The Fifth Floor Museum Reading Room is currently closed to the public because of the ongoing Federal government shutdown. The Reading Room at the Shapell Center is open to the public by appointment only. Reference questions, including those regarding access to collections, may be directed to reference@ushmm.org
In addition to materials available digitally through the Museum's Collections Search, members of the public may access archival and published resources at the David and Fela Shapell Family Collections, Conservation and Research Center in Bowie, Maryland. Access to any collection material at the Shapell Center requires advance arrangement. Please see the Research in the Museum’s Library and Archival Collections page for details about preparing for a research visit.
If you are interested in remote research assistance, or cannot plan a visit to the Shapell Center, please search in our online tools and then consider asking for assistance.
Get assistance before, during, and after your research visit to the Museum’s Library and Archives.
Learn about accessing our special collections.
Get assistance with the many resources that can help you research the fates of individuals during the Holocaust.
Plan Your Visit
Find out when the Museum's exhibitions and Hall of Remembrance are open, where we're located, and other essential details for planning a visit.
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Look through a curated list of frequently searched collection types and themes.