Cambridge University Library

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Cambridge University Library@theul· 18d

It’s never too late to return a library book... even after 60 years. This book recently came back to the library after six decades out in the wild! Just graduated and forgotten to return a book? If you can’t make it back to Cambridge, use our freepost returns service: https://loom.ly/wf0LwIs

A hand holding a red hardback book titled "Gramatica Castellana Nebrija" on a library shelf, returning or removing it from a row of bound volumes with classmark labels.

Cambridge University Library@theul· 18d

The Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 have begun! 🥇 Scotland has hosted the Games on four occasions: Edinburgh twice, in 1970 and 1986, and Glasgow twice, in 2014 and this year. These leaflets from the Royal Commonwealth Society Collections at the UL are from the 1970 Edinburgh Games (RCS 1-11f).

Vintage souvenir brochure for the 1970 Commonwealth Games titled "SCOTLAND 70". The central cover shows an illustration of athletes walking past Edinburgh Castle under a sky filled with colourful flags from participating nations, flanked by red and blue promotional booklets.

Cambridge University Library@theul· 20d

Women, Water and Wellbeing 🌊 Join us for an online event that explores the power of water. Our panel will share the moments that shaped their relationship with water and inspired a deep sense of belonging. 📅Tuesday 25 August ⏰7-8pm 📍 Online 🎟️ Free & open to all: https://loom.ly/sKnsc6E

Cambridge University Library@theul· 21d

Today marks 100 years since Rudyard Kipling donated a manuscript of his poem ‘If—' to Cambridge University Library. Later this year, the manuscript will go on display at Kipling’s family home, Bateman’s in Sussex. MS Add.6850. England, c. 1910

Cambridge University Library@theul· 26d

We think this is a medieval footie fan off to apply liberal use of vuvuzela. England fans may be glumly updating the lyrics of Three Lions (64 years of hurt!) but we hope you enjoy the last World Cup weekend. Image: Fragmentary Psalter (MS Add. 4085). Flanders, late 13th or early 14th C.

A close-up detail of a colourful medieval illuminated manuscript illustration. It features a stylised figure wearing a long blue tunic. They are performing two tasks at once: blowing into a small trumpet or pipe held in one hand, while simultaneously holding a round tambourine or tabor drum in the other. To the left, fragments of ornate Latin script in dark brown and red ink are visible on the aged parchment background.

Cambridge University Library@theul· 27d

Many years ago, a snake shed its skin in Norfolk. A clergyman and naturalist, Revett Sheppard, found it and pasted it into his ‘Naturalist’s Calendar’. Sheppard (1779-1830) began his ‘Naturalist’s Calendar’ in 1798, when he was a young student in Cambridge. #WorldSnakeDay MS Add.9839/22/1

A high-angle, close-up photograph of an open historic manuscript journal or notebook. Pressed onto the left-hand page, under the heading "May", is a preserved piece of textured, golden-brown shed snake skin, showing distinct rows of small diamond-shaped scales alongside larger, horizontal belly scales.

Below the snake skin, an inscription in elegant cursive ink handwriting reads: "Part of the slough of a snake which I found in the channel fen at Barton in Norfolk famous for rare Insects and plants and much resorted to by me at the time I was with Mr Forby."

Cambridge University Library@theul· 28d

Summer nights at Vauxhall Gardens: the scene of many a debauched Regency romance! Which brings us neatly to this month's Really Popular Book Club choice: Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer. 📅28 July ⏰7-8pm 📍Online 🎟️ https://loom.ly/v5CD4a0 🎨The Microcosm of London, 1808 (Harley-Mason.a.3-5)

A book illustration from the early nineteenth century depicting Vauxhall Gardens. We see a decorated, multi-tiered stage with musicians. Many people in evening wear mill around the stage, dancing and chatting.

Cambridge University Library@theul· 29d

Visiting Cambridge this summer? Add our exhibition, Living Water: Poetry, Art and the Fight for Clean Rivers, to your itinerary! The exhibition is hosted across Cambridge University Library and Pembroke College. 🎟️ FREE entry 🔗 https://loom.ly/64SyJug

Promotional graphic on a dark green background announcing an exhibition. At the top right are the logos for Cambridge University Library and Pembroke College Cambridge, noted as "Hosted in partnership with".

The text is arranged on staggered, overlapping horizontal blocks:

A light grey block reads: "Free exhibition open to all"

An olive-green block reads: "Living Water" in a large, elegant serif font

A teal block reads: "Poetry, Art and the Fight for Clean Rivers."

At the very bottom is a cropped, textured gold artwork depicting organic, water-like or branch-like patterns.

