CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
We s t R o a d , C a m b r i d g e , C B 3 9 D R
01223 333000
w w w. l i b . c a m . a c . u k
Introduction to the Library
Welcome to Cambridge University Library, the main library of the
University and one of the great research libraries of the world. The
collections hold around eight million items spread across more than
200 miles of shelving and are growing all the time. This guide has been
prepared to help you on your first visit.
Catalogues and information
PCs displaying the Library Information Point are located throughout
the building, giving quick access to opening times, a Library map and
details about photocopying and scanning services. They also provide
tips on the classification scheme and links to the wide variety of training
offered by the Library, along with the Library catalogue.
The catalogue is available in two formats, Librarysearch which offers
a simple keyword-focused search interface to the catalogue, and
Newton, based on a traditional card index, allowing users to browse
lists of authors, titles, subject headings etc. Both catalogue formats
cover resources across the University of Cambridge and, whilst
in the building, you may find it helpful to limit your search to results from the main University Library.
Once you have found the record for the item you require, take a note of the classmark (the unique number
given to each book) and the location. This will either be on the open shelves (which you go to yourself ) or
the item will need to be requested from one of our nine reading rooms. Requests for books fetched to the
Reading Room and West Room can be made via the catalogue prior to visiting the Library. If an item is on
loan you can place a recall for it.
The catalogue holds records for all material published since 1978 and
earlier items which were considered to be of academic importance at
their time of receipt. Some pre-1978 items (for example novels) are
only recorded in the Supplementary Catalogues, located in the Reading
Room Corridor South.
In addition the Anderson Room (Music Department), Commonwealth
Room (Official Publications Department), East Asian Reading Room,
Manuscripts Reading Room, Map Room and Rare Books Room have
separate catalogues for certain categories of material.
Borrowing
Members of Cambridge University, including academic staff and graduate
and undergraduate students, have borrowing rights. Borrowable books
are issued at the Reader Services Desk.
Handle with care
The Library’s books are valuable and often irreplaceable. Damage to them means that the information they
contain may be lost to future readers. Please use bookmarks rather than folding a page corner, inserting a
paper clip or gummed note or leaving a book face down.
Electronic and digital resources
Digital Resources Access (DRA) is provided on computers spread throughout the building. These require a
DRA account which can be created when you first join the Library, or you can apply for one later using any
Library Information Point, or online (www.lib.cam.ac.uk/draform.php).
Your default DRA username and password is the five character borrower code om your card (e.g. VL102) for
both.
To change your default password log on to a DRA PC, press the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys and then click on
Change Password. Enter your old password, then your new password and re-type the latter to confirm.
DRA computers provide access to the internet (including nearly 400 databases and over 30,000 electronic
journals to which the Library subscribes) and Microsoft Office.
Current members of the University can access electronic resources away from the Library by using a RAVEN
password, issued by the University Computing Service.
You will be allocated 20 MB of space on the networked ‘O’ drive (additional space can be provided on
request, if required). This is the default drive for saving files and can be accessed from any computer on the
Library DRA PC network. Do not save to the desktop, My Documents or any other location on the PC hard
disk, as they are periodically deleted. You are responsible for backing up your own data (for example to a
USB flash drive).
Printing can be requested from DRA computers
in the West Room and Commonwealth Room.
Before printing you must add credit to your DRA
account (see following page).
Please log out when you have finished by pressing
the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys simultaneously, then
click log out followed by OK.
Laptops You can use your own laptop in most
parts of the Library. Laptops should be silent;
please turn off all start-up and shut-down noises
before you visit.
Wireless There are wireless hotspots in the Anderson Room, Catalogue Hall and adjacent rooms,
Commonwealth Room, Manuscripts Reading Room, Map Room, Reading Room, Rare Books Room, South
Wing, Tea Room and West Room.
University members use their RAVEN password to connect; all other users will need to apply for a password
in the Reading Room.
For further details please visit www.lib.cam.ac.uk/dra/
Photocopying and scanning
Your Digital Resources Access (DRA) password also operates the Library’s Multi-Functional Devices (MFDs),
used for photocopying and scanning.
Self-service MFDs are located in the Photocopying Room at the end of the North Wing Corridor and in the
Commonwealth and West Rooms (for material restricted to those rooms). To use the MFDs you will first
need to add credit to your DRA account (see below).
To log in to the MFD, if you have a blue University card, hold the card against the card reader. If you have
a white University Library card, log in by entering both your username and password on the touch screen.
