Reference Services

Ask a Judaica Librarian—Reference FAQs

What is reference assistance?

Our reference librarians are primarily tasked with helping patrons perform their research at our library. This includes teaching patrons how to use ALEPH (our online catalog), helping patrons identify appropriate print and electronic materials for their research, assisting patrons in their use of print and electronic materials, locating items in the library, and answering other questions relating to basic research skills.

Please note:

  • We do not provide the services of a rabbinical advisor. Questions of Jewish law should be sent to a qualified rabbi.
  • We do not function as appraisers of the monetary value of items. If you own a rare book or other item that you would like appraised, please contact a qualified appraiser.
  • We do not provide large-scale translation services. If you need a document translated, please consult with a qualified translator. 

How can I get reference assistance?

Reference assistance is available in person, via email, or via phone at (212) 678-8081 during regular reference-desk hours. There are printed guides (including maps of The Library), a key to our abbreviations, and various subject guides on the racks next to the elevators on the second and third floors. These guides can also be found online. When the reference desk is closed, the paraprofessional staff at the circulation desk can help with basic reference questions, such as how to find a book using ALEPH and how to determine the location of a book. 

When is reference assistance available?

The reference desk is open to help patrons during the following hours:

Sunday: 12:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Monday through Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (or JTS closing time)

If no one is behind the desk, ask for the reference librarian at the circulation desk.

For reference assistance with our Music Library, audio-visual materials, or microform materials, it is recommended that you make an appointment in advance by calling (212) 678-8836.

 Who is eligible to use reference services at JTS?

Reference services are open to the general public, with preference given to JTS students, faculty, and staff.

How do I determine if my research pertains to a JTS special collection?

Some people start out with standard reference questions and end up needing to do research in one of our special collections. When this is the case, a reference librarian will refer you to one of our specialists. If you are unsure whether the materials you seek are located in the general or special collections, please begin your research at the second-floor reference desk.

How can I get assistance with electronic resources?

The reference staff is available during regular reference-desk hours to train users on our electronic resources. No advance appointments are necessary.

Ask a Judaica Librarian (email)

Submit your reference questions to a JTS reference librarian. We respond to most questions within three days. But please be patient; some questions are more difficult than you think. Before emailing, please read the What is reference assistance? section of this page.

Note:

  • Please make your email question as specific as possible.
  • Please include enough information to ensure that the librarian will properly understand your question.

The General Collections email address is only for reference assistance related to our general collections. If your question concerns items that are likely to be stored in our Rare Book Room, Art Collection, or Archives, then please send your email to the appropriate department. Below is a description of what is contained in each department with links to their email addresses:

General Collections: Reference, circulating, restricted, and reserve items; microform; audio-visual materials; music materials; periodicals

Special Collections: Manuscripts, books published before 1801, and rare books and original works of art

Archives: Documents (such as correspondence or minutes of meetings)


Ask a Judaica Librarian (phone):

This service is available during regular reference-desk hours. If you reach voice mail, please leave a message and your call will be returned. Before calling, please read the What is reference assistance? section of this page.

The General Collections phone number is only for reference assistance related to our general collections. If your question concerns items that are likely to be stored in our Rare Book Room, Art Collection, or Archives, then please call the appropriate department. Below is a description of what each department contains:

General Collections: Reference, circulating, restricted, and reserve items; microform; audio-visual materials; music materials; periodicals

(212) 678-8081

Rare Book Room: Manuscripts, books published before 1801, and rare books

(212) 678-8077

Art Collection: Original works of art

(212) 678-8975

Archives: Documents (such as correspondence or minutes of meetings)

(212) 280-6011

 Faces of The Library: Ina Rubin Cohen

Ina Rubin Cohen has been a public services librarian and the music librarian at The Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary since 2001.

At JTS she handles reference desk responsibilities, the Music Library, information literacy sessions, new student and new faculty orientations, access to the microfilm collection of Hebrew manuscripts, and stack maintenance/shifting—all with patience, consideration, and good humor. At the reference desk, she particularly enjoys tracking down obscure citations and introducing library users to our varied electronic resources. In the Music Library, she is eager to assist users in finding recordings and identifying appropriate sheet music. She provides individualized guidance to cantorial students as they do library research for their master's theses.

The diverse topics she has been asked to research by library visitors and through the Ask a Judaica Librarian email service include embryonic stem-cell research from a halakhic perspective, Krymchaki Jews (non-Karaite Jewish population of the Crimea), Miriam Gideon (former faculty member of H. L. Miller Cantorial School and an accomplished composer), biographies of various hazzanim, Ta'amei Emet (the trope for Job, Proverbs, and Psalms), songs of the First and Second Aliyot, Sephardic mourning customs, and the connection between Dr. Asa Friedmann and the composer Alexander Zemlinsky.

Before coming to JTS, Ina Cohen was a Judaica librarian at HUC–NY and a librarian at Ramapo College, the Paramus Public Library, and Ernst & Young. She is an active member of the Association of Jewish Libraries, serving as reference workshop co-coordinator and board member of the New York metropolitan chapter for the past six years. In earlier stages of her career, Ms. Cohen was a computer programmer and a graphic artist. Her publications include: research guides to Jewish music and Jewish communal service on the JTS website; "The Sabin Family Music Library" in News From The Library (April 2006); "American Jewish Fiction Books" in The Jewish Book Annual (1979/1980 and 1980/1981); Etone [AJL–NJ newsletter] (editor, 1993–1997); "News From the Day School Libraries" [regular feature] in Etone (1993–1997); "Serials News" in the national AJL Bulletin (1980–1981).