The Special Collections Reading Hall
The Ilona and Hugo Lowy Special Collections Reading Hall (found on level -3) is meant for viewing rare items and archival materials as well as special collections such as the collection of photographed/micfrofilmed Hebrew manuscripts, the Music Collection and the Cartographic Collection. In order to view rare items or archival materials you must first obtain proper approval. It is also possible to book a consultation session in the reading hall, pertaining to the relevant fields.
The Rare Items Collection
Among the rare items preserved at the Library are early printed books from the 15th to 17th centuries, special publications of which only limited examples remain, editions that were published in small quantities, and so forth. In addition, the Rare Items Collection includes some 11,000 Hebrew manuscripts and around 2,000 manuscripts written in other languages. Most of these are in Arabic but there is also a smaller number of Latin manuscripts and a few additional texts in Samaritan, Syriac, Armenian, Ge'ez and other languages.
Our collection includes many manuscripts donated by Abraham Shalom Yahuda (including the Isaac Newton Collection and a rich collection of Arabic texts), incunabula from the Schocken Collection, rare Hebrew books from the Mehlmann Collection, printed works on the topics of medicine and science from the Friedenwald Collection, the Eran Laor Cartographic Collection and many more.
The Archives Department and the Music Collection
The Library preserves hundreds of archives of individuals and institutions that were compiled over many years and which hold great historical and cultural value. They are handled by our Archives Department which registers and catalogs them. The archives of thousands of Jewish communities and organizations are preserved at The Central Archives for the History of the Jewish People. These can also be viewed in the Special Collections Reading Hall. Another rich collection is the Music Collection at the National Library of Israel. Archives that have a connection to the field of music can also be ordered here.
The Institute of Microfilmed Hebrew Manuscripts
The Institute of Microfilmed Hebrew Manuscripts collects copies of all Hebrew manuscripts which exist in public and private collections in Israel and around the world. This collection is primarily preserved in microfilm form. These microfilms can be ordered to the Special Collections Reading Hall. There is no need for special approval to view this material but it does need to be ordered ahead of time. Today there are over 76,000 microfilm reels, which comprise over 90% of the known Hebrew manuscripts in the world and which can be freely viewed by scholars and other visitors. Thousands of manuscripts have also been digitally scanned. Most of these can be viewed online, although a minority are only viewable from within the NLI building.
The Hebrew Palaeography Project
Alongside the Manuscripts Department and the Institute of Microfilmed Hebrew Manuscripts, the Hebrew Palaeography Project conducted codicological and palaeographic research relating to medieval Hebrew manuscripts. The NLI offers scholars and others visitors unique services which can be helpful in the study and comparison of different Hebrew manuscripts, with the help of the Sfardata database.
Digitization and Photocopying Services
Most manuscripts can today be viewed on our website in digital form. You can also view our unique manuscript collection on the Ktiv website. In compliance with terms of use restrictions, some of the digital scans can only be viewed online from within the NLI building, while others can be viewed remotely from anywhere in the world.
In addition, manuscripts can be scanned in compliance with our scanning regulations. A scan of a manuscript can also be ordered.
Important: Scanning permission must be obtained from the library that owns the original manuscript,
The cost of scanning from microfilm is 2 NIS per image.
The reading hall contains a self-service photocopying and scanning station and there is also a special scanner available for rare and archival items. It is also possible to take your own photos. All this is done under supervision and after receiving approval from the desk attendant, in order to preserve the state of the item.
Reading Hall Guidelines
Viewing rare and archival items requires special approval.
For guidelines on ordering rare items
For guidelines on ordering archival items
Due to the importance of the items brought here, the Special Collections Reading Hall is equipped with security cameras. Visitors are requested to comply with our Guidelines for Handling Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Reading Hall Opening Hours
Sunday-Thursday: 9 am – 6 pm
Rare books: 9 am – 3:45 pm
Rare books can be collected until 3 pm.
Other Library services will be provided up to 15 minutes before closing time.
The reading room is closed on Fridays.
The Special Collections Reading Hall is found on level -3 (under the main reading hall).
Telephone for questions and enquiries: 074-7336266, 074-7336480.
For questions about microfilmed/photographed Hebrew manuscripts: [email protected]
For questions about archives: [email protected]
Dr. Alexander Gordin is in charge of the reading hall and is the coordinator of public services for our special collections.