Privacy notice
Cambridge University Libraries use your personal information:
- to carry out our statutory functions supporting teaching, learning and research (e.g. providing access to or answering enquiries about our holdings)
- in order to deliver our contractual obligations to you as a user of library services (e.g. responding to orders for digital images)
- in accordance with the consents you have given us which you can withdraw at any time (e.g. in connection with extended borrowing rights)
- to fulfil legal obligations (e.g. protecting copyright)
- to improve on and keep in touch about our services (e.g. the availability of a book you requested)
- in pursuit of our legitimate interests (e.g. managing the Friends of Cambridge University Library).
In connection with your registration and use of the library as a reader, we may share your data with the Colleges.
The full range of services is set out on our website http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk and our library rules are at http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/using-library/joining-library/rules.
For more information about how we handle your personal information, and your rights under data protection legislation, please see https://www.information-compliance.admin.cam.ac.uk/data-protection/general-data.
Website privacy policy
This page also explains what personal information we gather when you visit the specific website within the University of Cambridge domain called Cambridge University Library.
The information published here applies to the use of your personal information by the University of Cambridge through the viewing or use of its site.
When you visit any of the websites within the University of Cambridge domain we hold certain information about you for service and security reasons. For more information on this, please see http://www.cam.ac.uk/about-this-site/privacy-policy.
In connection with certain library services this site asks you to provide information about yourself via forms. We gather this information so that we can process reader registrations, inter-library loans, enquiries and feedback, reprography requests, philanthropic donations and membership, newsletter distribution and attendance at events and training, and to protect copyright. We use this personal data in accordance with the legal bases set out in the privacy notice above.
Cookies
The Cambridge University Library uses cookies to enhance website functionality and user experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that can be used to remember preferences, track user behaviour, and improve website performance. Some of our services, like Raven authentication, rely on cookies for core functionality. The core pages mostly begin www.lib.cam.ac.uk but also include:
Types of Cookies Used:
- Essential Cookies
Necessary for website functionality, such as maintaining user sessions and enabling secure transactions. - Statistics Cookies
Used to collect anonymous data on website usage to understand user behaviour and improve performance. - Embedded content
we sometimes embed video and map content from other websites such as YouTube and Google maps. As a result, when you visit a page containing such content, you may be presented with cookies from these websites. The Cambridge University Library does not control the dissemination of these cookies and you should check the relevant third party's website for more information.
How to disable cookies
Your web browser will have an option you may select that will block cookies. Below are links to information about popular web browsers and how to block cookies using them.
Further information about cookies, including how to disable or delete them, can be found at AboutCookies.org. Please note that disabling cookies may prevent our website from functioning correctly in your browser.
This page was last updated in August 2025.