Library Overview

Your College Library offers a dedicated space for study, access to resources across all subjects, and support from knowledgeable staff. This page provides key information to help you make the most of the Library’s services.

Opening Hours and Access

The New Library is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout term time and vacations, providing round-the-clock access to study spaces and resources. Entry is via your University Card and is restricted to Magdalene College students, you can also use the University and Faculty Libraries.

Before your first visit, ensure your card is activated by scanning it on the reader outside the Porters’ Lodge. The Library is fully accessible, with automatic doors, a lift to all floors, and disabled bathrooms on each level.

Library Staff

College Library staff are on hand to help students make the most of the Library and its resources. Whether you need assistance finding materials, using databases, or have any other queries, the team is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Visit the staff desk or email library@magd.cam.ac.uk.

Important updates are shared via email, so be sure to check your inbox. The Library also regularly updates its webpages, social media, and blog (@magdlibs) with news, resources, and announcements.

JCR and MCR student representatives are members of the Libraries Committee, which meets once a term to discuss policies related to the College’s libraries. If you have suggestions or concerns about the College Library, you can raise them with your representatives, who can bring them to the committee’s attention.

Library Rules

The Library rules are in place to provide a safe and welcoming environment that is conducive to study for all users and staff:

• The Library is for current Magdalene members only. You may not borrow books on behalf of non-members or bring non-members to work in the library although you can bring in visitors to see the library during vacation periods.
• All items must be borrowed before you take them out of the Library.
• You are responsible for borrowed items until they are returned. If a returned item is lost or damaged (containing markings, stained etc.) you may be charged for a replacement copy.
• The Library is primarily for silent study. Please take conversations and phone calls into the social space or outside.
• Drinks can be brought in lidded containers but reusable cups are preferred. Magdalene Eco Travel Cups and water bottles are available to purchase in the Library. Food should only be eaten in the social space.

Studying in the Library

The New Library offers over 90 study spaces, including individual desks, group desks, comfortable seating, and window seats. For breaks, the Rowan Williams Room provides a dedicated social space with a kitchenette where food and drink are allowed.

A Group Study Room with six seats is available for booking, providing a dedicated space for group work. Additionally, three individual desks can be reserved by students with a disclosed student support document. For details on booking the Group Study Room, visit the Studying in Library page, and for information on individual desk reservations, see the Accessibility and Welfare page.

Searching and locating items in the Library

The Library collections can be searched using iDiscover. Each book has a classmark, a number indicating its location within the Library.

Maps are displayed on the walls, and you can view or download a PDF version below.

For more detailed guidance, visit the Library Collections and Finding Items page, or speak to a member of staff if you need help locating items.

Borrowing and managing your Library account

You can borrow up to 12 items at a time from the College Library and up to 200 items across all University Libraries.

Loans automatically renew every seven days unless another user requests the item or until you return it. If an item is requested, you will have three days to return it.

Board games can be borrowed for four days during term time and cannot be renewed.

The Library operates a self-service system for borrowing and returning books, with self-service stations available on the Ground Floor and Second Floor.

For more details on borrowing and managing your Library account, watch the video below or visit the Borrowing and Managing your Library Account page.

Do I have access to other Libraries?

During your studies, you will have access to at least three libraries: the College Library, Faculty (subject) Libraries, and the University Library. You will be automatically registered with the relevant Faculty Libraries, but you can contact others if you wish to register.

Each library has its own rules, opening hours, and borrowing rights. You can find details of every library in Cambridge on the Cambridge Libraries Directory.

College Libraries are only open to their own members.

The University Library has produced a short introduction video about Cambridge libraries, which may be helpful.