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jul 13

A 'Red Admirable', which we now call a Red Admiral! From Drawings of English Butterflies by Sir Thomas Gage (1781–1820) Vol. I, 1799 (Hengrave 61).

A photograph of an open book showing an old hand-coloured drawing of an orange butterfly. We also see a page of text about the butterfly, a Red Admirable

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jul 10

Accurate representation of us watching an England World Cup match. How about you? Anxious mess, or riding the rollercoaster with your hands in the air? 👇 The nervous lion is from the Cambridge University Library Bestiary MS Ii.4.26, an English manuscript from the early 13th century.

A medieval manuscript page showing a rather nervous-looking lion, set against a patterned background.

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jul 10

Wimbledon finals beckon! Whether you're on the courts, the sidelines, or the sofa, we hope it's a grand slam of a weekend 🎾 The two dapper ducks are from Cecil Aldin's Merry Party (1913) CUL 1913.9.183

A vintage illustration of two anthropomorphic yellow ducks dressed in dapper 1920s tennis attire, walking side by side with wooden tennis rackets slung over their shoulders, set against a muted green background.

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jul 9

This month's Really Popular Book Club choice is Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer. Join us to discuss the novel with Heyer superfan, Dr Emily Clarke, University of Cambridge. 📅Tuesday 28 July 2026 ⏰7pm to 8pm 📍 Hosted online 🎟️ Free and open to all: https://loom.ly/v5CD4a0

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jul 8

Congratulations to @rbrks.bsky.social, the 2026 Gordon Duff Prize winner 🥇 Find out more about the annual Prize and this year's winning essay: https://loom.ly/xZZOdOc

A photograph of Reanna Brooks, the 2026 Gordon Duff Prize winner. The photo was taken on a bright, sunny day. Reanna stands in front of a green hedge, with a blue sky behind her. She holds a bound copy of her prize-winning essay and is smiling into the camera.

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jul 8

Happiness is when your illuminated Venetian Breviary is deliciously on-brand for the second week of Wimbledon. 🍓🎾🍓 This stunning page features little strawberries set against a gold-leaf background. It comes from a Breviary printed in Venice in 1490. Inc.6.B.3.47c[3693].

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jul 6

For the avoidance of doubt, this is just a picture of a lion, and nothing whatsoever to do with misplaced optimism following recent footballing events.🤫🦁⚽ This majestic lion is from The historie of foure-footed beastes by Edward Topsell. London, 1607. SSS.1.9

A detailed 17th-century woodcut illustration of a lion from Edward Topsell's The Historie of Foure-Footed Beastes (1607). The lion is depicted from the chest up, resting its front paws on a ledge. It has a highly stylized, anthropomorphic facial expression with intense, wide eyes, a prominent brow, and a thick, wavy mane flowing around its head and neck. The print shows visible text bleeding through from the reverse side of the paper, and the bottom of the image shows the blurred text of an open book page.

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jul 4

Did you know that the melody of America’s national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, originated in a London gentlemen’s club? Discover more in this video! #America250 #US250 #FourthOfJuly250 Music shared with the kind permission of The Star-Spangled Music Foundation.

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jul 3

We are delighted to be one of 19 global partners on the STARDAST project. Funded by @horizoneu.bsky.social, the project strives to give development opportunities and greater recognition to data stewardship practices. https://loom.ly/UUKSns8

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jul 2

How do our bees keep themselves cool in hot weather? 🐝🐝🐝 Bees don't just collect pollen; they gather water. They drink it up with their straw-like tongues before heading back to the hive, where they spit it out and fan it to cool things down. Clever bees #CambridgeUniversityLibrary #UrbanBees

A photograph of the beehive at Cambridge University Library. The hive is open, and we can see lots of bees on the wooden frame. In the background is the main library building, set against a bright blue sky.

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jun 30

Charles Darwin changed how we see our place in nature – but how did he build his theories? 🗺️🌱 We’re currently cataloguing his personal library, full of annotations and notes that chart his transformation from a curious student to influential scientist. Find out more: https://loom.ly/xeloI8E

A composite image: the background is an aged, yellowed manuscript page filled with handwritten cursive notes in dark ink. In the top left corner is a sepia-toned circular portrait of a young, clean-shaven Charles Darwin. Text overlay reads: "A major new project is underway at Cambridge University Library to create an online catalogue of Darwin's personal library."

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jun 29

Happy centenary to Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. First published in June 1926, it’s a stone-cold classic that changed crime fiction forever. Have you read it? Let us know in the comments – but please, no spoilers for those lucky enough to be reading it for the first time 🤫

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jun 26

Thank you to everyone who came to our Library Late last week. 🌙 Our visitors wrote poetry, snipped collages, played board games – and the conversation FLOWED. What an evening! ✨ Sign up to our newsletter to make sure you hear about all our events: 📨 http://eepurl.com/hYo5c5

Lots of people milling about in front of Cambridge University Library.

