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Welcome
The Chemistry Library primarily supports the teaching and research that takes place within the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry in the University of Cambridge. We also welcome members of other Departments in the University as well as academic visitors to the Department.
Please see the Eligibility for access to the Chemistry Department Library section below for more information.
Please take the time to read the Library rules before using the library.
Opening hours
The Library Office is normally staffed between 09:00 and 17:00 Monday - Friday, but this does sometimes vary due to staff taking annual leave and attending meetings and training sessions for example.
Accessing the Library
The library is located in the CMI building, which can be accessed from the main building via walkways on the Mezzanine level and Floor 1. We have created route guides on how to access the library from both the Reception entrance and the Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) entrance. For each entrance, there is a route via stairs and a route via lifts. These guides are also available in booklet form, which can be found at Reception or pinned to the noticeboard near the BMS entrance. All documents have been formatted with readability and screen-reader compatibility in mind. Should you require any of these documents in a different format - with a different size of font or colour background, for example - please contact us.
Main Reception Entrance to Library (Via Stairs)
Main Reception Entrance to Library (Via Lifts)
BMS Entrance to Library (Via Stairs)
BMS Entrance to Library (Via Lifts)
Assistive resources
Please consult our Assistive Resources website for details of the many assistive resources and services available to anyone wanting to use the Chemistry Library. It is designed to help you get started and consider any adjustments you may need.
Other spaces for study around Cambridge
There are many other accessible and inspiring places you can work around Cambridge collaboratively or on your own (some are only available for members of the University but not all). Please visit our Other spaces for study around Cambridge web page for suggestions.
Eligibility for access to the Chemistry Department Library
Access to the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry and the Chemistry Library is controlled via a pre-programmed University Card which is strictly for your use only. Please see the table below for a summary of eligibility for access.
*Students must exit the Department before 21:00 on weekdays and 16:00 on Saturdays otherwise they will find themselves trapped. See your Course Guide for department access information.
| Category | Access during departmental opening hours? (08:00-21:00) | Access out of hours? (21:00-24:00 at weekends) | Borrowing rights? (Requires registration of University Card in Library Office first) |
| Undergraduate – NST 1A Chemistry | Yes, please ask your DoS to apply in advance to library@ch.cam.ac.uk on your behalf. They must confirm your status as a IA Chemistry student specifically in their email. | No weekend access is granted to Part IA Chemistry students. | No. |
| Undergraduate – NST 1B Chemistry* | Yes, your University Card will be automatically programmed to give you access. | Yes, but weekend access means on Saturdays only 08:00-16:00. For access outside of these times, please ask your DoS to apply in advance on your behalf to library@ch.cam.ac.uk, specifically confirming your status as a IB Chemistry student. Please give your name and CRSiD. | Yes, 10 books max. (28 day loan) including up to 2 x short loan (4 days) books. |
| Undergraduate – NST II Chemistry* | Yes, your University Card will be automatically programmed to give you access. |
Yes, but weekend access means on Saturdays only 08:00-16:00. For access outside of these times, please request it by emailing reception@ch.cam.ac.uk and mifareadmin@ch.cam.ac.uk. Please give your name and CRSiD. |
Yes, 10 books max. (28 day loan) including up to 2 x short loan (4 days) books. |
| Undergraduate – NST III Chemistry* | Yes, your University Card will be automatically programmed to give you access. | Yes, but weekend access means on Saturdays only 08:00-16:00. For access outside of these times, please request it by emailing reception@ch.cam.ac.uk and mifareadmin@ch.cam.ac.uk. Please give your name and CRSiD. | Yes, 10 books max. (28 day loan) including up to 2 x short loan (4 days) books. |
| Undergraduates not reading Chemistry | No. | N/A | N/A |
| Postgraduate students and PDRAs in the Department of Chemistry | Yes, your University Card will be automatically programmed to give you access. | Yes, your University Card will be automatically programmed to give you access. | Yes, 10 books max. (28 day loan) including up to 2 x short loan (4 days) books. |
| Academic staff in the Department of Chemistry | Yes, your University Card will be automatically programmed to give you access. | Yes, your University Card will be automatically programmed to give you access. | Yes, 10 books max. (28 day loan) including up to 2 x short loan (4 days) books. |
| Postgraduate students, academic and research staff members of other Departments in the University | Yes. Access is granted at a specific time to consult specific materials; we regret that the Library cannot be used as a general study space. Please email library@ch.cam.ac.uk at least 24 hours in advance to arrange your visit, stating why access is required. Access is possible 09:30-16:30 Monday to Thursday; 09:30-16:00 on Fridays. Reception will issue a temporary access card which should be returned by 17:00 at the latest the same day, otherwise a fee will be charged. | No. | Yes, 10 books max. (28 day loan) including up to 2 x short loan (4 days) books. |
| Academic Visitors (who are officially working with one of our members in the building) | Yes. | Yes. | Yes, 10 books max. (28 day loan) including up to 2 x short loan (4 days) books. |
| Members of CCDC | Yes, please ask your Administrator to provide a letter or email confirming that you are part of CCDC. Show this at Reception at the Chemistry Department and staff will add Library access to your card. To ensure you are set up to borrow books, please contact library@ch.cam.ac.uk | No. | Yes, 10 books max. (28 day loan) including up to 2 x short loan (4 days) books. |
| Postgraduate and undergraduate students from other UK and Irish universities | No. We regret we are unable to admit anyone in these categories under the SCONUL Access or SCONUL Summer Vacation Access Schemes. However, other Cambridge University Libraries may be able to admit you, including Cambridge University Library. | No. |
No.
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| Non-Medical Helpers | Yes, upon request from library@ch.cam.ac.uk. Please contact us in advance of your first visit. You will be issued with a temporary visitor access card each time you visit, which must be returned to Reception when you leave. | No. | Yes, on behalf of the person they are helping. Please visit the Non-Medical Helpers website for further information. |
| Everyone else | No. | No. | No. |