room. Except for the following items:
- Paper
- Pencils
- Laptops without cases
- Books needed for research
Food, Drinks, book bags, purses etc. are not permitted in the reading room.
Talking on cell phones is not permitted in the reading room.
Research materials MUST remain in the reading room at all times.
Researchers will only have access to 3 boxes of material at a time.
Please note that some collections are restricted at the request of the donor and can not be given out to researchers.
Photocopies may be obtained by filling out a photocopy request form at the front of the Barrows-Loebelson reading room.
Requests for permission to publish materials must be obtained from the Archival Staff.
Researchers are asked to handle all items with care as many items are fragile and can be easily damaged.
Researchers wishing to utilize digital cameras to capture images must fill out a form located at the reference desk and receive permission from the Archival staff.

Reading Room Photocopying Policy and Procedures
The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives, is a not-for-profit research center. We are pleased to provide to the public free access to our vast collection of materials on the American Jewish Experience. Fees are charged for reproduction services only. These funds are used to defray direct costs and to ensure the highest stands of service to the public. The American Jewish Archives accepts payment in cash or checks made out to the American Jewish Archives or payments can be made securely online.

Price List for Reproduction Services:

Xerox/PDF, Black and White, 8.5 x 11 and 8.5 x 14	$0.25 per page
Xerox pages, Color, 8.5 x 11 and 8.5 x 14	$2.00 per page
Xerox pages, Black and White, 11 x 17	$0.40 per page
Xerox pages, Color, 11 x 17	$2.50 per page
Xerox copies from Microfilm Reader/Printer	$0.50 per page
Microfilm reel (cost of reel varies, minimum price)	$50.00
Videotape copy	$25.00
Cassette tape copy	$10.00
Slides (per slide)	$10.00
Scans-reference image, low resolution JPEGS	$5.00 per image/page
-high-resolution images – TIFF	$20.00 per image/page
-CD cost	$5.00
-Electronic delivery	no charge

Photographs

In-house, Black and White, 5 x 7 or 8 x 10	$5.00
Out of house, Black and White, 5 x 7 or 8 x 10	$40.00
In-house, Color, 5x7 or 8 x 10	$10.00
Out of house Color, 5 x 7 or 8 x 10	$40.00

Reading Room Wireless Connection and Computer Policies
Wireless and hardwire internet connectivity is provided for all researchers. Please feel free to ask for assistance in connecting. The Barrows-Loebelson reading room has one public access computer connected to the internet. Please limit use of this computer to browsing the AJA's online catalogue and website or to quick internet searches related to research.

Access for the Visually Impaired
Through the generous donation of the Rockwern Charitable Foundation, the Barrows-Loebelson reading room is equipped with software and equipment to provide greater accessibility to our materials for persons with visual impairments

Benefactors of the Barrows-Loebelson Reading Room
Dr. Emil Barrows (1913-1994), a noted Cincinnati physician, was a beloved friend of Jacob Rader Marcus and a long time supporter of the American Jewish Archives. To honor his memory, his wife, Winnie Barrows and their family provided a magnificent gift for the renovation and refurbishment of the Bernheim Library’s Reading Room. Renamed as The Barrows-Loebelson Family Reading Room, this area has been transformed into a beautiful and technologically advanced research center for study and learning.