Library collections
The Library contains approximately 40,000 books, of which approximately 8,000 belong to our rare books and special collections, and a DVD collection. We subscribe to several journals (mostly in Law). You are welcome to consult our Collections Policy.
All items are described on Newton, the University's online catalogue. Please ask Library staff if you would like any help.
The undergraduate library is arranged according to Dewey Decimal Classification. Books are classed by a sequence of numbers according to their main subject and sub-division of that subject, followed by the first three letters of the author's name. The list below shows the Library location for each subject.
DVDs are shelved outside the office, either on the display stand or on the shelves.
Subject arrangement in the library
| African History |
960-969 |
First floor |
| American, Canadian & Latin American History |
970-980 |
First floor |
| American Literature |
814-819 |
Ground floor |
| Ancient History |
930-939 |
Landing |
Archaeology
|
930.1 |
First floor |
| Anthropology |
301 |
Extension |
| Art & Architecture |
700-730 |
Ground floor
|
| Australasian History |
993-996 |
First floor |
| Biology |
570-599 |
Ground floor |
| British History |
941 |
Landing/First floor |
| Chemistry |
540-549, |
Ground floor |
| Computer science |
000-009 |
Ground floor, immediately left at foot of stairs |
| DVDs |
|
Ground floor display shelf |
| Education |
370 |
Extension |
| Engineering |
620-629 |
Ground floor |
| English Literature |
820-829 |
Ground floor |
| European History, general |
940 |
Landing |
| Far Eastern History |
953-958 |
First floor |
| Geography |
910 |
Landing |
| Geology |
550-559 |
|
| German literature |
830-839 |
Ground floor |
| Greek literature (classical) |
880-889 |
Ground floor |
| History, world |
909 |
Landing |
| Latin literature |
870-879 |
Ground floor |
| Law |
340-349 |
Extension |
| Languages and linguistics |
400-499 |
Extension |
| Management |
658 |
Ground floor |
| Mathematics |
510-519 |
Ground floor |
| Medicine |
610-619 |
Ground floor |
| Medieval and modern literature |
830-899 |
Ground floor |
| Music |
780 |
Ground floor |
| Natural Sciences |
500-599 |
Ground floor |
| Philosophy |
100-199 |
Extension |
| Physics |
520-539 |
Ground floor |
| Reference |
Ref 001-999 |
Ground floor centre aisle (O Ref = Old Library) |
| SPS |
300-337 |
Extension |
| Theology & Religion |
200-299 |
Extension |
| Veterinary Science |
636 |
Ground floor |
But the book isn't on the shelf!
Check the catalogue to see if it is lent. If so, contact the Office and we will contact the current borrower to see if it can be shared or returned.
"Returned" - Is it on a trolley waiting to be shelved?
What is the location? Books with the locations "Extension stack" or "Old library stack" won't be on the shelves as they are held in store. Just ask a member of staff or email us and you will be able to consult the book in the library.
Is the book missing? If so, let us know you need a copy, staff we will see if we can find another copy for you.
Please let staff know if you have any difficulty in locating a book.
The College currently subscribes to a few journals (see below). To search the University's holdings of print and electronic journals, click here and use the Journal title search. To search the University's holdings of electronic journals only, click here.
The College Library currently subscribes to the following print journals:
All England Law Reports, Queen’s Bench Division, Appeal Cases, Family Division, Chancery Division, Cambridge Law Journal, Criminal Appeal Reports, Criminal Law Review, Law Quarterly Review, Modern Law Review, Public Law, Weekly Law Reports, Le Nouvel Observateur,
Back copies of other print journals are also available and can be found by searching the Catalogue under Journal title.
Rare books
The Library holds more than 4,000 rare and special books on a variety of subjects but especially in theology and archaeology. Virtually all rare books have been catalogued and can be searched for on the Newton P-W catalogue, the books in our Special Collection (19thc church and missionary history) have short records only. A spreadsheet listing all titles is available on the Library intranet page.
Suggest a book for the library
Can't find what you want? We welcome suggestions from Selwyn Fellows and students for purchases for the library. Just email us on lib@sel.cam.ac.uk, or fill in the online form from the headings at the top of the page. Please remember that it may take up to 3-4 weeks for books to be delivered and processed but we will keep you informed of progress.
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