The New National Library of Israel Opens to the General Public

The New National Library of Israel Opens to the General Public

Please note: There is no need to book a seat ahead of your visit to the NLI

Due to the difficult situation, and despite the resulting limitations and delays, we have decided to open the Library to readers and scholars. We welcome you to our new building, which opened on Sunday, October 29, 2023.

Opening Hours

Sunday-Thursday 9 am – 8 pm

Friday: 9 am – 1 pm

Arrival and Parking

Entry is only possible from the main entrance at Kaplan Street 1.

The parking lot is not open at this time, but there is "blue and white" parking available on Kaplan Street, Ruppin Road, Sderot Hamuze'onim and Shmuel Stefan Weiz Street.

Cloak Room

You can deposit your bags in the cloak room on floor 0. 

Our locker service is not yet available.

Reading Halls

The main reading hall is open to visitors. This hall contains our Israel, Judaica, Humanities, Islam and Gershom Scholem collections. We have a staff of librarians who are ready to help with any requests, and photocopiers and microfilm machines are available as well. Entry to the reading hall is from floor -1 and -2.

The Special Collections Reading Room Is Now Open

The Special Collections Reading Room is now open to the public. It is now possible to view archives, musical archives and microfilmed Hebrew manuscripts. Our collection of rare books is not yet available for viewing. Entry to the reading room from floor -3.

Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday, 9 am – 6 pm.

Cafeteria

As we await the opening of our restaurant and café, you can enjoy some coffee, soft drinks, sandwiches and pastries from the coffee cart found on floor -2 (near the Ruppin Road entrance to the Library).

Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm.

Friday, 8 am – 1 pm.

Cakes and challahs will be available on Fridays.

Prayer Services

1:00 pm: Mincha prayer, with chazzan's repetition

1:30 pm: Mincha prayer, without chazzan's repetition

5:15 pm: Ma'ariv prayer

Building Tours

Free Guided Tours are held every Wednesday. For more information and to register