Welcome to the Library!
Har Shalom maintains a 10,000-volume library for use by its members. Need to use the Encyclopedia Judaica or have a quiet, pleasant place to study? Want to read the Jerusalem Post or just browse the shelves? Then try the library reading room on the first floor of the synagogue. Our collection includes over 2,000 titles for children, 300 reference volumes, and many audiotapes, videotapes and CD’s. Special collections are displayed prior to each major Jewish holiday. Because of our limited quarters, many of our books are kept in a Library Annex, accessible only to the Librarian. The Har Shalom library is an accredited member of the Association of Jewish Libraries; has received a meritorious citation from the Jewish Book Council; and has received a Silver Citation for Library Programming from the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
Our library maintains an “open collection”; that is, it works on the honor system. Patrons find what they want, and sign a card identifying themselves and what they borrowed. We depend on each other to make sure that borrowed materials are returned. The library is open whenever the building is open. Browsing is available to the public; borrowing is restricted to Congregation members. Librarian Carol Witt is generally available daytimes Monday through Friday, and Sunday mornings. At other times, please contact her at 301-299-7087 ext. 239.
How to Find What You're Looking For
1. Browse the “Books of Note”
One of our bookshelves is used for new or recommended books selected by the Librarian.
(If you encounter a book that excites you, recommend it to the Librarian for display on those shelves, or
recommend it for purchase.)
2. Browse the “regular” shelves
If your book is non-fiction, and you know its classification number, find the shelves with that classification
by referring to the large Call Number signs affixed to the stacks. If you don’t know the classification number,
you can check the wall poster that summarizes the system. (The library uses the May Weine classification system,
a Judaic derivative of the common Dewey system.) Many non-fiction books are kept on special shelves marked Reference;
such books can be used in the library, but may not be borrowed.
3. Ask the Librarian
If for any reason you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to get the Librarian’s assistance.
That holds true even if you know the shelf that holds the book you want, and find the book missing.
One reason may simply be that someone else has borrowed it. But the Librarian can check if the book is overdue,
and if so, request that the borrower return it, so that it can be held for you. Or the Librarian may know that
additional copies of the book are available in the Library annex, accessible only to the Librarian.
How to borrow a book (and how to return it)
If you find a book you want to borrow, print your name and telephone number on the card in the book’s card pocket, and place the card in the Lucite box on the counter next to the catalog. (If you borrow a book on Shabbat, place the card in the Lucite box, without any writing, and after Shabbat, call the Librarian to leave a message identifying yourself and the book you borrowed; the Librarian will complete the card for you.)
When you return a book, place it in the book-drop, outside the library door.
Please follow these Four Commandments:
- Never borrow a book without leaving the card in the Lucite box
- Never borrow a book marked “Reference”
- Never return a borrowed book to the shelves. (Until the Librarian receives the book, you remain the borrower of record.)
- Never shelve a book you’ve been browsing (within the Library) unless you’re absolutely certain where it goes. Incorrectly shelved books prevent others from finding it.
Audiotapes, Videotapes and CDs
For security reasons, audiotapes, videotapes and CD’s and CD-ROM's are kept in locked storage. If you want to borrow such materials, ask the Librarian.
Children's Programs
There are several programs that have become traditional at the Har Shalom library, targeted at our children.- Early Childhood Classes: We frequently schedule story time for children in the Early Childhood Program.
- Religious School Classes make regular visits to the library, and use the Library for research and class projects.
Book sales
- Annual Book Sale: Our popular used book sale takes place every Fall. Donations for the next sale are always welcome. We accept all Jewish books in good condition (we'd prefer no textbooks), as well as donations of recent paperbacks, hardcover fiction books, and children’s books.
- Every-day Book Sale: A book cart is kept outside library, which serves as a means of sharing books of interest to our members. Browse the cart, and select what you want. Prices are marked inside each book; leave the money in an envelope for the Librarian. If you wish to contribute some books for this sale, just leave them for the Librarian.
Donations to the Library
Donations of new books of Jewish interest are always welcome, subject only to Librarian’s view of the need for the book, and space availability.Or you can make a donation to any of several different Library Funds and it will be put to good use!
