You are welcome to access the University Library’s modern collections Monday to Saturday. Our opening hours are extended during Easter Term, and you can find details on our Opening Hours page. Last entry to the Library is 10 minutes before the open stacks close.
Please make sure you are registered and your card is in date before coming to the Library.
The best way to start exploring our collections is via the iDiscover catalogue, and you can do this ahead of your visit. When you find the item you want to read, the catalogue will give you details of how to access it. You may be directed to the open shelves, or the catalogue may guide you through the process of ordering the book to a particular location in the library.
This page explains more about the different ways to access our modern collections, including what will appear on the iDiscover catalogue.
Browse the open shelves
During your visit you are welcome to explore the following collections on the open stacks: look for books housed in North Front, North Wing, South Front, South Wing, the Anderson Room and Aoi Pavilion (with the exception of the Aoi Basement).
You are welcome to study in the open stacks – why not discover your ideal study space at the UL?
'Order to the Reader Services Desk': borrow modern material that is not accessible on the open shelves
Some borrowable items in our modern collections are stored at the UL in areas that aren’t open to readers. These items appear on iDiscover with the instruction to ‘Order to Reader Services Desk, main entrance, Ground Floor’
To access these items:
- Log in to iDiscover, and place your order online for this material. Items may take a few hours to arrive, although you can place your order on the day.
- When the item is available for you, you will receive an email letting you know you can collect it from the Reader Services Desk in the Entrance Hall.
A small number of borrowable classes aren't orderable online and you won’t see a request link once you have logged in. In this case, submit a paper slip at the Reader Services Desk.
'Order to Main Reading Room': consult non-borrowable modern material in the Main Reading Room
Some items in our modern collections can’t be borrowed - these items appear on iDiscover with the instruction to ‘Order to Main Reading Room’ (you may previously have ordered this type of material to the West Room).
To access these items:
- Log in to iDiscover, and place your order online for this material. Items may take a few hours to arrive, although you can place your order on the day.
- When the item is available for you, you will receive an email asking you to collect it from the desk in the centre of the Reading Room.
- Once you have picked up your ordered book you can consult it either within the Reading Room, or anywhere within the Library building. Staff will tell you where your item can be read.
Find additional information about using newspapers and unbound periodicals from the modern collections on the Periodicals Services page.
A small number of classes aren't orderable online and you won’t see a request link once you have logged in. In this case, submit a paper slip at the desk in the Main Reading Room.
There are Reference-only items in several Reading Rooms in the building. iDiscover will direct you to the relevant room, or will instruct you on how to order this material.
If you would like further information or advice on consulting non-borrowable modern material, please email reference@lib.cam.ac.uk.
Consult electronic legal deposit
Six terminals are available in the Main Reading Room to enable you to access electronic legal deposit material.
Collect inter-library loans
Inter-library loans are ordered through an online form. You will receive an email when your loan is available to consult in the Main Reading Room. Collect the loan from the desk in the Main Reading Room.
Borrow and return books
If your membership allows it, you can borrow books at the Reader Services Desk in the Entrance Hall.
Check how many books you can borrow on our membership pages.
Books can be returned to the drop box outside the University Library.
For further information, please explore the Borrowing from Cambridge Libraries LibGuide.
What do I need to know before I arrive?
If you require assistance with any aspect of your visit, please email readerservices@lib.cam.ac.uk and we will be pleased to help you.
You can look up the classmarks of the material you are interested in on our iDiscover terminals in the building. Alternatively, you may wish to look these up ahead of your visit or bring a mobile device with you.
If you are disabled and need assistance in collecting the items you need, please email disability@lib.cam.ac.uk. Please be aware that the open stacks are narrow in places and may be difficult to navigate. In the event of a fire, lifts may not be available.
Plan to bring essential items only into the Library. You can leave coats and bags in the Locker Room.
You are welcome to have lidded drinks and bottled water at desks around the library. No food or drinks may be taken into staffed reading rooms. This includes the Main Reading Room and Special Collections reading rooms. Food can be consumed only in the Tea Room and in the courtyards; please make sure that food and drinks are covered to prevent spillages if you are carrying them through the library to these areas.
Find further information on our pages, Practical information for your visit.
Please read our current guidance on Staying safe ahead of your trip.
Making copies
You are welcome to use the photocopiers. Scanning is free.
If you wish to photocopy you can use the self-service machines to top-up your credit, or you can add credit to your account remotely. You can also credit your account at the Reader Services Desk.
You may prefer to place a digital imaging request or use personal cameras.
Image by @AlicetheCamera for Cambridge University Libraries