The National Library is open to the public, seating available by advance reservation

The National Library is open to the public, seating available by advance reservation

Arriving at the Library

The Library is open to the public – you are no longer required to book your visit

Visitors are required to wear masks in all sections of the Library

Services Available at the Library Building

Reading Room Services:

• The Library is open Sunday-Thursday, 09:00-20:00, Friday 09:00-13:00. On Fridays, seating is available without reservation, on a first come, first served basis. View full opening hours

• All reading rooms are open to the public.

• Visits to the Library must be reserved ahead of time, and will be allowed on a basis of 3 or 4-hour shifts per person. We will put in place a system for reserving visits, which will allow you to register and arrive at a time which suits you.

• The amount of seating available in the Library has been adjusted to meet the requirements of the "purple badge" standard and thus has been reduced: partitions have been constructed and suitable seating has been prepared in the various reading rooms. These seats are numbered

The visit reservation system will automatically allocate you a numbered seat. All visitors will be required to sit in their allocated seats; it will not be possible to sit elsewhere.

• The public computer area adjacent to the Library entrance, as well as the one in the Music Room, will be closed. Some of the public computers in the reopened reading rooms will be available for use.

We recommend using your own personal laptop because of the limited amount of available computers. In addition, you can order a laptop at the circulation desk.

• We recommend ordering your desired books ahead of time, before you arrive at the Library for your reserved visit. Contact us if you need help or guidance.

• Some of the microfilm readers will be available for public use.

• The public printers will be available.

• Once you have finished browsing through a book, kindly return it yourself to its place on the shelf.

 

Borrowing Books to Take Home

• The circulation desk will be active for the extent of Library opening hours.

• There is no need to book a reservation to collect books to take home. Books will be collected at the circulation desk, for which there will be a separate line.

• You may return books by placing them in the return box at the Library entrance or returning them to the Circulation Desk.

• For your convenience, here is the direct telephone number of the circulation department: 074-733-6414

 

Photocopying and Scanning

• Only five people at a time will be allowed into the photocopying center in the Judaica Reading Room.

• While waiting in line to enter the photocopying center, a distance of 2 meters must be preserved between people, in accordance with the markings placed before the entrance to the room.

• Self-use photocopiers and scanners have been placed throughout the reading rooms and in the adjacent area (the Ardon Hall). Here as well, a distance of 2 meters must be preserved in accordance with the markings.

 

Hygiene and Following Health Ministry Instructions

• Cleaning services will be increased during this period.

• Disinfectant materials and wipes for disinfecting surfaces will be made available.

• Please avoid gathering in groups and follow instructions.

 

Cafeteria

The cafeteria will operate in accordance with Health Ministry rules for cafes and restaurants, serving hot and cold beverages, sandwiches and pastries (take-away only). Customers must preserve a distance of 2 meters from each other.

It will not be possible to sit at the tables in this area. Enjoy the nice spring weather and have a picnic on the grass outside :-)

 

Prayer

It will not be possible to conduct group prayers.

 

Legal Deposits

You may leave your deposits at reception, without waiting in line.

Reference Services

The reference desk on the first floor is active. All other reference desks will not be active. You can still reach us using various digital channels – including email, WhatsApp or our chat service.

Document Delivery Service

Our document delivery service is functioning as normal. You may order a scan of the material you require by filling out the relevant form on the Library website. This service is available for a fee.

Telephone Service

You can reach us by telephone during opening hours between 09:00 and 18:00 at 074-733-6400.

We are gradually returning to normal service in the hopes of restoring our full routine in the near future. Please remain patient and follow instructions, which may change from time to time.

If you have contracted the coronavirus, please notify us so that we can update those who were present at the Library during the period of your visit.

We wish you and your families good health!