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Center for Jewish History

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Lillian Goldman Reading Room Rules & Policies

The Center for Jewish History welcomes you to the Lillian Goldman Reading Room, where you can view the expansive and diverse collections of our five partner institutions, the American Jewish Historical Society, the American Sephardi Federation, the Leo Baeck Institute, the Yeshiva University Museum, and the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. In these collections, each item represents a moment in Jewish history that must be preserved.
We need your help to ensure that the items you are handling will be available to future generations of researchers. We ask users to exercise extraordinary care in handling all materials in the Lillian Goldman Reading Room. In addition, every user is expected to abide by the following policies designed to preserve the collections. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to discuss these with our professional staff.
  • A valid picture ID must be presented at the front desk upon entering the building. A Reading Room Pass will be issued prior to admittance into the Reading Room.
  • On his/her first visit to the Lillian Goldman Reading Room, each researcher will also be required to register for a library card. Researchers may also register online prior to their first visit.
  • By specifying a Username and Password of your choosing, you will have secure access to information about your requests. You will also be able to review the list of items you have requested in the past.
Permitted in the Lillian Goldman Reading Room:
  • Pencils
  • Laptops without the cases
  • Digital cameras
Not Permitted in the Lillian Goldman Reading Room:
  • Pens
  • Bags, purses, folders, or cases of any kind
  • Strollers
  • Young children (teenagers 13 years and older are permitted, with an accompanying adult)
  • Personal books are allowed at the discretion of the reference librarians. Should you need to bring in a book of your own, see the reference staff.
  • While cell phones are permitted, they must be kept on "silent" or "vibrate".
  • Should you desire to photograph materials for research purposes, please see a reference librarian for the appropriate forms and permissions; permission to photograph is contingent upon adherence the CJH policies regarding digital photography.
  • A camera is available for short-term use by readers; please see the reference librarian for details.
  • Research materials may not be removed from the Lillian Goldman Reading Room, and must be returned directly to a staff member.
  • Archival boxes will be given to each researcher one at a time. Materials are to be used one folder at a time, keeping the folders flat on the table. The documents must be kept in order within folders, and the folders must be kept in order within the boxes. Please keep your elbows off of the documents.
  • Researchers may use 2 books OR 1 rare book at a time. Certain rare materials require appointments for viewing.
  • Researchers may be required to use white cotton gloves, page turners, or book cradles while handling certain materials. These special handling considerations are at the discretion of the reference librarians.
  • Patrons wanting to use microfilm may be required to read and sign an acknowledgment of copyright restrictions (Title 17, "Fair Use") before being permitted to use Center microfilm.
  • If microform or digitized copies of research materials are available, these will be provided rather than the originals. If you have any questions, please call (917) 606-8217.
  • Please note that some collections are subject to restrictions placed on the materials by donors, depositors, or staff.
  • Photocopies may be obtained by filling out a Photocopy Request Form. Copies are made only by staff members.
  • Photocopying services may not be possible for fragile materials. Staff reserves the right to be the final arbiter of what may be photocopied. Requests for permission to publish materials from collections must be submitted in writing.
  • About your Username and Password

    During registration, you will be asked to choose a Username and Password. You will use this Username and Password when logging on to the CJH Library Services system in the future.
    Username
    Choose anything you like, such as your name, abbreviations, or an alphanumeric code.
    Password
    Choose anything you like. We recommend that you follow good security practice and choose a password that is different from those you use to access other systems.
    Aeon will encrypt your password, so it will remain secure. Only you will know your password.

    Important Copyright Information

    WARNING CONCERNING COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS
    The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials.
    Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research". If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use", that user may be liable for copyright infringement.
    This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.
    By pressing this button you acknowledge and agree to all of the terms and conditions above. Please pay particular attention to the copyright statement and the Aeon FAQ. After reading this information, you can press the "First Time Users Click Here" button to continue.