Our entire 5,500-volume collection is listed in this database,
including all
books and
our video collections. The Library is now open for circulation. To check out library materials, please stop by our
Berkeley location to sign up for a library membership. There is a one-time library membership fee of $10.
This is to cover our administrative and materials costs for the library.
Due to space considerations, the Lehrhaus Library no longer has a circulating collection of periodicals.
The Library's hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 to 4:00. In addition, the Library is open whenever classes are in
session at Lehrhaus. Feel free to ask the front desk staffer for assistance during these hours.
The Librarian, Jessica Grist, is available from 11 am to 3 pm to Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. You can drop by if you need
help finding a book, want to know more about the Library's collections, or with any other questions.
All books are held in our library, at 2736 Bancroft Way
(between College and Piedmont) in Berkeley.
A map of the Library's location can be accessed here.
We have two video collections: the Grossman Video Collection
and the Jewish Heritage Video Collection. The Jewish Heritage
collection is open for circulation, while the Grossman Video Collection is still being processed but may be viewed on-site.
1. To begin your search, click on the "Search" tab, above.
This allows you
to search by author, subject,
keyword or title. The "Expert"
tab allows you
to add more terms to your search.
2. Do not use hyphens. If you are searching for a word or
name that
contains a hyphen, use a space where
the hyphen should
be. Instead of
"anti-Semitism" try "anti Semitism."
3. Use the Keyword search for common or broad topics,
such as "Bible,"
"Maimonides," or "Kabbalah."
The Subject search is not
always reliable.
4. Title searches must begin with the first word of the
title.
5. You can either "search" or "browse" for an item by clicking
to the right of
your search term. Use
"Browse" if you are uncertain of the
spelling of a
subject or author's last name. You will see an
alphabetical
list of
holdings.
6. To locate the call number and location of the book, click on
the title,
then scroll to the bottom
of the record. The library contains
four
collections: Main, Oversize, Reference (Library Use Only),
and Rare
(Non-Circ.). If the call number is not at the bottom of the record,
you can find
it
in the record itself.
Lehrhaus Library Frequently Asked Questions
Which classification system do you use?
We use the Library of Congress system, which is also used by
the University of California and many other academic libraries.
We do not use the Dewey Decimal system that is used by most public libraries. Our library map can help you find a book by its Library
of Congress classification. For more information about the Library of Congress system, check out their website.
What are the hours of the Lehrhaus Library?
The Library is open during regular Lehrhaus hours: Monday through Friday from 10:00 to 4:00.
How do I check out materials?
To check out materials, you must become a Library patron. Library memberships may be purchased for a one-time set up fee of $10.
You will receive a library card and unique patron barcode, and you will use this card to check out materials. Please see the front
desk staffer for Library memberships and to check out materials.
Why do you charge a fee for library use?
Using the Library on-site is still free; however, we must charge a one-time fee to those who wish to check out materials in order to
cover the cost of library cards, extra barcodes, and barcode scanners.
How long is the checkout period? Do you have fines for overdue materials?
For books, the checkout period is three weeks. The video check out period is one week.
There are fines for overdue materials: 25 cents per day for books, and $1 per day for videos. These policies are similar to those
of most public libraries.
What kinds of books do you have in your library?
Our collection is similar in distribution of content to many university libraries; we have a vast amount of nonfiction and many
scholarly works, with some fiction and "bestsellers". Mostly, the Lehrhaus Library is composed of nonfiction on Jewish subject matter.
We have large collections in Jewish history,philosophy, and religious theory. We also have sets of Bible commentaries and various translations
of the Old and New Testaments. Although our library is largely nonfiction, we have a small section of Jewish-themed fiction and novels
by Jewish authors. In addition, there are books on Jewish music and Yiddish culture. We also have an extensive Reference Section.
Why can't I check out certain videos?
We are currently preparing the Grossman Video Collection for circulation. Until then, videos from this collection may only be
viewed on-site. Please ask the front desk staffer to assist you with these videos.
Where is the "Rare" collection shelved?
The "Rare" books are not on the shelves right now. If you would like to use these books, please see the front desk staffer.
How do you price the books on the Book Sale table?
We price these books based on the prices that they are selling for in the used-book sections of Amazon and Alibris.
Prices for our book-sale books may be higher than you usually see at a used-book store because many of these books are out of print,
hard to find, or in very specialized fields.
Can I donate books to you?
Generally, no. The Lehrhaus Library has limited space to store materials, and a comprehensive collection. If you feel that the
books you wish to donate are particularly high-quality and not likely to be books that a Judaica library would already
have, please contact Lehrhaus before bringing the books. Lehrhaus Judaica is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, so we can issue tax
deductions for donations. However, we cannot guarantee that all books and videos donated will become part of the library.
Where else can I donate books?
Several institutions in the Bay Area accept donations of books. I would suggest you first contact Friends of the Berkeley Public Library.
They accept books, tapes, videos, CDs, and DVDs, in good condition. There is also a Jewish Prisoners project in Seattle that is
accepting donations of Jewish themed books. Contact Chaplain Gary Friedman at jewishprisonerservices@msn.com.
Donating magazines is a bit more problematic. Most public libraries will not accept them. There is, however, a magazine exchange rack at
the North Berkeley Public Library.
My question isn't listed here. Who can help me?
The Lehrhaus librarian, Jessica Grist, can answer your questions. Send your questions to us via e-mail (jrgrist@berkeley.edu or
info@lehrhaus.org) or by phone at (510) 845-6420 ext. 10.