Abstract
Cambridge University has three tiers of libraries available to students: the University Library, departmental (subject) libraries and college libraries. Over the past thirty years there has been increasing pressure on the colleges to provide more books, reader places and technical resources in their libraries, with the result that a number of new library buildings, of very different styles, have been opened. Other colleges have opted for refurbishment and extension of existing libraries. These libraries are small (30-100,000 books) and intimate, often open 24 hours a day and with generous provision for lending books. Great importance is placed on keeping them at the heart of the college. Challenges for architects are the sensitive sites, restrictions on changes to listed buildings, and the limited space available. The constricted sites cause difficulties for the builders too. I will consider some solutions to these problems with reference to projects in four colleges: Pembroke, Peterhouse, Corpus Christi and Newnham. At Pembroke architects Freeland Rees Roberts have built an extension to a listed building and at Peterhouse they have adapted an adjoining room. Corpus Christi is moving its library to a Victorian building which has been internally redesigned by Wright + Wright. Newnham demolished a 1960s extension in order to develop the plot more efficiently to a design by John Miller + Partners. All the architects have shown sensitivity to the needs of their clients and ingenuity in making intensive use of limited space.
Highlights
This paper is about small libraries, serving between 300 and 600 readers, with a stock of not more than 100,000 books: the Cambridge college libraries
In recent years the University Library has had several extensions to its 1930s premises and two new dependent libraries, the circular Moore Library (Maths and Engineering) by Edward Cullinan and the glass and steel Squire Law Library, part of the Faculty designed by Sir Norman Foster
The University has commissioned a number of new departmental buildings incorporating libraries: Divinity by Edward Cullinan, English and Criminology, both by Allies and Morrison, and the recently completed Faculty of Education by the Building Design Partnership
Summary
This paper is about small libraries, serving between 300 and 600 readers, with a stock of not more than 100,000 books: the Cambridge college libraries. Cambridge is well known for its ancient buildings, and among them are the older college libraries, housing special collections. Some of the finest are the Wren Library at Trinity, the Old Library of St John’s, the Parker Library at Corpus Christi and the Pepys Library, built to house a benefaction to Magdalene College; but we have some stunning new buildings. In recent years the University Library has had several extensions to its 1930s premises and two new dependent libraries, the circular Moore Library (Maths and Engineering) by Edward Cullinan and the glass and steel Squire Law Library, part of the Faculty designed by Sir Norman Foster. Qualified staff has gradually taken over, improving stock and stimulating usage For many students their college has become the library of first resort for books, as a place to study, and for accessing electronic resources. Plans have to be developed with library committees who will have strong views on every aspect of the project
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
