Library

The Maitland Robinson Library provides a quiet place to study is open for many more hours in a day than the faculty libraries, due to it being staffed by students outside working hours.
The Library catalogue may be accessed online (from within the College network) at http://library.dow.cam.ac.uk/

Opening hours

During term:

The libary is open from 8:30am - 2:30am during the Easter (exam) term, and from 8:30am-2:00am in the Michaelmas and Lent terms.

Outside usual office hours, the Library is invigilated by student supervisors who sign up for a single evening shift which runs until 8.30 pm. This is paid work.

After 8.30 pm access to the Library can be gained using the University card.

Books cannot be borrowed when the library is not staffed i.e. after 8.30pm

During holidays:

In vacations the Library is usually open, although in very quiet times the front door may be shut when staff are busy on the upper floor. Outside Full Term the library reverts to office hours (8.30am to 5.30 pm) although access can be gained by card until 11.30pm.

Please note that the above arrangements are subject to change, although every effort will be made to inform the student body of any alteration, whether it is temporary or permanent, by notice on the JCR website and via email.

Borrowing books

Students may borrow up to ten books for any 2 week period, or over the vacations.  Books are checked in and out using your college card.  Overdue fees are charged to your college bill at a rate of £1 per overdue notice received for each book that is overdue.

Facilities

The catalogue is fully computerised, with online terminals available within the library.  The terminals are connected to the Internet so students can check the Newton and UL catalogs.  Note: At present the library does not use the Newton system, so you will not be able to access the Downing catalogue from computers outside of the college network (e.g. in faculty computer rooms or at home). However you should be able to access the library from your College room and in the College computer room.

Photocopying is available in the libary book stacks, located in the basement.  Cards of value £1-£10 can be purchased from the library front desk.  The more expensive cards can only be sold by the full time library staff, during normal working hours.

Library Stocks

The Library currently stocks around 38,000 books, aiming to include as many of the set texts recommended for undergraduate courses as possible.  The library staff are always open to recommendations.  To recommend a book, fill in a from in the library, or speak to a member of staff.

A modern fiction section has recently been introduced.  You can also loan films to be viewed elsewhere (these are mostly for the MML European Cinema Paper at present)

Exhibitions

There is always an exhibition in the Library, just to the left of the main entrance, which is well worth a look.  The current exhibition is in celebration of the Library's tenth anniversary and contains information about the benefactor, and the construction of the library.  Head over there to find out more!

Page last updated on 15 Apr 04 (twh23)