Library

History of the Library

The original constitution of the Cambridge Union Society stipulates that there should be a library of some sort within the building, furthermore the constitution states that the facilities of the society including the library should '...promote both the academic and recreational interests of students of Cambridge University.'

The Union's library is named after John Maynard Keynes, the famous economist, Fellow of King's College and former President of the Cambridge Union Society (Lent 1905).

The Keynes Library is situated within the Society's famous buildings which were designed by Sir Alfred Waterhouse in 1866, with the part of the building now occupied by the library being added in 1886. The Victorian style of high ceilings and tall windows make the main library areas light and airy, with both rooms having wonderful views across to St. John's College Chapel. It is a beautiful and relaxing setting for members to read and relax in, with plenty of study space, power points and wireless internet connection for use with laptops.

The library's diverse collection includes the largest selection of borrowable fiction in Cambridge outside the University Library. The library also has sections of books in English literature; drama; poetry; classics; biography; politics; popular science; economics; philosophy; Oxford & Cambridge history; local history; sport; travel and humour, as well as having a comprehensive reference section. The library also holds the famous Fairfax Rhodes rare book collection bequeathed to the Union in 1929.

The library has an extensive collecton of antiquarian journal titles with particular reference to Cambridge University and its students, including bound volumes of Cambridge University examination papers dating from 1860. There are bound volumes of The Cambridge University Reporter and other university based series such as The Granta, as well as an extensive run of bound volumes of Punch.

Opening Hours

University of Cambridge Full Term

Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

University of Cambridge Vacation Period

Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Contact Details

Librarian: Catherine Wise, B.A. Telephone Number: 01223 741289 E-mail Address: librarian@cus.org

Access

Please note that access to the library is controlled by electronic card access only. You will need to bring your new plastic membership card with you to enter the library and to borrow books. If you have your old red membership card or you have lost your card, then you should call in at the Union Office on the ground floor in the first instance and update your details and we can then issue with a new card.

"For him that stealeth a Book from this Library, let it change into a serpent in his hand and rend him. Let him be struck with palsey, and all his Members blasted. Let him languish in Pain crying aloud for Mercy and let there be no sur-cease to his Agony till he sink in Dissolution. Let Bookworms gnaw his entrails in token of the worm that dieth not, and when at last he goeth to his final Punishment, let the flames of Hell consume him for ever and aye." -- Curse against Book Stealers Monastery of San Pedro, Barcelona