skip to content

Cambridge Libraries

 
Address: Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1ER
Telephone: (3)36552
Email: library@spri.cam.ac.uk

archives@spri.cam.ac.uk

Web: http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/library/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/scottpolar
Online Catalogue: iDiscover
Location map: University Map
Staff:
  • Librarian: Mr Peter Lund, BSc, MSc, Dip. Lib., AFHEA.
  • Archivist: Ms Naomi Boneham
  • Senior Library Assistant: Nicola Hudson
  • Library Assistant: Florence Sutton
Admits: The Polar Library is open to members of the University and anyone with a polar research interest. Visitors are requested to register in advance of their first visit. The Polar Library is a reference only library.
Stock: The library is the world’s premier polar information centre within a university setting. It holds an extensive collection developed since the 1920s with over 93,000 catalogued items covering all subjects relating to the Arctic, the Antarctic and snow and ice wherever found.  Holdings include monographs in over 90 languages, maps, atlases, pamphlets, dissertations, DVDs, print periodicals and microforms.
Special collections:
  • The Thomas H Manning Archive holds an extensive collection of unpublished journals, letters and other manuscripts relating to the exploration of both polar regions.
  • The Library holds over 2,000 books and other items in special collections relating to the history of polar exploration and glaciology including the Breitfuss collection - over a thousand largely Russian and German language books, pamphlets and maps collected by the German marine biologist and polar explorer Leonid Breitfuss (1864-1950) and the Seligman collection consisting of bound volumes of glaciological papers.
Services: An e-legal deposit terminal, a microfiche/film scanner, and a DVD player are available for use. The library also has Internet access and Wi-Fi coverage. A self service multi-functional device is available for scanning and photocopying. The Archives offer a reprographics service (including photography of fragile items). Access is provided to Arctic & Antarctic Regions database for employees, students, registered patrons, walk-in patrons and other affiliated users.
Opening hours: Term and vacation: Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm, unstaffed between 1pm and 2pm

 

Libraries by subject