Special Collections

Overview

The Haddon Library is primarily a working library with materials for taught courses and research at Cambridge. However, we have some interesting special collections, both modern and historical, much of which can be searched for via iDiscover or through asking a member of our team to help.

Requesting access to our Special Collections

If you know what you wish to consult from our special collections, please email us in advance of your visit so we can ensure your requested material is ready for you to consult when you arrive. It is also possible to order material in person at our Enquiry Desk by submitting paper slips (one per item). 

Items are normally fetched within two hours, depending on time of day and level of demand. You will be informed if there are any particular handling requirements or restrictions on the items you've requested by a member of our team. 

There is no fetching after 16:30 and any items requested after these times will be fetched on the next working day. Items fetched are kept for three working days before being returned to our closed stores. If you wish to keep something longer than this time period, please let a member of staff know.

Historic Book Collection

The Haddon Library is proud of its collection of older and rare books, some of which date back to the 16th century. Most of these have come to the library by donation. They are kept in secure, stable conditions, and questions about their treatment are referred to appropriate experts in other University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives. Fragile items can be consulted with the use of appropriate support aids such as cushions to minimise any risk of damage. 

We also have a self-service photography policy that covers our Historic Book Collection as well as anything else in the Library's collections. 

Pamphlet Collection

We have an extensive pamphlet collection of small items relating to anthropology and archaeology topics, ranging from the 18th century through to the present. These items can be searched for via iDiscover and consulted in the Haddon Library only due to their rareity and fragility.

Gender Studies Collection

The Gender Studies Collection is a collection of 242 publications, mostly pamphlets, dating from the late 1960s to the 1980s. The material originated from various donations to the Cambridge SPS Library when the faculty was first established. Please see this PDF for a complete list of the collection.

The collection includes keystone publications on LGBTQ+ issues, the liberation of men and women, advice on motherhood, abortion, childcare, race and employment. The late 20th century was an influential period in the movement of rights, making this archive an important resource through a range of disciplines.

Most of the archive is unique to Cambridge, if not the UK. As most of the items in the collection are fragile, copying or scanning is not permitted. All the items are catalogued and are available for users to browse in the library.

To browse this collection, please make an appointment by emailing the Haddon Library. The library staff will be happy to show you some of the interesting works in the archive, suggest ways you can further your reading within gender studies and, hopefully, help to incorporate parts of this collection into your research.

Cambridge Antiquarian Society collections

The Haddon Library and the Cambridge Antiquarian Society (CAS) have a long and rich history, going right back to the Library's foundation. Part of this relationship means that we house some of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society's collections and can produce certain items upon request for consultation in the Library.

Much of the collection is searchable on iDiscover and specific enquiries should be sent to the Society directly.