Cambridge University Library

@theul.bsky.social

4486 Followers 153 Following

Cambridge University Library

A close-up detail of a colourful medieval illuminated manuscript illustration. It features a stylised figure wearing a long blue tunic. They are performing two tasks at once: blowing into a small trumpet or pipe held in one hand, while simultaneously holding a round tambourine or tabor drum in the other. To the left, fragments of ornate Latin script in dark brown and red ink are visible on the aged parchment background.
A high-angle, close-up photograph of an open historic manuscript journal or notebook. Pressed onto the left-hand page, under the heading "May", is a preserved piece of textured, golden-brown shed snake skin, showing distinct rows of small diamond-shaped scales alongside larger, horizontal belly scales. Below the snake skin, an inscription in elegant cursive ink handwriting reads: "Part of the slough of a snake which I found in the channel fen at Barton in Norfolk famous for rare Insects and plants and much resorted to by me at the time I was with Mr Forby."
A book illustration from the early nineteenth century depicting Vauxhall Gardens. We see a decorated, multi-tiered stage with musicians. Many people in evening wear mill around the stage, dancing and chatting.
Promotional graphic on a dark green background announcing an exhibition. At the top right are the logos for Cambridge University Library and Pembroke College Cambridge, noted as "Hosted in partnership with". The text is arranged on staggered, overlapping horizontal blocks: A light grey block reads: "Free exhibition open to all" An olive-green block reads: "Living Water" in a large, elegant serif font A teal block reads: "Poetry, Art and the Fight for Clean Rivers." At the very bottom is a cropped, textured gold artwork depicting organic, water-like or branch-like patterns.
A photograph of an open book showing an old hand-coloured drawing of an orange butterfly. We also see a page of text about the butterfly, a Red Admirable
A medieval manuscript page showing a rather nervous-looking lion, set against a patterned background.
A vintage illustration of two anthropomorphic yellow ducks dressed in dapper 1920s tennis attire, walking side by side with wooden tennis rackets slung over their shoulders, set against a muted green background.
A promotional graphic for the Cambridge University Library's "the really popular BOOK CLUB" on a light purple background. The top left features the Cambridge University Library logo. The top right features a black ribbon graphic with the text "the really popular BOOK CLUB". In the centre is the book cover of "Friday's Child" by Georgette Heyer, showing a Regency-style illustration of a woman in a bonnet. Below the book cover, large bold text on black rectangular backgrounds reads "Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer".
A photograph of Reanna Brooks, the 2026 Gordon Duff Prize winner. The photo was taken on a bright, sunny day. Reanna stands in front of a green hedge, with a blue sky behind her. She holds a bound copy of her prize-winning essay and is smiling into the camera.
A detailed 17th-century woodcut illustration of a lion from Edward Topsell's The Historie of Foure-Footed Beastes (1607). The lion is depicted from the chest up, resting its front paws on a ledge. It has a highly stylized, anthropomorphic facial expression with intense, wide eyes, a prominent brow, and a thick, wavy mane flowing around its head and neck. The print shows visible text bleeding through from the reverse side of the paper, and the bottom of the image shows the blurred text of an open book page.
A photograph of the beehive at Cambridge University Library. The hive is open, and we can see lots of bees on the wooden frame. In the background is the main library building, set against a bright blue sky.
A composite image: the background is an aged, yellowed manuscript page filled with handwritten cursive notes in dark ink. In the top left corner is a sepia-toned circular portrait of a young, clean-shaven Charles Darwin. Text overlay reads: "A major new project is underway at Cambridge University Library to create an online catalogue of Darwin's personal library."
Lots of people milling about in front of Cambridge University Library.
A promotional graphic on a dark green background advertising a "Free public exhibition." The top features the title "Living Water: Poetry, Art and the Fight for Clean Rivers" alongside an illustration of a winding river with a small fish. The bottom text reads: "THURSDAY 9 JULY, In Conversation with the Curator, Dr Mark Wormald."
A black ink woodcut illustration of a sun with a human face on aged, textured paper. The sun has a stern facial expression with wide eyes and a down-turned mouth. Alternating straight, pointed rays and wavy, flame-like rays radiate outward in all directions from the central circular face.
A grid of four square panels numbered 1 through 4, containing hand-drawn medieval manuscript illustrations against a textured cream background. Panel 1 (Top Left): Shows a figure with short blonde wavy hair wearing a brown tunic, leaning forward and extending their hands outward over a green bowl. Panel 2 (Top Right): A close-up of a figure with blonde wavy hair wearing a brown tunic, looking toward the left with wide eyes and a downcast, troubled facial expression. Panel 3 (Bottom Left): Depicts the top of a blonde-haired figure's head looking straight up at a large sword. Panel 4 (Bottom Right): A figure in a reddish-orange tunic holding a golden platter. Atop the platter rests a disembodied head wearing a white hood or coif, which faces left with a neutral expression.
An interior view of a modern library study area with rows of bookshelves and study desks.
A photograph of Dr Jessica Gardner at Cambridge University Library. Jess is seated at a table, looking directly into the camera. In the background are shelves packed with books and objects.
A close-up, slightly high-angle shot shows a person's hands writing with a yellow pencil in a notebook. Overlaying the bottom portion of the image are two light teal rectangular text blocks. The top block reads "We’re hiring" in black text, and the lower, larger block reads "Liaison Librarian (CST/CEB)" followed by "University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives" in a smaller font below it.