A DJ at her decks in Cambridge University Libary

Two people completing an activity by an open window in Cambridge University Libary

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jun 26

Join us for an evening with Dr Mark Wormald, curator of Living Water: Poetry, Art and the Fight For Clean Rivers. 📅THURSDAY 9 JULY 2026 ⏰5.30PM to 7PM 📍 Cambridge University Library 🎟️ Tickets are free, booking is required: https://loom.ly/Nha1DvU

A promotional graphic on a dark green background advertising a "Free public exhibition." The top features the title "Living Water: Poetry, Art and the Fight for Clean Rivers" alongside an illustration of a winding river with a small fish. The bottom text reads: "THURSDAY 9 JULY, In Conversation with the Curator, Dr Mark Wormald."

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jun 26

Phew, it's hot! Some of our Faculty and Departmental Libraries are making adjustments to cope with the extreme heat. Changes to opening hours or services may be necessary at short notice. Please check in with your library before travelling! Keep cool and stay safe, everyone. 📷 Tc.52.51

A black ink woodcut illustration of a sun with a human face on aged, textured paper. The sun has a stern facial expression with wide eyes and a down-turned mouth. Alternating straight, pointed rays and wavy, flame-like rays radiate outward in all directions from the central circular face.

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jun 25

Rumour, intelligence and propaganda Ian Dubrowsky has spent five weeks delving into our Chinese Collections to support his research into industrial disasters and labour in Maoist China. 🔗Read more about Ian's experience as WongAvery Visiting Scholar: https://loom.ly/_pe2pSg

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jun 25

May Balls: how fares thee the morrow after the eve afore? Which image do you most relate to? #MayBalls #YeOldeHangover #MedievalMemes #CambridgeUniversityLibrary

A grid of four square panels numbered 1 through 4, containing hand-drawn medieval manuscript illustrations against a textured cream background.

Panel 1 (Top Left): Shows a figure with short blonde wavy hair wearing a brown tunic, leaning forward and extending their hands outward over a green bowl.

Panel 2 (Top Right): A close-up of a figure with blonde wavy hair wearing a brown tunic, looking toward the left with wide eyes and a downcast, troubled facial expression.

Panel 3 (Bottom Left): Depicts the top of a blonde-haired figure's head looking straight up at a large sword.

Panel 4 (Bottom Right): A figure in a reddish-orange tunic holding a golden platter. Atop the platter rests a disembodied head wearing a white hood or coif, which faces left with a neutral expression.

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jun 24

Be more West 4 🧊 It's one of the coolest places in the UL. Need some other spots to cool down in our building? 👇 ➡️The Commonwealth Room ➡️The East Asian Reading Room (AOI) ➡️South Wing Study Hub ➡️The exhibition space ➡️The tea room ➡️A shady spot in the courtyards

An interior view of a modern library study area with rows of bookshelves and study desks.

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jun 24

We’re hiring! Library Storage Facility Forklift Driver/Picker Cambridge University Library Storage Facility (LSF), located in Witchford, Ely, is looking for 2 enthusiastic and diligent people to join its team. Apply by 5 July: https://loom.ly/7TpyJsY

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jun 24

“The idea of the Libraries Alliance formed around a simple belief: the power of libraries through life.” 📚 Read more about the values and goals of the Libraries Alliance in this new blog post by Dr Jessica Gardner, Cambridge University Librarian: https://loom.ly/zz32ayI.

A photograph of Dr Jessica Gardner at Cambridge University Library. Jess is seated at a table, looking directly into the camera. In the background are shelves packed with books and objects.

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jun 23

We’re hiring: Liaison Librarian (CST/CEB) The Liaison Librarian will deliver library services across Cambridge West, with particular responsibility for Computer Science and Technology (CST) and Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CEB) Apply before Sunday 5 July: https://loom.ly/K9_PH_M

A close-up, slightly high-angle shot shows a person's hands writing with a yellow pencil in a notebook. Overlaying the bottom portion of the image are two light teal rectangular text blocks. The top block reads "We’re hiring" in black text, and the lower, larger block reads "Liaison Librarian (CST/CEB)" followed by "University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives" in a smaller font below it.

Cambridge University Library@theul· Jun 23

400 years ago today, a codfish was gutted at Cambridge Market. 🐟 Inside it was a tiny book containing Protestant texts from the early years of the English Reformation. Was this a providential message from God, a piece of political propaganda or an elaborate hoax? Music by Julius H. from Pixabay