Search our catalogues

The Cadbury Research Library holds extensive archive collections and collections of rare printed books, including some fine incunabula (books published before 1500).

In addition to the University’s own heritage archive collection the Cadbury Research Library holds numerous named collections acquired through bequest, donation or long term loan. You can search the books, printed journals and archive material we hold using our online catalogues at the links below.

Collection strengths

We have particularly strong collections of literary, theological, historical, scientific and medical texts, a fine set of children’s books and very good collections of eighteenth century philosophy, history and travel. 

We hold excellent examples illustrative of the history of the book, including fine printing and typography, magnificent illustrations and exquisite bindings. 

To support current research and teaching many subject areas continue to be actively supplemented with new acquisitions from antiquarian booksellers and auctions, as well as by gift and deposit. The major collections are outlined in our guide to collections.

Archive catalogue

Our online archive catalogue is the gateway for researchers to access more comprehensive information about our archive and manuscript collections. This searchable web catalogue includes both collection level descriptions about the majority of our holdings and the accompanying detailed catalogues of many of these collections. 

There are more than 1400 collection descriptions available, and also a large number of full catalogues online. 

Library catalogue

This is the main catalogue in which most of our printed book holdings are listed. You can search by author, title and keyword, as well as restrict your search to specific formats e.g. periodicals or to specific site libraries.

The Shakespeare Institute Library

A small number of collections included in the online archive catalogue are held at the University's Shakespeare Institute Library in Stratford-upon-Avon and should be consulted there. The relevant collection descriptions contain further details about access arrangements.

Card catalogue

The card catalogue lists publications which were acquired before 1972 and which have not yet been catalogued online. If you are looking for an item published before 1972 and you do not find it on the library catalogue, check here too.
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