HUC-JIR Library System
HUC-JIR Library System
The mission of the library system of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is to collect, preserve and provide access to the record of Jewish thought and experience throughout the ages and to related fields and disciplines. The library system has a responsibility to support the teaching and research functions of the College-Institute and a special goal to document Reform (Progressive/Liberal) Judaism. Operating through the four campus libraries, the aim is to optimize total resources with a minimum of unnecessary duplication.
Access to HUC-JIR Library Resources
HUC-JIR students, faculty, and staff may use the Single Sign On portal below to access individual library accounts and various academic databases. Visit the Jewish Studies Portal for additional primary source databases. HUC credentials are necessary to access both portals (http://huc.edu/libraries)
The Klau Library
The Klau Library in Cincinnati, in quantity and quality of holdings, stands at or near the top of all American collections of Hebraica and among the strongest in the world. The collection includes: 530,000 printed books, 1,200 current periodical subscriptions, 2,500 manuscript codices and many thousands of manuscript pages, 19,000 microfiche & 19,000 reels of microfilm, 100,000 digital images from manuscripts and early printed books, 3,300 sound recordings, 14,000 books in the Rare Book Room, and numerous non-book collections: maps, slides, filmstrips, bookplates, stamps, computer programs, games, and kits.
Particular strengths of the collection include Ancient Near East Studies, Archives (non-American), Bible, Cabala, Calendars, Early Christianity, History, Jewish Americana, Maimonides, Philosophy, Rabbinic, Responsa, Spinozana, Wit and Humor, and Yiddish.
The library is available to any resident of the Greater Cincinnati area, and also lends thousands of items yearly via interlibrary loan. Hundreds of reference questions are answered by the library staff each year. Rare and important manuscripts, books, and special collections are lent by the library to other institutions around the world in support of their exhibits and scholarly research. Treasures from the Rare Book Collection, as well as topical exhibits, are displayed in the Rabbi David Ellenson Rare Book Room and in the first-floor exhibit case.
The Frances-Henry Library of HUC-JIR
Mission
The Frances-Henry Library in Los Angeles collects, preserves, and makes available a carefully selected variety of library materials in support of all the educational, professional, and vocational programs of the school. The library also supports the academic partnership with the University of Southern California and its constituencies.
As a major Jewish informational resource, it serves the reference and research needs of the Greater Los Angeles community and other parts of the continental West Coast and Hawaii.
The library staff are happy to step away from our desks to warmly welcome our diverse patrons and assist them with their library needs. Our beautiful library space has areas for quiet study and for chavruta or group study and offers plenty of natural light and a magnificent view of downtown Los Angeles.
Borrowing Policies
Borrowing privileges: HUC-JIR students, faculty, and staff; students and faculty at other Los Angeles institutions of higher learning, and Los Angeles area residents.