Coming into the library

How to get to the Library

• The library is situated behind First Court. You can access the library by First Court. First Court is at the main College entrance where the Porters, the Chapel and the Buttery are situated. 
• On the side where the  Buttery is situated, there is a narrow corridor leading to the Library patio and the library entrance.
• There is no signage above the corridor entrance to indicate that the corridor in First Court leads to the Library.
• The library entrance leads you to the Ground Floor where there is a ramp with uneven paving.
• The door of the library is heavy and may need assistance to open or keep open. 
• The library has a disabled access door on the Ground floor (in the library corridor) where you have access to ramp and lift to bring you to the library’s Reading Room on the 1^st floor.

Porters or staff can help you access the library.

Floors are not situated in sequence.

Floor 3 is the bottom floor of the library. Floor  2 is above floor 3, and the Reading Room on Floor 1 is above floor 2. If you enter through Floor1 you will need to go down the stairs to enter floor 2 and 3. If you use the disability door you can enter directly to floor 3 and use the lift to access all floors. The top floor is the mezzanine.

Books on each floor are color coded 

Ground Floor : No books 

Floor 1: Yellow label on book spines 

Floor 2: Blue label on book spines

Floor 3: White label on book spines 

Space

• The library has a disabled access door on the Ground floor (in the library corridor) where you have access a ramp and lift to bring you to the library’s Reading Room on the 1^st floor
• We can send you pictures of the library before your visit, to help you become familiar with the library’s layout in advance or you can have a look at our Library Space webpage.
• We can work with you to see how we can accommodate your particular needs

Finding, Borrowing, Returning Books

• We can reserve books for you and have them ready for collection in the Reading Room on Floor 1, Porter’s lodge or elsewhere, if necessary
• We can remotely access your library account to help with any issues
• We can extend your book loans to 28 days at a time (our usual loan period is 14 days)

Library Equipment

• We have a selection of ergonomic equipment in the library, along with helpful resources such as coloured paper/ notepads/overlays to help with visual stress. We have a list of all the ergonomic equipment available in the library Reading Room, Floor 1.

Appointments

• We can arrange an individual meet-and-greet with a member of the library team either in person, by phone or by video call. Non-medical workers or support workers are welcome to join in.
• We can offer a 1-1 introduction to the library to help you get accustomed to the library’s space, procedures and resources. Again, non-medical workers or support workers are welcome.

• Individual adjustments: For any individual adjustments please ask a member of staff for help either in person, by email (library@christs.cam.ac.uk ) or give us a call (01223 334905/ 01223 334950). We could also arrange a video call. We can arrange and organise your visit beforehand.

• Outside of staff working hours : Library staff are available Monday-Friday, 9-5. Outside of working hours Porters are available to offer assistance to library users. Please contact the Porters in person (24/7 helpdesk at the Christ's College entrance) or call (01223 334900). We currently do not have a phone on Floor 1, Reading room for calls.

• Bringing someone with you? : If you are bringing someone with you and they are not a member of Christ's, make sure to let staff know before your visit to the library. For Non- medical worker information please visit our page.

• IT Support : During term, IT support is normally available 9.30am-4.30pm Monday-Friday in the Library IT Support Office, located on the Library’s Mezzanine (top floor). The top floor has some accessibility issues like a narrow corridor and lift access only during staff hours. Please contact IT support by email helpdesk@christs.cam.ac.uk  or library staff for alternative arrangements. 

Contact staff

Email: library@christs.cam.ac.uk

Tel: 01223 334905/ 01223 334950

Contact Porters

24/7 helpdesk

Tel: 01223 334900

Contact IT Support:

Email: helpdesk@christs.cam.ac.uk

• You can find, borrow and return books. 
• You can print, scan and copy using your DS account. We have colored paper for printing.
• You can use your laptop.
• You can have a quiet study space. 
• You can use our Group study Room for individual studying.
• You can use ergonomic equipment like adjustable chairs, writing slopes and laptop stands, provided by the library.
• You can talk to a member of staff that can help you with your library visit before or during. Or if you just want a friendly chat.
• You can use remote services like library staff checking your library account, reserving books for you and ebooks.

• Become familiar with the space. Our Library Space Page will give you all the information you will need including photos and descriptions of our library space.

• Use our Additional Library Services. These services can limit the amount of time you spend in the library

• Send us an email so we can fetch and reserve all the books you need for you. Please include any identifiable information like title and author.

• Do I have all the equipment I need for my library visit? If you need special adjustments please let us know. Additionally we have an Accessibility Collection with ergonomic equipment and coloured paper/ notepads/overlays located on the first floor.

• Plan your visit beforehand. Ask a member of staff for help either in person, by email (library@christs.cam.ac.uk ) or give us a call (01223 334905/ 01223 334950). We could also arrange a video call. 

• Are you bringing someone along to help you? If they are not a member of Christ's, make sure to let staff know before your visit to the library. For Non- medical worker information please visit our page.