We are keen to ensure that the College Library meets your individual needs. Please feel free to come and talk to us at any time. We arrange tours of the library for all new students in October, however, we are always happy to meet you one-to-one to offer a personalised introduction to the library.
Borrowing books
All College Library loans automatically renew, so you can keep items for as long as you need them, as long as they are not requested by another reader.
At the start of each month you will receive a ‘Borrowing Activity Letter’ by email, with a list of the items on loan to you from all Cambridge Libraries. This is for your information only, no action is required.
If an item you have on loan is requested by another reader, you will receive an email asking you to return the item within 3 working days. If you are unable to return the item for any reason, please get in touch with us as soon as you can, and we will try to make other arrangements to fulfil the request.
Disabled access
There is step-free access to the Bracken Library reading room. The Wolfson Hall toilets are also located on the ground floor. The nearest wheelchair accessible toilet is on the main concourse.
We regret that there is no wheelchair disabled access to the Bracken Library Gallery or the Bevin Library. If you need help accessing a resource in one of these areas, please contact the Library team.
The bookshelves in the library are tall, and the higher shelves are reached with the aid of kick-stools. If you have any difficulty accessing the shelves, please let us know as we can fetch books for you.
Standing desk and other ergonomic aids
There is an adjustable workstation in the Lloyds Computer Room, which can be raised to a standing height.
Book stands, laptop stands and reading lecterns are available at the entrance to each reading room, also blankets and stress balls (to alleviate study stress and hand strain from extended typing). We also have a small number of LED desk lamps with adjustable colour-spectrum and light intensity. Ergonomic aids can be used anywhere within the library reading rooms, please do not remove them from the library.
Cambridge Libraries Accessibility Service
The Libraries Accessibility Service is a new service established in November 2020, based at the University Library.
The service works across the Cambridge library network to ensure that library users have equal access to services and resources regardless of their accessibility needs.
