Unlimited access to knowledge from your University of Cambridge Libraries
As a University of Cambridge student, you have a vast network of University of Cambridge Libraries and library services to support you, with limitless access to knowledge and inspiration.
Your college library
For everyone in your college, and central to your college experience.
Faculty and department libraries
Libraries for your subjects, with multiple copies of the books on your reading list, and subject-specialist librarians. The libraries are all unique with their own character, and you are welcome to use study space across the network of libraries.
The University Library
A national research library, with millions of books, maps, manuscripts, photographs and priceless objects, spanning thousands of years of human thought and discovery, in more than 4,000 languages.
Your blue University of Cambridge card is your library card, and your Cambridge student login (often called a Raven login) gives you access to all the digital resources and online services.
We have regular tours and skills training, an Accessibility Service, and you can always ask us anything – if in doubt, ask a librarian. We'll either know or we'll know how to know!
E-resources
University of Cambridge students and staff have unparalleled access to learning resources. E-resources are available from anywhere, using your Cambridge login.
iDiscover
The single search point for all our print and online collections & resources. Available online from anywhere.
ebooks
Access to over 1.75 million ebooks (and counting). Hundreds of new ebooks added throughout the year.
ejournals
Access all the best journals across all subjects. Find research articles by journal title or browse by subject.
Databases
Search over 1,500 databases, spanning subjects A-Z. More added throughout the year.
Newspapers
Access to British and international newspapers, including current and archive issues.
Apollo
Research outputs from the University of Cambridge, including theses and research data.
Cambridge Digital Library
Our special collections digitised for everyone to view online. More collections added all the time. Images can be downloaded.
Archive
Search
Archives and primary sources located in the city of Cambridge, and how to access them, with digital resources where available.
Electronic
Legal Deposit
A history of everything published digitally and online. Access via terminals onsite at the libraries. Currently offline but back soon.
Top tips
LibKey Nomad is a browser extension that links you to full text articles whenever they available through Cambridge Libraries, wherever you search online. You only need to authenticate once via your Cambridge/Raven login in any new browser session.
Lean Library automatically detects when you are on a website that you have subscription access to through University of Cambridge Libraries.
iDiscover is your first step for finding material. You can search on terminals in any of the libraries or online from wherever you are. Sign in to see your loans and if a record says to order material you can do this online in advance.
Key resource guides are Cambridge LibGuides, and Library Essentials. You can bookmark this update too.
Physical collections
Cambridge University Library is a national research library and a legal deposit library, and that means we have the right to request a copy of every publication in the UK and Ireland, for people to use now and to preserve for future generations.
Cambridge University Library has been collecting in this way since 1710 and boxes of books continue to arrive every week.
Faculty and department libaries have the full range of subject-specific materials for your course, including multiple copies of everything on your reading lists, and beyond. The Architecture and History of Art Library even has its own building materials library with physical samples.
When you borrow a book from a University of Cambridge library, it will automatically renew until someone else requests it. It's good for your living space and headspace to bring books back once you're finished with them, but you don't need to worry about library fines here.
World Collections
Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Near and Middle Eastern, South Asian, African and more. We have material in more than 4,000 languages.
Special Collections
A collection of the rarest material, in manuscript, printed and artefact form, including a 4,200-year-old Sumerian clay tablet.
Maps
Maps throughout the ages of towns, countries, and oceans – and of planets, the moon, and even fictional places such as Lord of the Rings. The Map Room is a treasure trove for many subjects.
Skills training
We run courses for academic and research skills, from critical reading to depositing your thesis.
You can also book one-to-one sessions tailored to your needs, from finding a book to help with a literature search.
To book a one-to-one session email reference@lib.cam.ac.uk or ask your librarian.
All skills courses are available to all University of Cambridge students and researchers.
Orientation tours
Whether you are a new student or need a refresher, librarians and reader services at all University of Cambridge Libraries will be happy to show you around and answer any questions you have (now and throughout your time at Cambridge).
All libraries offer resources, support, free WiFi, and a range of different study spaces.
The University Library runs guided tours throughout the year. Book your place online or email readerservices@lib.cam.ac.uk
For borrowable material from the University Library, there is also a Click & Collect service. Books are collected at the desk in the entrance hall (with step-free access).
Cambridge Libraries Accessibility Service
We have a dedicated accessibility team, resources, and step-free access. Email the team for a tour tailored to you, any questions, or anything you need: disability@lib.cam.ac.uk
University Library in autumn (Photo: Joanna Hudson)
University Library in autumn (Photo: Joanna Hudson)
University Library entrance hall
University Library entrance hall
First floor landing with iDiscover terminals at the University Library
First floor landing with iDiscover terminals at the University Library
First floor catalogue landing at the University Library
First floor catalogue landing at the University Library
University Library Main Reading Room
University Library Main Reading Room
University Library Main Reading Room
University Library Main Reading Room
University Library Rare Books Reading Room
University Library Rare Books Reading Room
University Library South Reading Room
University Library South Reading Room
Cambridge University Library Tea Room
Cambridge University Library Tea Room
Height-adjustable desks in many areas, including the University Library North Reading Room
Height-adjustable desks in many areas, including the University Library North Reading Room
What's new
Endless Stories
A new exhibition for this term, part of the University Library's events and exhibition programme.
In 1632, Cambridge University Library was transformed by an extraordinary collection of manuscripts in a dazzling array of languages, including Arabic, Hebrew, Persian and Malay. Collected by a visionary thinker, Thomas Van Erpe, and on display for the first time, these unique items and the stories they tell shine a light on a 400-year-old quest for knowledge through the languages of the world. Find out more.
Stephen Hawking Archive
The scientific and personal archive of Professor Stephen Hawking has been fully catalogued and is now available.
Poems on the Underground Archive
Hundreds of posters, eclectic memorabilia and letters from some of the greatest poets of the past century.
Women's Magazines Archive
A new archive of leading 'women’s interest' consumer magazines, from 1846 to 2005. Scanned high-resolution colour issues, providing key primary sources for events, trends, and attitudes during this period.
August 1940 issue of Woman’s Day. 'Men have to be humoured' by Eleanor Roosevelt.
East African Magazines, Newspapers and Films: The Hilary Ng'weno Archive
The archive is a collection of full-run magazines, newspapers, and films from the legendary Kenyan journalist Hilary Ng’weno. (All Africa Commons content is made open access and available free across Africa).
The Seeley Library in the Stirling Building
The Seeley Library in the Stirling Building
Work on the West Room for the Seeley Library
Work on the West Room for the Seeley Library
Work on the West Room for the Seeley Library
Work on the West Room for the Seeley Library
Work on the West Room for the Seeley Library
Work on the West Room for the Seeley Library
Illustration of new Stirling Building
Illustration of new Stirling Building
The Seeley Library move
The Seeley Library will temporarily move into a dedicated and newly designed space within the University Library after term ends in December 2024, until work on the Stirling Building is complete.
The iconic Stirling Building is home to the History Faculty and the Seeley Library, which holds collections for History, Politics & International Studies, Sociology, Land Economy, and Latin American Studies.
All the collections will still be available, managed by the same Seeley Library team. The Seeley Library will operate from inside the University Library on West Road, a 5-minute walk from where the Seeley is now.
We're here to help you
Librarians can be your guides to anything you need to know.
Visit any of the libraries or email library@lib.cam.ac.uk
You don't need to know it all now. We're here throughout your time at Cambridge.
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