Overview

The Wiener Holocaust Library is one of the world’s leading and most extensive archives on the Holocaust, the Nazi era and genocide. The Library’s unique collection of over one million items includes published and unpublished works, press cuttings, photographs and eyewitness testimony. The library is step free, as it has a platform lift to the front door which was not working when I visited and then a lift to all floors and an accessible toilet. I came here to research for a chapter I was writing about ableism and eugenics, staff were so helpful both in advising about materials to consult and in making my visit as accessible and comfortable as possible. The library also hosts exhibitions and events.

Transport & Parking

The nearest tube station Russell Square is not step free, but there are plenty of buses that stop in Russell Square and from there it is a short, 3 - 5 minute level walk to the library.

Access

The library is housed in a converted Georgian town house with step free access. I am often a little nervous about these type of buildings being accessible but the step free access has been well done and it is easy to get about. The public have access to the ground and basement floors, and if you have a readers card (see how to get this in additional information section) you can also access the Wolfson Reading Room on the first floor. When I visited a few times in May 2024, the platform lift to the entrance was not working. There are five steps from street to entrance door and I was able to use the railing to support me. There is an intercom but each time a member of staff opened the door to me, so I did not need to buzz. On the raised ground floor there is a reception area, an exhibition display and a space for talks to be held. The lockers are also here to put your bags if you are planning to go into the Wolfson Reading Room. There is a lift to the basement for the accessible toilet and to the first floor to access the Wolfson Reading Room. It's a standard size lift with double doors. The Wolfson Reading Room has desks and free standing chairs. If you can bag yourself a seat by the window, I found it very helpful when I was reading material about Nazi Germany and the mass murder of disabled people through the children’s euthanasia scheme, Aktion T4 adult euthanasia scheme, "Wild Euthanasia" and Aktion 14f13, as I welcomed the opportunity to look out of the window at the garden square for a few minutes respite from the atrocities.

Toilets

The accessible toilet is in the basement directly opposite the lift. It has a manual door. It is spacious, clean and well maintained. There are plenty of grab rails. There is an emergency cord but it stops above the grab rail, making it useless if someone is on the floor trying to summon assistance.

Staff

All the staff were amazing. From the door person who would open the door as I was coming up the steps, reception were you sign in and out and get your reader's card, to the library staff. All were so proactively helpful and supportive. Given the distressing material in its collection, having staff around either to support me or just by their reassuring presence really helped me to be able to read the material I had chosen. Library staff chatted with me about what I was looking for and made suggestions and ordered up materials in advance for me and brought them to my table. Huge thank you to all the staff for your hard work and dedication. You are all a credit to your organisation.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The library while open to everyone, due to the distressing nature of the material it holds will not be right for everyone. However, if you choose to to visit you will be able to access a wide range of books, journals and original documents. It is an outstanding and important collection. The staff are welcoming, will be helpful and encouraging and supportive if you want to discuss with them the areas of interest but are not sure what to do or where to start. To enter the Wolfson Reading Room, you need to have a reader’s ticket. You can obtain one on the day by bringing one piece of photographic ID. It does not take long to wait and you can use the library straight away. A large collection of books is available in the Wolfson Reading Room on open access. These are marked as ‘Reading Room Open Access’ in the catalogue and there is no need to request these items. Documents, photographs, fragile material and rare books are stored in our basement archives and need to be requested using call slips available in the Wolfson Reading Room. Please ask staff at the Enquiry Desk for advice on how to fill in a call slip. Items requested from the basement need to be collected from the Reading Room’s Enquiry Desk. You can request six items at once. Items will be retrieved at the following times: Morning call times: 10:30am, 11:30am Afternoon call times: 1:00pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm I used their online catalogue to identify the books and articles I wanted to read. I would then email the enquiry desk before I arrived and ask them to order up items for me. Therefore, when I arrived the items were already waiting for me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Wiener Holocaust Library for the important work they do and for their support for me while researching my chapter.

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