Cambridge Libraries
Cambridge has several free libraries including a Central Library which has an entrance at ground floor level in the Lion Yard shopping centre, and services on the three floors above.
Opening Times
The Central Library is open to the public from 9 am. till 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9 am till 5.30 on Saturdays and is closed on Sundays and some public holidays.
Monday 9.00-7.00
Tuesday 9.00-7.00
Wednesday 9.00-7.00
Thursday 9.00-7.00
Friday 9.00-7.00
Saturday 9.00-5.30
According to Cambridgeshire County Council:
"Cambridge Central" is a large, busy library offering a wide range of
services, both on its own account, and in partnership with other agencies. It
occupies an excellent, accessible position in the city centre from which it
serves the local population, the wider city and, through its networked and
specialist services, the county of Cambridgeshire as a whole. In spring 2008,
an entirely new Central Library will open, occupying essentially the same
site, but as part of the 450,000 sq ft Grand Arcade shopping centre.
The Reading Room contains a good supply of newspapers and periodicals, including French and German publications, and readers may consult from the open shelves the latest issues of various directories, annuals, encyclopaedias, and dictionaries.
Free Internet access is also available (requires a library card) and various additional electronic services are also available for a fee including fax facilities and printing.
The total stock of books in the Central Library is 159,000 volumes, namely about 76,000 in the Lending Department and about 83,000 in the Reference Department.
Adult books 62630
Junior books 13508
Reference books 82935
Total: 159073
The Reference Department contains, in addition to the most important works of reference, a large and valuable collection of local literature, maps, plans, portraits, and prints, also a good Shakespeare collection, and a dramatic collection.
The Central Lending Department contains a good selection of books in all classes of literature, the most important new books being continually added. There is also an extensive CD collection.
Locations of other libraries
- Arbury Court Library, Cambridge
- Bar Hill Library
- Barnwell Road Library, Cambridge
- Bassingbourn Library Access Point
- Bottisham Library Access Point
- Buckden Library
- Burwell Library
- Cambourne Library
- Cambridge Central Library
- Chatteris Library
- Cherry Hinton Library, Cambridge
- Comberton Library
- Cottenham Library
- Ely Library
- Fulbourn Library Access Point
- Gamlingay Library Access Point
- Great Shelford Library
- Haddenham Library Access Point
- Histon Library
- Huntingdon Library
- Linton Library
- Little Downham Library Access Point
- Littlehey Prison Library
- Littleport Library
- March Library
- Melbourn Library Access Point
- Milton Road Library, Cambridge
- Moor Play, Huntingdon
- Papworth Library
- Ramsey Library
- Rock Road Library
- Ross Street Family Community Library
- Sawston Library
- Sawtry Library
- Soham Library
- Somersham Library Access Point
- St. Ives Library
- St. Neots Library
- Swavesey Library Access Point
- Warboys Library
- Waterbeach Library Access Point
- Whitemoor Prison Library
- Whittlesey Library
- Willingham Library
- Wisbech Community House/ Oasis Centre
- Wisbech Library
- Yaxley Library