Welcome to Queens' College Library

Queens' College has two libraries which, together, offer a wealth of learning and historical resources that are located in some of the oldest parts of the College. The War Memorial Library is the working library that supports the studies of current members of College. The Old Library houses Queens’ special collections of manuscripts and early printed books.

The War Memorial Library

This is housed in our original medieval chapel that has been refurbished to provide modern facilities in beautifully preserved surroundings. It is located in Old Court and all current members have an entrance key and 24 hour access throughout the year. There is no public access but old members and visiting scholars can visit by arrangement with the College Librarian.

Finding Books

The collection comprises textbooks and periodicals relating to all tripos subjects and some post graduate courses. It also includes reference and local collections and bound copies of past exam papers. The catalogue can be searched online via the  Newton catalogue, which is hosted by the University Library and includes the holdings of most college and departmental libraries http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/UnionCatalogue/V_OPAC.htm .The College library has two enquiry terminals that allow searches of Newton and of our internal Heritage catalogue, which shows whether books are available for loan and allows readers to make reservations.

A list of recent additions to the College Library can be found here.

Queens’ uses the Bliss classification scheme and subjects are ordered alphabetically according to class mark. The sequence begins on the ground floor, which houses all subjects excluding Classics, Modern and Medieval Languages, English and Law. The Library has several levels and subject locations are listed in the lobby.

Borrowing, Reserving and Renewing Books

You are allowed to borrow a maximum of 10 items for 14 days and can issue your own books, using your University card, at the terminal in the lobby. Overdue notices and recall letters are sent by email. Failure to return books will attract fines. Books can be reserved electronically at one of the two enquiry terminals. Renewals can be made at the issue terminal or by emailing the Librarian.

Purchase Requests

You can request a book by completing one of the request cards that are kept next to the enquiry terminals in the lobby. If the book is not on a Part One departmental reading list you must ask your Director of Studies to sign the card.

Equipment

A photocopier, microfiche readers and a typewriter are available in the lobby. Rechargeable photocopy cards are available from the Library Office. The photocopier can enlarge and reduce, and can do A3 copies, but cannot be used for acetate sheets. Laptops can be used in the Law Library and on the mezzanine. The College provides extensive computing facilities for members in the Essex Building.

Library Rules

Please respect these rules, which aim to preserve a range of resources and a pleasant environment. Breaking them will disturb other students and attract fines.

• The Library is open to all current members of Queens’ College and to old members and visiting scholars by appointment.
   
• No food and drink, with the exception of water in sippable bottles.
   
• No use of mobile phones in any part of the Library, including the stairs and the lobby. Please switch off before you come in to avoid disturbing other readers.
   
• No smoking.
   
• Removing books that are not issued will be regarded as theft and will attract disciplinary action, fines and cancellation of borrowing rights.
   
• Marking books is not allowed. Damage to books will incur the cost of replacement.

Suggestions

The Library is a focus of learning for all College members and can provide links to many other local and external resources. Please do not hesitate to contact the College Librarian for advice or to offer suggestions for improvement.
Email: librarian@quns.cam.ac.uk

Contacts and Library Staff    

Fellow Librarian and Keeper of the Old Library: Dr Ian Patterson

College Librarian: Mrs Karen Begg

Library Assistant: Mrs Miriam Leonard

Tel. 01223-335549.

Fax 01223-335533.

Email: librarian@quns.cam.ac.uk

The Old Library and Special Collections

The Old Library is open on a number of formal occasions throughout the year, when members of College can bring guests. There will usually be an exhibition with a printed catalogue and dates will be advertised. The College Librarian arranges less formal visits for current members on Wednesday afternoons during full term. Private visits and talks about the collection can also be organised. Specific items within the collection can be consulted by written appointment with the Librarian.

Old Library History

The Old Library was founded in 1448 and, although none of its original collection remains, it contains many important manuscripts and early printed books, and some beautiful bindings. It has benefited from generous bequests, notably the Isaac Milner bequest of eighteenth century French mathematical works and the Renaissance humanist library of Thomas Smith. It also contains a representative collection of the works of Erasmus. A fuller history is available for reference or purchase from the Library Office.

The Cohen Collection

The Cohen Collection includes books, pamphlets and other material that were bequeathed to Queens’ by J.M. Cohen, translator and literary reviewer. The books had been acquired as gifts from the authors or as purchases during visits to Spain and Argentina in the 1950s and to Mexico and Cuba in the 1960s and early 1970s. They include signed copies of works by writers of the first Cuban revolutionary generation, limited editions and many works by women, most of which were previously unrecorded in the West. There is an extensive supporting collection of Soviet Russian literature, and studies on literary criticism and poetry, the pre-Columbian American past and Nahuatl literature. Ephemera such as typescripts of poetry, newspaper cuttings and letters are included.

The Kennett Library

This is a collection of Old Testament and Semitic texts bequeathed by Robert Hatch Kennett in 1932. It is now housed and administered in the Oriental Faculty Library, to which all enquiries should be addressed.

The Local Collections

These contain books concerning the history and customs of the town and University of Cambridge, and archive material relating to Queens’. Many items are available in the War Memorial Library and can be borrowed. Older, rarer items are housed in the Old Library and can be viewed on request.

The Members’ Archive

This is a collection of works by past Fellows and past members of the College. Additions are welcome.

College Archives and Muniments

Most records relating to the College’s history and estates prior to 1800 are housed and administered in the Archives Department of the University Library, to which all enquiries should be addressed.
 

Last updated 21st January 2004