Supporting teaching and research at the University of Cambridge, the Moore Library provides the University’s major working collections in science and technology. This includes collections in mathematics, physics, astronomy, computer science, materials science, engineering, biological, chemical, earth and environmental sciences.
At the Moore you will find a diverse range of library study spaces and equipment. We have study pods and portable blackboards, whiteboards, reading stands and beanbags. We have bookable study rooms, and an acoustic booth for holding online calls and meetings. If you need stationery, we have a Study Supplies station, complete with some adorable woolly 'Study Buddies'. Come along and create your own ideal study space!
We have an excellent literature collection, including graphic novels, for your reading pleasure, as well as a small research support and wellbeing collection.
We have a recreational area stocked with jigsaws, games and origami for those well-earned study breaks.
Our friendly and knowledgeable team are here to help you find the resources you need, advise on library facilities, and answer any other questions you may have!
The Betty and Gordon Moore Library is open:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday: CLOSED
On advice from the University Safety Office the library will not be in a position to offer 24/7 access. Readers will only be able to gain access to the Moore during staffed hours.
Please continue to monitor our website, as any future updates to this will be posted there in the first instance.
There are several places you can turn to get help. As well as the Physical Sciences Research Support Librarian, many disciplines operate their own library. You can find their details in the Help tab or by using the quick links to their online guides below:
For further information, please visit our study spaces webpage. Thank you for continuing to help us keep staff and users safe.
If you've got any questions about the Moore Library which aren't answered on this guide, we have an FAQ section on our website:
If you have any other questions please Contact Us.
Our book collections are located on the ground, first, and second floors of the Library - the sequence starts on the second floor. Our bound journal collection can be found on the lower ground floor.
You can search our book stock using iDiscover, the Cambridge University Libraries online catalogue, as demonstrated in the video below. If you need help using iDiscover, please ask a member of the Library Team - we will be happy to guide you.
The University Library has developed a series of short videos on how to get the most out of iDiscover - check out the complete playlist for more.
Where is my book?
Need a book from the Moore Library? Check out our handy guide to what is available on each floor:
Remember: books labelled 'reserve collection' on iDiscover have been integrated into the main sequence so you will find them on the main shelves.
The Moore uses the Library of Congress classification system. You can see an overview of our which books are held at which classmark on our classification guide.
Online Reading lists for Undergraduate Mathematics and Natural Science Tripos Mathematics can be found online. You will need to sign in with your Raven password.
You can come in and browse our collections and borrow what you need if you have borrowing privileges. We also operate a Click and Collect service where you can request items in advance of your visit and collect them from the Library Service Desk.
Simply search for the item(s) you would like on iDiscover and then use the Click and Collect form to request them. You are able to request up to 5 books at a time. Library staff will contact you by email when your item(s) are ready for collection. Please bring your University or Library card with you when you come to collect.
Need a journal article or book chapter that isn't available online?
Scan & Deliver allows current staff and students to request an individual scanned copy of one chapter (or 5%) of a monograph (printed book) or one article per issue of a journal from collections held by Cambridge University Libraries, subject to relevant conservation approval and copyright permissions.
Find out more about Scan & Deliver on the University Libraries Scan & Deliver page.
Currently we have a range of study spaces available throughout the library, including the Glass Room on the Lower ground floor. We offer two bookable study rooms which are available on a first-come first-served basis and can be reserved via our bookings page.
New: the Library now offers an acoustic booth on the ground floor, allowing you to make video calls in privacy. You can book the booth for your call using our online calendar.
Our self service borrowing machine is located on the ground floor. Using your blue university card, books can be borrowed and returned on this terminal. Just leave your returned items on the trolley next to the machine.
Printing, scanning and photocopying are available on the lower ground floor of the Moore Library. Prices and further information can be found on our website.
Undergraduates may borrow up to a maximum of:
University Staff, University PhD and Masters students may borrow up to a maximum of:
All other users with borrowing rights, may borrow up to a maximum of:
Other borrowing rules