Reader Requirements

Reference Works

4.1 The Library maintains a collection of reference works for the benefit of all its readers. This includes atlases, dictionaries, encyclopedias, grammars, and concordances relevant to the subject areas listed above.

Books for taught courses

4.2 The needs of undergraduates are a major responsibility of the Library, as the majority of these students are not able to borrow from the University Library. Undergraduate priorities are set texts for Tripos papers and books on recommended reading lists for each paper. The Library aims to be comprehensive in its coverage of these needs and, where appropriate, purchases multiple copies.

4.3 The undergraduate reading lists are reviewed each summer, and sometimes new papers are introduced. Responding to these changes is the priority of the acquisitions policy at the beginning of each new spending round.

4.4 The Library aims similarly to provide set texts and recommended books for taught postgraduate courses.

Books for research

4.5 The needs of members of the Faculty and research students for texts and studies are satisfied within the resources available. Priority is given to primary texts, which will be used by a variety of readers over a period of years. These may be in languages other than English.

4.6 A variety of secondary literature for research purposes is purchased each year. Priority is given to:

books specifically requested;
books likely to be used by more than one reader;
books which are definitive in their field and are likely to be consulted for many years;
books in English.

Attention will be given to whether a monograph is available elsewhere in the University if a request is made for a particularly obscure or esoteric study of narrow specialist interest.

Contact details

The Library
Faculty of Divinity
West Road
CAMBRIDGE
CB3 9BS

Tel: 01223 763040
Fax: 01223 763003
Email: The Library