Mission Statement

The Jewish Library of Baltimore is now a program of The Associated. You will find the most up to date information at Associated.org/JewishLibrary

 

We seek to connect people in the community to Jewish resources that support them in their Jewish educational journey. The Library and Resource Center maintains a diverse collection catering to children and adults, including educators. The collection of this lending library includes: books, DVDs, CDs, Judaica, posters and curricular materials.

An affiliate of the Association of Jewish Libraries

Our library has been selected as one of the  Association of Jewish Libraries Donna and Richard Harris Jewish Libraries, Archives, and Collections Around the World! 

From AJL: “There are hundreds of magnificent Jewish libraries,  collections, and archives that can be found in colleges, universities, day schools, community centers, and synagogues.  They contain rare books, unique book collections, ephemera, beautiful art, and much more. However, until now there has been no central location where an interested person can learn about the breadth, beauty, and history of these institutions.“

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Library Resources

Mitzvah Mutts

Shy or reluctant readers are welcome to join us on the first Tuesday evening of each month to read to Mitzvah Mutts from Pets on Wheels. Mitzvah Mutts are friendly, nonjudgmental and good listeners who can help readers feel more confident.

Local Author Series

We’re proud to bring in Baltimore’s finest local Jewish authors to share more about the books they wrote and the stories behind them. Books being presented and discussed by the authors will be available for check-out in the library.

Tzipur Sipur: Traveling School Librarian and Storytime

Our Community Librarian visits schools that do not have a library or librarian on staff. The librarian brings stories, research materials, and books for the children to check-out. The program is designed to help students access appropriate books (level and content), as well as help reinforce a community of readers. For more information, please contact Sonia Kozlovsky.

Classroom Fieldtrips

We invite your class to visit our library for a field trip. The visit will include stories, connection to classroom learning, checking out books and using the craftsroom. Please contact Sonia Kozlovsky. to schedule your field trip.

Catalog Curation

Looking for books on a specific topic for your classroom, organization, or family? Our Librarians will curate collections of books for you to check out based on what you’re looking to learn more about, from sensitive subjects to light reading. Please contact Jessica Fink (jessicafink@cjebaltimore.org) for more information.

Library Consultation and Mentorship

We’re proud to offer teachers resources and curriculum on different topics. Previous topics include Understanding Grief, Immigration to Israel, Incorporating Parsha into the general curriculum, Teaching Students to Be Upstanders, Holocaust Curriculum and resources. We’ll work in partnership with you based on your needs. Contact Jessica Fink for more information.

Book Club

Interested in being part of a book club or receiving your own book club books at the library? Please contact Jessica Fink to coordinate your next event.

eBook Collection

Our e-book collection includes critically-acclaimed Jewish children’s books, Jewish Day School summer reading lists, Jewish biographies and historical fiction. Stop by the library to check them out.

Curbside Checkout

Our library catalog is open 24 hours. Log in anytime to request a book to be held for you. We’ll notify you within seven days of your request on when it will be ready for pickup.

To contact Jessica Fink, Executive Director and Librarian of the Jewish Library of Baltimore, email jessicafink@cjebaltimore.org or call 410-735-5018.

Policies and Procedures

I. The collection includes adult, children’s materials and curricular materials in these categories:

  • Non-fiction (includes, but is not limited to)
    • Jewish Reference books
    • Religion, theology, Torah
    • Life cycle, holiday, Jewish calendar
    • Art, music, cooking, crafts
    • History, Holocaust, Anti-Semitism
    • Jewish communities in America and abroad
    • Social and family issues
    • Israel
    • Biography
    • Hebrew
  • Fiction
    • Jewish themes
    • Jewish Book Clubs
    • Award winning books
    • Books recommended by local Jewish schools and professionals
    • Hebrew
  • DVDs and Videos: Jewish characters, subjects or themes
  • Items of Judaica

II. The population we serve

The Library is designed to meet the needs of the Jewish community of Greater Baltimore – children, teen and adult, including educators – representing all branches of Judaism. Users outside of the Jewish community are welcome to use all of the services of the library.

III. The scope of the collection

The collection is focused on materials of Jewish content in both English and Hebrew (as available) that support the educational and recreational needs of the community. We provide curricular support to local programs, e.g. Book clubs, summer reading lists. All selections must be consistent with the library mission and collection policy.

IV. The selection criteria

Materials are chosen for the collection based upon reviews by Association of Jewish Libraries, reviews in other journals and newspapers, e.g. Hadassah, library list-serv recommendations, PJ Library/Our Way and individual recommendations.

Selection Criteria:

  • Items that meet the needs of the Jewish community
  • Items of Jewish content and relevancy
  • Items useful to the primary users of the library
  • Items presenting a variety of points of view
  • Items of lasting literary, social or historical value
  • Fiction of Jewish content or relevancy
  • Works on Jewish movements
  • Works on local Jewish history or community

Once a year the collection will be evaluated and inventoried with an eye to fill in any gaps in any areas and to determine that materials still meet the needs of the community.
The library may not purchase materials that are more appropriately held by other institutions. Financial and space limitations will be considered in selection.

V. The deselection process

In conjunction with the inventory, materials will be removed from the collection in order to conserve space and to make room for new materials.

Deselection criteria:

  • Material inconsistent with the mission statement and collection policy
  • Unneeded duplicates
  • Obsolete books
  • Superseded editions
  • Materials that are worn out, damaged or too expensive to repair

VI. The process of dealing with users’ issues and concerns

The Library supports the concept of intellectual freedom, i.e., the right of each individual to seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It is the opposite of censorship. This right is guaranteed in the First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution.

When questions, complaints or challenges about individual items in the collection arise, the complainant will be listened to with respect and will then be informed of the library’s policy on intellectual freedom. The complainant will be asked to present his/her objections in writing.

A committee including the librarian, staff, representatives of the board will evaluate the written complaint and reach a consensus on how to respond, which will be communicated in writing within 4 weeks of receipt of the complaint. The complainant has the opportunity to speak to the committee. Items objected to will not be removed from the shelves until a decision is made by the committee. All written complaints will be kept on file.

Library Events

Mitzvah Mutts 

Mitzvah Mutt dogs are calm, non-judgmental listeners who can help shy or reluctant readers feel more confident. For children ages 5 and up. Every first Tuesday of the month.

Local Author Series

We bring in Baltimore’s finest local Jewish authors to learn more about the books they wrote and the stories behind them. Books being presented and discussed by the authors will be available for check-out in the library.