External researchers and visitors

External researchers

The Library welcomes enquiries and study visits from academics, students and specialist researchers who wish to examine items from the historic collections as part of a research project.

To arrange an appointment to consult special collections material please email library@cai.cam.ac.uk with an outline of your project and details of the items you wish to consult. Library staff will request a letter of introduction for reference. Appointments are generally available within the opening hours of the Lower Library:

Monday – Friday 9.30am – 12.45pm and 2.15pm – 4.45pm

Photography for personal reference only is permitted on request.

Permission to publish text or images from the collections may be requested from the Fellow Librarian. If granted, high quality photographs can be supplied by arrangement with the Digital Content Unit of the University Library and may incur a charge. 

Visitor Access

Visiting times for the Upper Library are between 9:30am-12:45pm and 2:15-5:00pm Monday to Friday.

Alumni and current members of the College are welcome to visit the Library and to bring guests during staffed hours. Drop-in visits can often be accommodated, but contacting us in advance of a visit is preferable.

All visitors should report to the Porters’ Lodge on arrival where they will be directed to the Library and admitted by a member of Library Staff. The Library is based in the Cockerell Building, separated from the College’s old courts by Senate House Passage.