Accessibility and Welfare

Magdalene New Library is committed to supporting all students with their studies. 

We provide accessible study spaces, inclusive resources, and library support.

Equipment

The New Library offers a range of equipment for students to use, including book stands, laptop stands, docking stations, writing slopes, and blankets. Earplugs are available during Easter term. These items are kept on the ground floor. A standing desk converter is located by the bathrooms. If there is anything else that would be useful, please let us know.

Click and Collect

The Click and Collect service is available to all students, enabling you to reserve library items via our Click and Collect Form, including material from the Main Library collections and restricted locations such as ‘Reserve Stock’ and ‘Office’.  Library staff will retrieve these items and loan them to your account, for you to collect from the ‘Reserved Books’ shelf near the entrance on the ground floor.

All students can also use Click and Collect for items listed under 'Reserve Collection'.

Individual bookable desks

Three desks, one on each floor, are available for students who have disclosed a Student Support Document to the Library. These can be booked in advance for morning, afternoon, or evening slots on weekdays. Consecutive slots can be booked, and reservations open one week in advance.

• You can check availability and make a booking on the Cambridge Libraries Calendar.
• You can arrive at any point during the timeslot.
• These desks are available to any student while they are not booked, a sign on them will indicate when they are booked.
• Ground Floor desk has a standing desk converter.  

The collections listed below are on the ground floor. If you’d like to suggest an item for purchase, please use our Recommending Items Form.

Welfare and wellbeing

A collection of books to help you learn new skills and support your wellbeing, from recipe books, to bike repair guides and mental health toolkits. Browse the Life Skills & Wellbeing Collection in iDiscover.

Study skills

Books to support academic and career skills, including research, writing, referencing, exam preparation, CV writing, interview preparation and career planning. Browse the Study & Career Skills Collection in iDiscover.

Board games

A growing selection of board games is available for short-term loan (4 days). These are for borrowing only and should not be played in the Library. Browse the Board Game Collection in iDiscover.

Welcome to Cambridge

Books about Cambridge: the university, the city and the wider county, to help you familiarise yourself with your new surroundings. Browse the Welcome to Cambridge Collection in iDiscover 

Modern Literature

A section for modern literature in English, plus graphic novels and genre fiction. Look out for displays here highlighting works of modern literature from the World Languages and Literatures section. We hope this section will provide you with an opportunity to escape the reading list and read for pleasure as well as study!

The Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre provides confidential advice and support for students with disabilities and accessibility needs.

You can inform the University about a disability through the Tell us about your disability Student Information Form. This allows you to request reasonable adjustments for academic work, access assistive technology, and receive further support. You can submit a Student Information Form at any time, including before you arrive at Cambridge.

Cambridge University Libraries Training - A calendar showing the various research skills sessions available, including sessions for postgraduates, Phd and MPhil students. 

Documentary Delivery Services - The homepage for a range of services including scan and deliver, inter-library loans and e-legal deposit.

UL Click and Collect - All current staff, students and registered members of the University Library can use their Click and Collect service to request 5 books at one time.

Ebooks Libguide - Information about how to request and access ebooks, e-resources, and alternative formats. 

Cambridge Libraries Accessibility Libguide - Provides information about accessibility and libraries, including spaces, equipment, alternative formats and the University Wellbeing ebook collection.

Acoustic booths - Booking link for the individual soundproof booths in the UL and Faculty Libraries. 

Sensus Access - A free resource which converts PDFs, JPEGs and other files into an e-book, text file, audio or braille.

AccessAble - Provides accessibility guides for locations and venues across the UK.

Calling All Minds - Pulls together useful resources, programs, tools and guides.

Flora App - A time management app to help with distractions. Block apps and notifications while you grow a virtual tree on your phone, build up a forest and unlock new trees as you focus! 

Open University Study Skills - Provides guidance and resources to support academic and life skills.

NaturalReader - A free text-to-speech conversion tool.

Study Skills: Reading on Screen - A LibGuide providing help and tips on managing screen reading and reducing fatigue.