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.
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.“
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.