Collections
The Central Science Library (formerly Scientific Periodicals Library) holds collections in biological sciences, chemistry and earth sciences.
The CSL receives around 1500 current print journals. The current collection is strong in interdisciplinary areas such as neuroscience, biochemistry and molecular biology. The historical collection, formed partly on the basis of the exchange programme of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, is particularly strong in international society publications in the biological sciences.
In most cases the last 10 years of each current journal title is kept on the open shelves of the library on the second floor, while older volumes are fetched from closed stacks on request. Fetching requests can be made in the library or via email.
The circulating (borrowable) book collection is located on both first and second floors.
This collection is shelved by the Library of Congress (LC) classification system, an alphanumeric system in which the main subject divisions are allocated a single or double letter code.
A listing of the subjects covered at the CSL and their LC code can be found here. Further guidance is provided by library staff to assist in browsing the collection.
Books formerly located in the Buttress Collection of Applied Biology have been transferred to the CSL and absorbed into the main book sequence.
Buttress Collection of Applied Biology
The Buttress Collection represents the library holdings of the former Department of Applied Biology.
This collection remains one of the most complete archive collections of the international literature on agriculture, plant breeding and related topics in the country. With the exception of the books, which are now incorporated in the main collection, these collections are chiefly housed in closed access accommodation in the Austin and Balfour buildings adjacent to the Arts School.
Material from this collection must be requested at the CSL, using fetching slips.
The library holds the University Library's print collection of British and International Standards issued by the British Standards Institute, which are available for reference purposes. Readers wishing to consult this collection should make their request at the enquiry desk. Standards will be fetched using the normal fetching slip. A printed catalogue is available on request.
For general information regarding standards and an electronic version of the catalogue readers should consult the British Standards Institute's website.
Further detailed information on the scope and acquisitions policy of the library is available here