Abstract: A holder for receiving and holding a plurality of loose optical fibers which are of substantially equal thickness, comprises a base plate having a top surface on which the fibers can rest in side by side relationship, and an abutment projecting above the top surface of the base plate and defining a shoulder against which one of the fibers resting on the top surface can engage. A keeper extends over the top surface of the base plate in spaced relationship therewith for restraining the fibers against movement away from the top surface, and a lid is pivotable relative to the base plate between a closed position, in which it engages the fibers, and an open position. The base plate includes a permanent magnet and the lid includes magnetic material, whereby when the lid is in the closed position, it is retained in that position by magnetic attraction.