Library - Temple Shir Tikvah

Welcome to the TST Library Web page! The library is located on the first floor of the TST building, just past the clergy offices, and is open anytime the building is open. This is generally Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and during services. If you come during the day, it’s best to give TST staff a heads-up (781.729.1263 or office@shir-tikvah.org) to make sure they’re not offsite for any reason.

Online Library Catalog

To Check Books Out: Please fill out the form in the binder on the desk by the library door.

To Return Books: Please leave them in the blue bin marked “Book Return” behind the library door.

Donation Guidelines

Sites for Jewish Book Recommendations and Reviews

Jewish Book Council Award Winners: Winners of the National Jewish Book Awards and Natan Notable Books.
Jewish Book Council Book Search: Search by title, author, genre, category, and more.
Jewish Book Council Reading Lists: Lists on a variety of topics.
The Jewish Review of Books: A quarterly print publication with an active online presence.
Jewish Books and Literature: Articles from the Union for Reform Judaism on Jewish literature, book reviews, study guides, discussion guides, and recommended reading.
Association of Jewish Libraries Awards
- Sydney Taylor Book Award for children’s and teen literature.
- The Judaica Reference and Bibliography Awards for academic scholarship.
- The AJL Jewish Fiction Award for adult readers.

Other Jewish Book Sites

PJ Library: PJ Library sends free high-quality Jewish children’s books to families every month. Their website also includes activities, booklists, podcasts for kids, and more.

Podcasts About Jewish Books

The Jewish Review of Books Podcast: Covering books and ideas about religion, literature, culture, and politics.
The Book of Life: An interview-format podcast from the Association of Jewish Libraries, covering Jewish children’s literature, with occasional coverage of YA/adult books, music, film, and more.
Nice Jewish Books: A podcast from the Association of Jewish Libraries focusing on adult Jewish fiction.

Jewish News Sites

Other Sites for Information on Jews and Judaism

The Jewish Encyclopedia: The complete 12-volume Jewish Encyclopedia, originally published 1901-1906.
The Jewish Virtual Library: An online encyclopedia of Jewish history, politics, and culture.
Sefaria: 3000 years of Jewish texts.

Local Public Libraries

If you're seeking a book that isn't in our collection, try a local public library. They include many books by Jewish authors and on Jewish themes, and can also order books via interlibrary loan.

Donation Guidelines

We thank you for thinking of us as a home for your books. Our library is small, however, and must therefore be selective. We will prioritize materials that align with TST's mission and core values:

Represent both Jewish and non-Jewish voices within the areas of Jewish family life, prayer, and spirituality
Provide guidelines for daily life and a Jewish home
Support current diverse approaches to Jewish life cycle events and practice
Provide current resources for personalizing life cycle events
Explore various relationships with God, tradition, and Israel
Present multiple interpretations of Jewish tradition throughout the world
Address contemporary social issues and social justice actions through Jewish perspectives
Illustrate Jewish storytelling and narrative
Support environmental awareness and action

Materials will also be evaluated based on:

Their resonance with our community’s current needs
Potential to foster community connections
Accuracy and authority of content
Cost and availability, or lack of availability through other local resources
Existence of other copies in the library

Donated materials must be in “like new” condition.

Please reach out to library@shir-tikvah.org if you are interested in donating a book or books. Note that we do not have the resources to weed through large collections and see what might be appropriate. The final decision about whether to accept any given donation rests with the Library Committee.

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