Library

The library comprises one of the largest Judaica collections in Germany and contains works from all disciplines of Jewish studies from the 16th to the 21st century. It not only serves the teaching staff and students of the HfJS and Heidelberg University for research, teaching and study, but is also available to the interested public as a reference library.

The source paradise, which is also a treasure trove of new publications, is located on the main floor of the university, which opened in 2009, and covers the area of the old building and the northern wing of the new building. It thus forms a bridge between the two parts of the building. Together with the reading gallery and the basement, the library covers approx. 540 m² and has over 2,000 meters of shelving in the open access area, as well as approx. 400 real meters in the stacks area, partly in a modern mobile shelving system.

Together with the Bibliotheksservice-Zentrum Baden-Württemberg (BSZ), the use of the integrated library system Koha was implemented in a pilot project, which enables the processing and display of original written catalog records and has a convenient web-based OPAC. A self-checkout system is available to users for borrowing and returning books. A book security system based on RFID technology and a photocopier with scanning function complete the technical equipment. In the library area, users have access to 4 OPACs, 2 computer workstations with PCs and 28 additional reading places with computer connections. Further PC workstations are located outside the library area in the lower foyer.

Construction and equipment were funded by the Klaus Tschira Foundation.

Since the beginning of 2019, parts of the library's collection have been examined for Nazi-looted items .