St John's College Library

14/10/2026

It is a Wednesday in Michaelmas term, and you all know what that means: Old Library open afternoons are back!

Drop by between 2-4 this afternoon to explore the 17th-century Upper Library, discover highlights from the Special Collections, and get a birds-eye view of punters out of the Oriel Window. Entry via E Staircase, Second Court.

01/07/2026

Congratulations to everyone who graduated today! It was wonderful to see so many of you and your guests in the Old Library this afternoon 🎓

Here is a piece of our graduation display, which featured manuscripts, artefacts and papers from the Library's collection celebrating the College's history and the achievements of our alumni. This is a poem by William Mason, who studied here in the 18th century: "On Leaving St John's College, Cambridge."

"Granta farewell! thy time-enobled shade
No more must glimmer o'er my musing head,
Where waking dreams, of Fancy born,
Around me flowed eve and morn.
I go - Yet, mindful of the charms I leave."

22/06/2026

15/06/2026

The final Old Library open afternoon of the year is THIS WEEK 😮

Whether your time at St John's is coming to an end or you'll be around a while longer, don't let the 2025-26 academic year go by without setting foot in the beautiful 17th-century Old Library and discovering some of the College's treasures 📚 🔭🦂

Open 2-4 on Wednesday, access (as ever) via E Staircase, Second Court.

Thank you to everyone who has dropped in this year - it's been wonderful to meet you all ❤️

(and yes, that's an intentional scorpion emoji. )

09/06/2026

New AV display 📢

Happy Pride Month from your St John's Library team! 🌈

We're celebrating LGBTQIA+ identities with a new DVD display in the AV room 📽️

With the end of Easter term fast approaching, why not grab some friends and borrow one of these for your next movie night?

We'd also love to hear any recommendations for more LGBTQIA+ titles not already in our collection, so let us know in our suggestions box! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

Love is love, and being yourself is never wrong ❤️

We hope you all have a great Pride! 🏳️‍🌈

01/06/2026

The Working Library is now card access only 24/7 (including staffed hours). We'll be trialling this for the rest of Easter Term following a discussion at the Working Library Committee last week.

Current St John's members: this shouldn't change anything for you - just make sure you've got your card on you and let us know if you have any issues. Remember that College members aren't allowed to bring guests into the Working Library at any time of the year.

Special Collections readers, alumni, and other visitors: you're still very welcome to visit the Library by appointment! Please get in touch with the Library team in advance to arrange your visit, and speak to the Porters when you arrive. They'll get in touch with us to make sure someone is ready to let you in.

Access to the Old Library for Wednesday open afternoons (three left this term, all welcome!) will continue to be via E Staircase, Second Court, so no changes there.

21/05/2026

We're loving the origami creations popping up around the Library!

Origami paper and instructions are included in every Wellbeing Pack - just ask at the desk if you'd like some extra supplies 🌸

05/05/2026

If you need a small reset, wellbeing packs are now available on the ground floor. Inside you will find a mix of comforting treats, destressing tools, and useful information about support services. You are very welcome to come and pick one up, they are free! We will be putting them out regularly during the Easter Term.

01/05/2026

BRING US YOUR ART 🎨 📸

Submissions for this year's Student Art and Photography Competition are open until 5pm on TUESDAY 5th May. Just bring your work to the Issue Desk (during staffed hours, please - that's until 5 today, Friday, and 9-5 Monday and Tuesday).

Cash prizes! Exhibition in the Library! Full details on 4th Court!

There are lots of categories, so pretty much anything is welcome - if you're not sure, drop us an email or come speak to us at the desk.

17/04/2026

📢 New AV display!

The busy Easter term is right around the corner, and our AV room has plenty of DVDs for when you need those well-deserved study breaks 📚

We've picked out some iconic feel-good films to help you relax, kick-back and escape the stress of assignments 🧘

As Arnold Schwarzenegger once said in Total Recall: "Relax. You'll live longer."