Haddon Library

The Haddon Library stands in the heart of Cambridge, part of the university’s network of over a hundred libraries. It belongs to the group of affiliated faculty and departmental libraries, which now number sixty-three and continue to grow. These libraries share a purpose: to organise resources efficiently while meeting varied academic needs. Each serves a specific subject area, ensuring students and researchers find what they require close to their studies.

The library’s value lies in its role within this larger system. Like others in the network, it holds materials that support teaching and research across Tripos subjects. Many college libraries also preserve special collections, such as early printed books or medieval manuscripts. The Parker Library at Corpus Christi College, for instance, houses over six hundred medieval manuscripts, recognised as among the finest in Europe.

A visitor finds a working library designed for daily use rather than display. Shelves hold books that cover all undergraduate subjects, arranged for easy access. The atmosphere is quiet and purposeful, reflecting its function as a study space. Nearby libraries, such as Trinity College’s Wren Library, offer contrasting treasures in architecture and history. Together, these libraries form a single, organised resource for the university’s academic life.