Image of Books and stained glass windows in the Old Library

Old Library

Our historic Old Library holds rare books and manuscripts, as well as the Jesuan Collection of writings by members of the College.

Until 1912 the College library was housed on the second floor of the west range of Cloister Court in the room now known as the Old Library. This small historic library still contains around 9,000 books, in handsome oak bookcases dating from 1662.

The Old Library is mainly a resource for research relating to its holdings. The Quincentenary Library is the College's working library, used by most academic staff and students. 

Historical records from the time the College was founded, and even of the priory preceding it, are kept in the College Archives.

Our collection

The Old Library collection is particularly strong in theology, classics, law, history, and travel writing. An adjoining room contains the College’s collection of manuscripts, including 78 medieval and 25 oriental manuscripts, as well as the library formed by the father of Thomas Robert Malthus, and the Jesuan Collection of books by and about members of the College.

Only a small proportion of the Old Library has been added to the University’s online catalogue. However, the books we hold that originate from before 1550 have been catalogued. You can view a list of our incunabula (books printed before 1501) and find later works (printed in the UK up to 1801) in the English Short Title Catalogue (ESTC). On the ESTC website select ‘Advanced search’ and choose ‘Library name’ from the drop down menu, entering ‘Cambridge University Jesus College’ in the search box, along with any other keywords such as authors or titles. 

The Malthus Collection held in the Old Library has now been fully catalogued. Records can be found in Cambridge University Library’s iDiscover catalogue. You can also read a report on the cataloguing process for this collection.

The Library also houses the Jesuan Collection (reference class JES) of published works by past and present members of the College. These are gradually being added to the computer catalogue and may be consulted on request. All enquiries about the library’s holdings should be addressed to the Keeper of the Old Library in writing or by email at old-library@jesus.cam.ac.uk.

Research at the Old Library

You can arrange an appointment for a research visit to the Old Library by emailing the Keeper of the Old Library at old-library@jesus.cam.ac.uk. Please give details about the materials that you'd like to access. If it's the first time you're visiting the library, and you're not a member of the College, please bring a letter of recommendation with you. All visits are supervised.

Use of images and copyright

You are allowed take digital photographs of images or pages from our manuscripts or printed books where this can be done without damage, for the purpose of private research and study. Flash photography is not permitted. Copyright and/or publication right in the images must be assigned to Jesus College Cambridge.

You should seek permission to reproduce images from the Keeper of the Old Library before they are published. We reserve the right to charge a reproduction fee. Copyright in any reproduced images will remain with Jesus College Cambridge.

Hear from our students

  • Photograph of a postgraduate student

    Jake

    Postgraduate

    When applying to Cambridge colleges it can feel a bit overwhelming as there are so many to choose from. I applied to Jesus College because it has a large MCR which was important for me because I wanted to feel part of a community. Now that I’m doing my PhD here, I’m very glad I did choose a college with a large postgraduate community. Throughout the year there are lots of postgraduate events, including formal dinners, special formals at Christmas and Easter, bops in the bar and film nights in...

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    Postgraduate
  • Photograph of a postgraduate student

    Tara

    Postgraduate

    Jesus College has all the benefits of being large, historical and prestigious college, whilst also retaining fantastic welfare: the staff and other students all care about each other, and will be there to cheer you on when you are thriving, but also there to support you if you need any help. I chose Jesus due to several reasons, including its prime location, where it is very central, and easy to access everywhere, even if you work in one of the institutes further out. I also selected Jesus for its MCR...

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    Postgraduate
  • Photograph of a postgraduate student

    Dulcie

    Postgraduate

    Jesus College is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and historical colleges at Cambridge! It is also, in my opinion, one of the most supportive colleges: from wellbeing to the porters there is always someone to ask for advice, support, or to talk through your stress. I chose Jesus for many reasons. Firstly, it’s right in the heart of the city centre which is amazing not only for that quick top-up shop but also to explore the beautiful city of Cambridge even while busy (it’s so easy to go for...

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  • Photograph of a postgraduate student

    Ahsan

    Postgraduate

    It is a well-accepted opinion in Cambridge that Jesus College is the best college and no other college even comes a distant second. Its sports grounds are enormous, its buildings are mesmerising, its libraries are rich, its chapel is the oldest, its accommodation is the best value for money, its international community is diverse, its religious circles are the most welcoming, and its members are the smartest, kindest and the friendliest. It is one of the central colleges that aims to offer three years accommodation to postgraduates, and has comparatively...

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  • Photograph of a postgraduate student

    Fiamma

    Postgraduate

    Jesus College, my home. I am truly grateful to be able to call Jesus College my second home. It was my preferred option when I first applied for my MPhil and I could not be happier to still be here during my PhD! There are many reasons why Jesus stands out from the other colleges: from its fantastic facilities to its glorious formal dinners and to its wonderful café and brewery room. The Quincentenary Library is a lovely place to study. It has many spaces to choose from and everything...

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