Plan a visit to the AJA
The renovated Barrows-Loebelson Family Reading Room at the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives (AJA) opened in the spring of 2004.
Located in the former Bernheim Library, the first home of the Hebrew Union College Library on its Clifton campus, the 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 reading room is the public gateway to the vast resources of the American Jewish Archives. When coming to the reading room, researchers are assisted by The Marcus Center’s professional archival staff and have access to the amenities of this wonderful facility.
We strongly encourage prospective researchers to write, call, or e-mail the Marcus Center staff in advance of any visit to determine whether the AJA contains material relevant to their topic. We will check our holdings and provide an assessment of the quantity and composition of any applicable documents.
Once researchers arrive, they will be asked to complete a research application form and to furnish identification. An archivist will meet with the researcher to explain our collection as well as the AJA's procedures and services.
Benefactors of the Barrows-Loebelson Family Reading Room
Dr. Emil Barrows (1913-1994), noted Cincinnati physician, and his wife Winnie (1919-2008), were beloved friends of Dr. Jacob Rader Marcus and longtime supporters of the American Jewish Archives. To honor his memory, Winnie Barrows and her 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.