Founded in 1892, the National Library of Israel (NLI) is the vibrant institution of collective memory and heritage for Israelis of all backgrounds and faiths and the Jewish people worldwide, a leading global center promoting creativity, research and scholarship, and the democratization of know- ledge. In an era of declining interpersonal and communal connections, the National Library of Israel brings people together in a shared space open to all. Moreover, NLI’s far-reaching digitization initiatives enable ever-growing access to the Library’s collections to people throughout the world.
In 2007, NLI embarked upon an ambitious journey of renewal for the 21st century, promoting access and encouraging meaningful engagement with the treasures of Jewish and Israeli culture as never before. The Library’s renewal, in partner- ship with Yad Hanadiv, a Rothschild Foundation, has centered on a range of innovative educational, cultural, and digital initiatives, culminating in the opening of NLI’s new David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Building in the heart of Jerusalem, in October 2023. Situated between the Knesset and the Israel Museum, the new building is heralded as an architectural landmark that has taken a place of honor along the Jerusalem cityscape.
The National Library of Israel’s new home is a stunning manifestation of NLI's mission and vision of inclusion and accessibility. The building and campus are a magnet for visitors, coming to enjoy the magnificent structure, inviting gardens, innovative Visitor Center, unique exhibitions and cultural program offerings, and world-class collections of books, music, manuscripts, photo- graphs, archives, historical press, maps, and more. The new NLI building is a hub for cultural and educational activities, drawing visitors in great numbers, including readers, researchers and scholars, teachers, students, soldiers, and school groups.
