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Research Access and Services

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Research at the Magnes

The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life’s objects and archives are for research by appointment only.

Magnes holdings reside in two locations: the Magnes museum at 2121 Allston Way in downtown Berkeley and The Bancroft Library on the UC Berkeley campus. Inquiries and requests regarding access to Magnes holdings housed in the Bancroft Library should be directed to Bancroft Library public services staff.

Researchers are highly encouraged to explore the Magnes’s online collection resources to identify the materials they would like to view, including:

Please carefully read the following Guidelines and Conditions of Use, before submitting the Research Access Appointment Request form.

Research appointments are available Mondays and Fridays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, for researchers 18 years old or older, and must be scheduled at least four to six weeks in advance of your intended visit.

Youth researchers may schedule appointments and must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or educator.

The Magnes is unable to accommodate walk-ins.

The Magnes Collection is currently processing the Roman Vishniac Archive. Materials from the archive are not yet available.

Research Access Request

To submit a research access request to the Magnes, please fill out the Research Access Request Form below:

Research Access Request Form

Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for a Collections staff member to review your request and respond.

Once the request has been reviewed, the Registrar-Collections Manager will be in touch with you about the status of your request and/or to confirm your appointment.

Research requests will be approved or denied based on the following criteria:

  1. Availability of the Collections staff and museum spaces
  2. Physical condition and size of the objects requested
  3. Availability and accessibility of the objects requested

The following materials are restricted from access and use:

  1. Unprocessed materials
  2. Materials for which the donor has indicated restrictions on public use
  3. Materials the Registrar/Collections Manager deems too fragile

Researchers may request up to 5 collections materials or up to 4 boxes or archival materials per visit. 

Researchers may not request to view additional materials on the day of their appointment. 

Please email questions about research appointments at the Magnes to magnesresearch@berkeley.edu.