Current Jesus College students, academics and staff can all use the library following a library induction. More details are below. You'll need your University card with a barcode to take out books.
College-registered partners of Jesus College members can use the library on a reference basis, study in the space and take out books from our Light Reading collection. You will need an access card from the porters and to attend a library induction, this can be done at the same time as your partner. Please email the library to arrange this.
If you're not a current Jesus College student, academic or staff member, you'll need to email the librarian in advance of your visit to seek access. More details are below under library access for non-members.
Inductions
The best way to get to know the library and learn how to make the most of its resources is through a library induction.
You'll be invited to a library induction when you first join the College as a student, you can sign up for one on the Tutorial Moodle site at the start of Michaelmas. But you can arrange another at any time, or if you are a current member of Jesus College: staff, academic or fellow, by emailing us.
You will learn about the academic skills Sarah our Assistant Librarian (Academic Services) can support you with, the wellbeing sessions that Diana our Assistant Librarian runs every Wednesday during termtime, and the nature walks Rhona our Librarian can take you round the College grounds.
There is a map of the college grounds, which shows you how to find the entrance to the Quincentenary Library.
Below, you'll find maps of each floor of the Quincentenary Library, or there is a hand-out map in the library foyer, and our video tour; please note there is no longer a study pod in the Library.
The video is only viewable if you accept cookies. A 'Manage Cookies' button is available at the bottom left corner of every page, where you can update/save your preferences.
The entrance to the library is on the College's main site, via Library Court. If you need accessibility information, full details can be found on the Accessibility page.
To use the library and take out books, you'll need your University card with a barcode which you will be given when you join the College. If you lose your access card please contact the Porters’ Lodge to get a replacement.
You can borrow up to 15 items from the library for 28 days (undergraduates, postgraduates, fellows and staff). These books will autorenew until the end of the academic year unless recalled by another user. If an item is recalled, it must be returned within three days. The Library Essentials LibGuide borrowing page has further information on loans.
The online catalogue for the University is called iDiscover. The catalogue can be accessed from any electronic device. Using your University login, you can also gain access to more online resources available on campus via the University Library's website.
The library uses the Bliss Classification System: the alphabetical classmarks are arranged clockwise down through the library, starting with A in the top corner of the building and finishing with Z on the ground floor. You'll find notices next to the shelves explaining how the system works.
Please note that items listed as Jesuan Collection, Old Library or Archives are not held in the Quincentenary Library; you need to contact the appropriate department.
Please be considerate of others and follow the library rules below, which you can also find in the printed Library Guide in the library foyer:
Jesus College members aren't allowed to bring in friends, family or members of other colleges without requesting prior arrangement with the librarian. Please ensure when you enter the library that no one follows you in. If you need help accessing the library, there is a doorbell to the left of the entrance, which will be answered during staffed hours.
If you're a former student, you may use the library after emailing the librarian. You will receive a temporary access card from the Porters' Lodge to gain access to the building, but you won't be able to borrow any items. There are a number of online resources you can access as an alumnus, a list is available on the University's alumni pages.
If you're a member of another College, you won't be allowed general access to the library or borrowing rights, but you can email to make an appointment with the Librarian to consult one of our items during staffed hours.
Members of the public aren't allowed general access to the library, but if you'd like to visit, you can make an appointment by emailing the librarian.
If you have any other questions about using the library, drop us an email or speak to one of the library staff.
Unless otherwise stated, this work is licenced under a CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence by Jesus College Cambridge.