When you have logged in to your account, your credit balance will be displayed on the screen.
Full instructions on the operation of the MFDs are available adjacent to the machines in the self-service
Photocopying Room, Commonwealth Room and West Room. Please log out from the MFD when you have
finished using it.
If you require assistance with the MFDs, please contact Imaging Services in person or by using the telephone
in the self-service Photocopying Room.
For further details please visit www.lib.cam.ac.uk/deptserv/imagingservices/
Adding credit to your Digital Resources Access account
Credit can be purchased at the Imaging Services counter during normal office hours or from the Revaluation
Machine in the self-service Photocopying Room.
To log in to the Revaluation Machine, if you have a University card, hold the card against the card reader
then enter your password on the touch screen. If you have a white University Library card, log in by entering
both your username and password on the touch screen.
Self-service copying
A4 black & white, 10p / sheet
A3 black & white, 20p / sheet
Self-service scanning
A4 or A3 black & white or
colour, 8p / scan
DRA printing
A4 10p / sheet
(Minimum charge £1.00)
Security
Large bags and laptop cases are not permitted in the Library. Please use the Locker Room. Clear Library
carrier bags can be bought from the Entrance Hall. Please look after your valuables; don’t leave laptops or
personal items unattended.
Still feeling lost?
You can visit the General Enquiries Helpdesk near the entrance stairs or ask any member of staff for further
help. We also run a range of Research Skills courses.
For further details please visit www.lib.cam.ac.uk/courses
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
COMMONWEALTH ROOM
(Floor 3)
OFFICIAL
PUBLICATIONS,
INTER-LIBRARY
LOANS
and
MICROFORM
READING ROOM
MANUSCRIPTS
READING ROOM
(Floor 3)
W
W
IMAGING
SERVICES
(Ground Floor)
WEST FOUR
(4th Floor)
Disabled
Toilet
TOILETS
1st Floor - Ladies
2nd Floor - Gents
3rd Floor - Ladies
4th Floor - Gents
W
READING ROOM CORRIDOR SOUTH
BIBLE
SOCIETY
GENERAL
ENQUIRIES
DESK
SOUTH
FRONT
ANDERSON
ROOM
W
SOUTH
COURT
MUSIC
DEPARTMENT
W
READING ROOM CORRIDOR NORTH
SUPPLEMENTARY CATALOGUES
W
NORTH
COURT
Disabled
Toilet
ENTRANCE
HALL
NORTH
WING
TEA
ROOM
W
W
Toilet (ladies)
EAST
ASIAN
READING
ROOM
W
Toilet (gents)
(Access to
floors 3-6 only)
TOILETS
1st Floor - Gents
2nd Floor - Ladies
PHOTOCOPIERS
3rd Floor - Gents
4th Floor - Ladies
READING ROOM
CATALOGUE HALL
SOUTH
WING
THE
ROTHERHAM
BUILDING
W
NORTH WING CORRIDOR
Chinese
Office
SOUTH WING CORRIDOR
ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY
AREA
Japanese
Office
Disabled
Toilet
WEST ROOM
THE AOI
PAVILION
MUNBY RARE
BOOKS ROOM
(Floor 1)
NORTH
FRONT
MAP
ROOM
W
Lift
Lift and
staircase
Staircase
Areas to which
the public is
not admitted
Wireless
networking
available
Fire Exit
Fire alarm procedure
The University Library has a modern fire alarm system which ensures that the building can be evacuated in
a safe and timely manner. In the event of a fire there will be a loud and continuous alarm:
•Please leave the building immediately via the nearest fire exit. Exits are signed throughout the
building
•Do not use the lifts in the event of a fire alarm
•Please note that during an evacuation the Locker Room will be closed and it will not be possible
to retrieve items from this area
Readers with disabilities
Readers who consider themselves to have difficulty walking or using stairs are advised to remain on the
first floor of the Library after 17:00 (Monday to Friday) and on Saturdays to ensure a quick evacuation in the
event of a fire alarm. Please note that the Library does not have any designated fire refuges.
Reading Room staff are happy to fetch items from other floors for use in the evenings and on Saturdays.
To request items or for general information about assistance available for disabled readers, please visit the
Reading Room or email reference@lib.cam.ac.uk.
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan
Readers with disabilities who may need assistance with evacuation are advised to contact the Entrance Hall
to discuss a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP).
Email:admissions@lib.cam.ac.uk
Tel: 01223 333030