A close-up detail of a hand-coloured woodcut from a corner border, depicting a personified sun with a human face looking downward with a grumpy, unimpressed expression.
A low-angle, close-up photograph of tall hollyhock plants, set against the backdrop of Cambridge University Library's tower and a pale blue sky.
A cartoon by David Hockney from 1953. We see a boy in a school sports kit taking part in a cross-country race with a crutch. He has a bandaged foot. Another boy is about to overtake him. He holds a sign saying: "Complaint about compulsory running".
A warm, atmospheric photo capturing people seated behind a decorative gold art deco railing on an elevated balcony level inside Cambridge University Library. A large, ornate bronze or gold entryway arch sits directly behind them. Hanging from the high wooden ceiling is a classic crystal chandelier.
A vibrant book display celebrating Pride Month. Multiple books about LGBTQ+ history, theory, and media are arranged on a tiered white stand atop a table covered in a rainbow flag. Two windows are visible in the bright, soft-focused background.
A promotional digital graphic for a book club event on a light lavender background. At the top left is the "Cambridge University Library" logo printed in black. At the top right, a black ribbon banner features white text reading "the really popular BOOK CLUB". The middle-left of the graphic shows the book cover for Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman. Across the bottom of the graphic, large white text on offset black blocks reads "Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman".
We see a hand posting a book into the book drop outside Cambridge University Library. The book drop is housed in an old red telephone box.
A folding book illustration showing a yellow swallowtail butterfly.
A promotional digital poster for a Cambridge University Library event on a bright orange background. At the top left, the event details are listed in black text: "Thursday 18 June 2026, 7.30pm to 10pm." At the top right is the "Cambridge University Library" logo, followed by "Tickets £8" and "Booking essential at lib.cam.ac.uk/whatson."
A long shot down a brightly lit corridor at Cambridge University Library during an evening event. The space features high wooden bookshelves lining the left side under a wood-paneled ceiling with stylish, glowing pendant lights. The corridor is bustling with a diverse crowd of people standing and chatting.
A close-up photograph of a person holding up a book titled A Little Gay History: Desire and Diversity Across the World by R. B. Parkinson
A close-up photograph of a person holding up a book titled A Queer Little History of Art by Alex Pilcher.
A close-up photograph of a person holding up a book titled Good As You: From Prejudice to Pride: 30 Years of Gay Britain by Paul Flynn. The book features a bright yellow cover with the title printed in massive, overlapping block letters of various vibrant colours.
A close-up photograph of a person holding up a book titled The Scapegoat: The Brilliant Brief Life of the Duke of Buckingham by Lucy Hughes-Hallett. The book cover features a historic portrait of a man with a beard wearing a large, intricate white lace ruff collar. In the softly blurred background behind the book, the original large oil painting of the exact same man hangs on a wall in an ornate gold frame, creating a matching visual alignment.
A person holding a book. The cover art features a rainbow. The title reads "Pride: The Story of the LGBTQ Equality Movement"
A medieval woodcut illustration from the Hortus Sanitatis, featuring an apothecary scene with hand-colored details. In the background, rows of glass flasks containing colourful liquids sit on wooden shelves, with one figure pointing a long stick at them. Various other figures in traditional medieval robes and hats stand below; one holds up a flask, while another holds open a book on a stand. In the bottom foreground, two small figures appear to be engaged in a scuffle or medical examination, surrounded by onlookers.
A close-up photograph of people leaning over to look closely into an exhibition display case, captured in warm, moody lighting. A dark teal translucent text box is overlaid across the middle of the image, featuring the Cambridge University Library logo in the bottom left corner. The text reads: "Unpublished manuscripts. Private letters. Ted Hughes and Seamus Heaney. Free exhibition in Cambridge."
An illustration of a rather fierce looking cat from a seventeenth century book. It has tabby markings and pointy ears.
A photograph of a female conservator in a flower bed. She is holding a bright orange flower in her hand.
A dark, atmospheric photo of Cambridge University Library. We see a patches of sunlight illuminating bookcases along a long corridor.
The Commonwealth Room at Cambridge University Library. A student wearing headphones works with her laptop at a desk. A big window gives plenty of natural lights. Bookshelves surround the desk giving it a cosy, academic feel.
A medieval manuscript image of a man sitting with his legs in the river.
A image of a small group of people engaged in a creative workshop. Text overlay reads: "Ever wanted to write poetry? Relaxed workshop for beginners." There is a Cambridge University Library logo in the top left corner.
A pressed wild flowers. Text overlay reads: "Picked from a Cambridgeshire cornfield in 1784"
A small leather satchel beside an open manuscript with maghribi script and geometric diagrams, connected by a long cord, displayed against a plain white background.
A photograph of a grand reading room at Cambridge University Library. We see rows of desks and bookcases lining the walls. Light streams in through large windows.
Medieval illustration of a woman in a pink gown kneeling in a lush garden, holding a long scroll. Behind her is a riverside town with bridges, towers, and stone buildings under a blue sky. The scene is richly detailed with flowers, greenery, and illuminated manuscript-style decoration.
A photo taken in the Living Water exhibition at Cambridge University Library. We see a blurry picture of a man looking at a colourful painting by Barrie Cooke.