As a member of the University of Cambridge, you have three tier access to its libraries:
Each library has their own borrowing allowances, opening times and rules, please look at their website or LibGuide to make sure you are aware of them. There is a full libraries directory online and a map showing you where they all are. There is also a full map of the University.
For a map of all the colleges and departments, take a look round the virtual study tour.
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Your college library acts as your home library; they generally house a teaching collection, the core readings for courses, and books that have been requested for purchase. You cannot borrow from other college libraries that aren't your own, except when expressly stated, such as if you're studying children's literature, you may be able to borrow from Homerton College Library, at the librarian's discretion. Check the college library's website to see if this is the case. Links to all the college library websites can be found in the online libraries directory.
If the college library has the only available copy of an item and you need access to it urgently, you may be able to obtain reference access. Please contact the library beforehand to arrange it and you may be able to view the item in the library. DO NOT just turn up and expect full borrowing rights or that you can access it there and then. If this is a DVD, bring a device you can watch it on, or check the library has DVD players you can use.
Using another college library should only be a last resort. If you have time, request the item to be purchased from your own college library or the appropriate faculty library. If you have no preference, or you would prefer an ebook, you should fill in the online recommendation form and the request will go to the appropriate library, such as the relevant faculty or departmental library or the UL.
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If you have a faculty or departmental (fac/dep) library, you should already be registered with them when you start at the University. Do make sure to attend an induction at your fac/dep if you can. If you cannot attend any of the times provided, contact the library and arrange a different time as they can usually be flexible. For other fac/dep libraries, some automatically register all students. For the rest and if you're staff or an academic, you need to request access. Check with them either by email beforehand or at the front desk when you first use the library.
Every library has its own borrowing allowances, opening times and rules, look at their website to find out more. Information, contact details and links to their websites are on the libraries directory online.
If you need subject-specific support, there will be details on the library's website about the study skills sessions they run, academic services support they offer, 1-2-1s they can provide, drop-in times they organise and asynchronous teaching materials they have created. There will also be links to and details of any special collections they hold, specific online resources and curated lists, which focus on their particular subject area.
Depending on your subject and status, you may have 24/7 access to your subject library, but for all other faculty libraries, there will be varying opening hours. It depends on the library and building staffing times. Some are only open weekdays, some are open weekends during termtime. Please be aware that outside 9-5 weekdays, the library may be staffed not by the library team, but by student invigilators, so if you need more in-depth help, you may need to email or wait until the staff are back in.
The faculty libraries that are open longer than others during termtime are mostly on the Sidgwick Avenue site, the most densely populated place for libraries in Cambridge. There are only a couple elsewhere in Cambridge:
All opening times are subject to change and some libraries close for stock checks and maintenance in the vacation, especially in the Summer and over the Christmas period. Check the library's website in case of these closure times.
©Alice the Camera
The University Library or UL is open to all members of the University of Cambridge. It is also open to the public who can apply for access. The UL is a legal deposit library, which means they can request a copy of every book published in the UK, which can come either electronically or in print. It also means they only have one copy of every title; they do not hold multiple copies. If you find the UL is the only library that holds a book and it's on loan, please contact your college or faculty library and they can usually purchase another copy for you.
The UL can seem daunting at first, so ask for help. They offer induction tours and academic skills support. You will need to leave non-transparent bags in a locker. For more information about using the library, go to the website. There is a floorplan and a video showing how to get into the building.
If you find the only accessible book is via electronic legal deposit, (only on certain terminals in certain libraries, a full list of participating libraries is online), contact your preferred library and they can usually purchase a physical copy. If you would prefer an ebook, request one for purchase via the online recommendation form.
The UL is open 9-7 weekdays, apart from Easter term when it's open until 10pm, and until 4:45 on Saturdays. The tea room serves until 3pm weekdays and is open until 6:30, 9:30 during Easter term. It is open until 4:20 and serves until 2pm on Saturdays. Other areas of the UL open at different times, check the website.
Unless otherwise stated, this work is licenced under a CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence by Jesus College Cambridge.
