Overview of the academic book collection
The contents of the Library are classified according to a modified version of the Dewey Decimal Classification scheme (20th edition). Each book bears a classmark at the top of the spine, and a running number at the bottom, indicating its position on the shelf. The collection is shelved in ascending numerical sequence, beginning immediately to the right of the Librarian's office, and proceeding clockwise around the Library. For reasons of space, some oversize books are shelved out of numerical sequence, and can be found in the oversize section in the bay overlooking the President's Lodge at the far right hand end of the Reading Room.
Reference books are kept in the bay to the left of the Library Assistant's office. They are broadly grouped by subject, in line with the Dewey scheme, and are clearly marked with black and red 'Reference' stickers. These books must not be removed from the Library. If you wish to photocopy from one of these volumes, please speak to the Librarian, or fill in the Photocopy request form on the shelf outside her office.
Occasional books in high demand in the main sequence have 'Reference only' status. Again, these are clearly marked, and must not be borrowed. Photocopy arrangements apply as above.
Acquisitions
Many of the books bought for the Library each year are selected from the Faculty and Departmental readings lists distributed to College libraries during the summer. A significant proportion is also purchased in response to suggestions from students. Suggestions to support taught courses at undergraduate and masters (MPhil, LLM, etc.) level are given priority, but we also welcome suggestions from research students for titles with broad appeal.
You will find printed Suggestion slips on the shelf outside the Librarian's office (leave completed slips in the wire tray), and we also welcome book suggestions by email andonline. Please supply as many details as possible about the book you wish to recommend, and include your own contact details so that we can keep you informed of the progress of your suggestion.
Suggestions are acted on as soon as possible, and in many cases a new book will be delivered within a week to a fortnight after ordering. However, please note that we cannot guarantee a fast turn-around for all books, so please try to plan ahead and recommend books you know you are going to need in good time.
Recent accessions
New books are displayed on the shelf outside the Librarian's office for a short period (typically between a week and a fortnight) before being shelved in the main sequence.
Subscribe to an RSS feed of new titles added to the catalogue, updated daily.
Periodicals
The Lee Library takes very few periodicals, since there is a vast periodical literature readily available across the span of libraries elsewhere in the University, and/or online.
Our current subscriptions to academic serial publications in hard copy are all in Law:
- All England Law Reports
- Cambridge Law Journal
- Criminal Law Review
- Law Quarterly Review
- Modern Law Review
- Reports of Cases before the Court of Justice [of the European Communities] and the Court of First Instance
- Weekly Law Reports
College also subscribes to a number of general interest periodicals, which are displayed with the daily newspapers in the Karen Spärck Jones Room. Penultimate issues are transferred to the Periodicals display stand in the Library, to the left of the bust of Tan Sri Dr Lee Kong Chian, and back issues are kept for up to one calendar year.
Please note that periodical parts may not be borrowed or otherwise removed from the Library, expect to be taken to the basement for photocopying, after which they should be returned immediately.
A large range of electronic journals is available via the University Library's ejournals portal. Start your search at ejournals @ cambridge for full access to all subscription material, and for information on the date ranges available.
