Your guide to University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives
Welcome to a new academic year. University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives can help you find your way – we're librarians, we can find anything!
We are a network of over 30 libraries across the University of Cambridge, each unique, and together sharing knowledge and resources across all subjects.
The largest library in the network is Cambridge University Library: a national research library and one of the UK’s legal deposit libraries (meaning we preserve a copy of every book published in the UK and Ireland). Everyone is welcome and students are pre-registered.
Faculty and department libraries are libraries dedicated to your subjects, with copies of the books on your reading list and subject-specialist librarians.
Colleges each have a college library that is open to everyone in that college.
Your blue University of Cambridge card is your library card and your Cambridge login (often called a Raven login) gives you access to the digital resources and online services from anywhere.
"I think most people think we work in libraries because we love books, which we do, but we love helping people more."
Jo Harcus, Philosophy Librarian, Casimir Lewy Library, Faculty of Philosophy
Digital resources
University of Cambridge students and staff have unparalleled access to learning resources. Digital resources are available from anywhere, using your Cambridge login.
iDiscover
The libraries catalogue: search point for (just about) everything. Available online from anywhere.
ebooks
Access to over 1.75 million ebooks (and counting). Thousands 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
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, how to access them, and digital resources where available.
Electronic
Legal Deposit
Collection of UK and Ireland online publications. Interim solution gives access again. Search via iDiscover and access on terminals onsite.
Top tips
iDiscover is your first step for finding material. You can search on computers 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.
LibKey Nomad is a browser extension that links to full text articles whenever they are 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 Cambridge Libraries.
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.
We also care for collections and archives, spanning the globe and human history.
Faculty and department libraries have the full range of subject-specific materials for your course, including 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, 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.
Collections and Archives
World Collections
Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Near and Middle Eastern, South Asian, African and more. We have material in more than 4,000 languages.
Find out more about World Collections
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, oceans, planets, the moon, and even fictional places. A treasure trove for many subjects.
"The most challenging thing, for a special collections librarian in particular, is helping people overcome the feeling that these books aren’t ‘for them’. The University Library is genuinely for everyone, and it’s the most amazing resource to have on your doorstep as a student."
Emily Dourish, Deputy Keeper of Rare Books and Early Manuscripts, Cambridge University Library
Skills
All our skills courses are free for University of Cambridge students and researchers.
You can choose as many as you'd like.
Some are taught courses and some you can download straight away.
Academic Skills
An Introduction to Critical Reading: Breaking it Down, Searching the Literature, and Note Making (different to note taking) and many more.
Research Skills
Academic Writing Workshops, plus new courses for this year include Publishing your First Monograph and Working with Personal and Sensitive Data.
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.
College libraries and faculty and department libraries also run additional specialist skills courses.
Help with your academic writing from our Royal Literary Fund Fellow
Whether you’re having an essay crisis, your PhD chapter isn’t working for you, or you’d like someone to cast an eye over a section of your latest book, the University Library’s Royal Literary Fund Fellow can help.
Cambridge alumnus, biographer and professional writer, Alexander Masters is available to all current University of Cambridge students and staff, whatever your subject or level of study, to offer free personalised advice on any aspect of academic writing, in a confidential and friendly environment.
To book a 50-minute one-to-one meeting either in person at the University Library or online, please email: alexander.masters@rlfeducation.org.uk
Alexander Masters, the UL’s Royal Literary Fund Fellow
Alexander Masters, the UL’s Royal Literary Fund Fellow
Academic Writing Month
November is Academic Writing Month and we have a host of skills courses to help.
- Academic Writing Workshop
- Critical Reading for Research in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM)
- Note Making for Research in STEMM
- Publishing in Journals for Beginners in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS)
- Publishing in Journals for Beginners in STEMM
- Publishing your First Monograph
- Strategic Reading and Note Making for Researchers in AHSS
Library tours
Librarians and reader services at all the libraries will be happy to show you around and answer any questions you have throughout your time at Cambridge.
The University Library runs guided tours throughout the year. Book your place online or email readerservices@lib.cam.ac.uk
Help desk at Cambridge University Library
Help desk at Cambridge University Library
Library video tours
The University Library is big but we promise it's not scary. View our video of what to expect when you arrive.
Cambridge University Library Tour: how to get in. If this video doesn't display, you can accept cookies or view on YouTube.
In addition to the famous Main Reading Room, the University Library has so many different types of study spaces, to suit any mood or project, and with the sheer size of the UL (as it's often called) there's always space for you.
Cambridge University Library: study spaces. If this video doesn't display, you can accept cookies or view on YouTube.
All libraries offer resources, support, free WiFi, and a range of different study spaces.
"Students often approach us saying 'This is probably a silly question but...' or, worse still, they don’t ask at all thinking they’re at Cambridge so they should be able to figure it out for themselves. Please do ask us – it’s what we’re here for. That question you think is 'silly' is often the most instructive and gives us the insight we need to adapt or explain what we do more clearly to make libraries as accessible and inclusive as possible."
Jo Harcus, Philosophy Librarian, Casimir Lewy Library, Faculty of Philosophy
Accessibility Service
We have a dedicated accessibility team, resources, and step-free access.
A guide to library accessibility services for students.
Watch the library videos above, email the team for tours tailored to you, and ask any questions and for anything you need: disability@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). This service is open to all students.
University Library entrance hall
University Library entrance hall
What's On
Curious Cures
Exhibition: Medicine in the Medieval World.
Come and see just what the doctor ordered ... in medieval times.
Open until the 6 December 2025, this exhibition will transport you back to a time when unspeakable ingredients and questionable remedies rubbed shoulders with surprisingly complex theories about how the human body functioned.
Book your free tickets, open Monday to Saturday.
Exhibtions at the University Library are free and open to all, so you are welcome to bring your family or friends when they come to visit. Step-free access is available.
The Really Popular Book Club
Join the group, library staff, and an expert on the novel, to discuss a really popular book. Hosted on Zoom every month, the Really Popular Book Club is completely free and open to everyone. People attend from all over the world.
Tuesday 30 September: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Tuesday 28 October: Dissolution by CJ Sansom (link coming soon!)
View the events calendar, including Comedy Improv at the Library on 20th November (booking opens soon).
Follow us on social media
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news, events, and resources – as well as any service updates. You can can find Cambridge University Library on all social media channels.
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
