LATEST INFORMATION - UPDATED 20/09/21
Welcome to new and returning students
We look forward to seeing you in the Library soon. Have a look at our guide for new students, our welcome video above (with subtitles) or get in touch if you have any questions.
Access
Wolfson Library is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Wolfson members are welcome to study and browse the collection.
Borrowing
If you are resident in Cambridge, you can borrow from Wolfson Library. Alternatively, you can use Wolfson's Request and Collect for up to 5 books per day. Many other libraries are offering similar services such as the University Library and Faculty and Departmental Libraries. If the book you require is on loan to someone else, please see if there is an e-copy available or Request it (you need to be logged in to do this). If you need a small section of the book, you can request it from the Scan and Deliver service, run by the University Library.
If you are not resident in Cambridge, please check our extensive range of resources either by title in iDiscover or by browsing the A-Z database listing. There is a really useful e-books LibGuide if you need further support with them, or get in touch if you have any questions.
Returning books
If you are in Cambridge: the Wolfson book returns box is in the Reading Room. For non-Wolfson books, please use the book-drop boxes in front of the University Library or on the Sidgwick site (near the English Faculty and Lady Margaret Hall).
Requests were turned on on 05 October. This means that someone can request that the book you have borrowed is returned within 3 days. You will receive an email to your Cambridge account. Please return the book as soon as possible. If you still need the book, let me know and we might be able to get another copy.
In quarantine or self-isolation?
The Wolfson library has services to help you through your quarantine period including book delivery and loans of jigsaw puzzles (we also have a number of online jigsaw puzzles too). Please see the guidance for students who must quarantine for more details.
The Building and its benefactor
The Lee Seng Tee Library was opened in 1994, a gift from Mr Lee Seng Tee of Singapore, a major benefactor of the College. It was designed by architects Brewer, Smith and Brewer, and particular objects of interest on each floor include:
- On the ground floor foyer a scale model of the armillary sphere on the roof of the Peking Observatory
- In the basement a bookbinder's press with a distinctive triskelion lever, in use at a Cambridge bookbindery until 1982
- On the first floor, a bust of Tan Sri Dr Lee Kong Chian, father of the benefactor.
The Sir David Williams Room (SDWR) is a study space on the ground floor of the Library named in honour of the College's former President, the late Sir David Williams (Wolfson President, 1980-1993).
The Gordon Johnson Room (GJR), opposite the SDWR on the ground floor of the Library, houses the College's computers on the University MCS network. Dr Johnson was Wolfson President from 1993-2010.
Over the years, donations have helped the Library acquire essential books and journals to support our students' education. You can join our community of supporters by making a gift to the Library through our Annual Giving Campaign - on the donation form, please choose 'Other' and specify 'Library'. If you would like to find out more, please get in touch with our Development Office.
