Library

The Maitland Robinson Library was designed by the architect Quinlan Terry and opened in 1993. The Library is available for use by all current students at the College. Members of other Colleges and visitors may not use its facilities unless they have obtained permission through the Fellow Librarian.

The Library receives various periodicals via the SCR, including The Economist, New Scientist, New Statesman, Spectator and others. These can be found on the reverse of the new books display, near the self-issue terminal - back issues can be found by lifting the display shelves.

New book stacks have been introduced in the basement. The new racking is easy to use by rotating the handles to move the shelves. The OPAC terminals, formerly near to the staff office, have moved. One is now on the Punch trolley, near the self-issue machine; the other is now in the back corner of the ground floor, near the Engineering section.

The Library catalogue

The Library catalogue can be accessed via the OPACS in the Library and it is also available online (a Raven password is required). When searching the catalogue use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to increase search results and for greater precision. Books can be renewed and reserved through the online library catalogue. The reader code required for login is the five letters shown on the back of your University card (for example, ABC12) below the bar code.

A vast range of online resources are also available via eresources@cambridge (a Raven password may be required for access).

Computer Facilities

There are MCS computers on the ground and first floors. In addition readers can bring in personal laptops; sockets are available in the floor throughout the Library and the Library is a wireless environment with Eduroam and UniOfCam access.

An MFD is located in the basement corridor with which readers can print, photocopy and scan. Instructions are available here or at the Library front desk.

Borrowing and Renewals

The borrowing limit is 20 books; to borrow in excess of that please go to the issue desk during staffed hours. During full term the loan period is two weeks. Books can also be borrowed over the vacations and are then due at the start of the following full term.

Books can be renewed online through the Library catalogue until they become overdue. Once the due date is passed there is a three-day grace period before fines begin to accrue; please contact library staff, by email or in person, to request a renewal of overdue books. This can also be done by replying to overdue notification emails. However, renewals are not possible from full term into the vacation loan period; please ensure books are returned before holiday borrowing starts (usually the last Thursday of full term). It isn't necessary to bring books into the Library to have them renewed.

If you want to borrow a book whose status is listed as 'cataloguing', please contact staff who will be able to rapidly process it for you.

Opening times

Michaelmas and Lent Full Term

Staffed Hours: 9:30am - 5:30pm weekdays only
Card Access: 8.30am - 2.00am

Easter Full Term

Staffed Hours: 9:30am - 5:30pm weekdays only
Card Access: 8.00am - 2.30am

Weekends during full term will be staffed by student library supervisors from 11:30am-5:30pm. Certain services — such as access to locked cabinet books — are only available during staffed hours.

If the library is locked at a time when it should be accessible by card the porters will be able to let you in.

Outside Full Term, access to the library can be gained by card from 8.30am until 11.30pm, including use of self-issue and self-return facilities. When outside of full term the library continues to be staffed for the most part between 9.30am — 5.30pm, albeit more variably.