Modern Collections

Most of our modern collections are available on open shelves in the Main Library Reading Room (Levels 1, 3, and 4) and the Old Library, and most of these items are borrowable.

Books are classified by subject in an alphabetical sequence. Use our online catalogue via iDiscover to find the classmark for the book you need:

e.g. L3.DEA 3

The classmark functions like a GPS co-ordinate to take you straight to where you should find the book on the shelf. To read more about our classification scheme and understanding classmarks, see our dedicated webpage.

Can't find a book where you expect to?

• Check it is not in the Reserve or Oversize sections
• Check iDiscover to see if it is on loan. If so, you can place a recall by logging into iDiscover
• Ask a member of Library staff for assistance

Printed Journals

The Whipple has a large collection of journals in hard copy, covering a range of topics in History and Philosophy of Science. You'll find current issues on the landing on Level 2, next to the new books and seasonal display. Bound copies of back issues can be found in the Old Library. You can search for print journals in the Whipple and other Cambridge University libraries using iDiscover. Search for the journal title (e.g. History of Science or Ambix, etc.). This should tell you which libraries have a hard copy, and which volumes/years they hold.

Electronic Journals and Articles

If you are looking for a particular article, and have the author and article title details, go to iDiscover, filter to 'Articles and online resources' and type in an author name and one or two key words from the title (focus on nouns and leave out connecting words and articles like 'and' or 'the'). iDiscover should return matching results from material that is available in full text online. Click through to access the full text directly.

If you are looking to browse a specific journal online, Use the e-journal search to check if the journal you need is available. Note that some journals are accessible via more than one package or provider, so check the date range carefully. Some journals are only partially available online (the full run may not have been digitised, or the University may not have a subscription to the whole backfile), so you may need to consult a hard copy.

The Reserve Collection contains books that are in high demand for teaching, reading groups, etc. They have a shorter borrowing period than open shelf books, so that as many people can access them as possible. They are distinguished in iDiscover by the note:

Whipple Library: Reserve Collection (ask at Staff desk)

Books on Reserve can be borrowed at any time, and will be due back by closing time the next day (or Monday, if borrowed on Friday). You will still need to check out the book if you are only using it in the Library (i.e. not taking it away). If you need to extend your loan of a Reserve book, please speak to a member of staff or send us an email and we will be happy to discuss.

REF books

The Whipple has a well-stocked Reference section located on Level 1. These books are distinguished by the classmark prefix REF, and are for use in the Library only and may not be borrowed.

REF files

The REF files are boxes containing a variety of material from exhibition catalogues, to occasional publications and offprints, gathered together by theme. You will find these on the shelves near the standing desk on Level 1. This material is for use in the Library only, and may not be borrowed. Most items can easily be scanned or photocopied (subject to copyright restrictions), but please speak to a member of staff if in doubt.

Oversize

For practical reasons, large format books are shelved together on Level 1. Books are classified in the normal way, and distinguished in iDiscover by the location prefix:

Whipple Library: Oversize section (shelved on Level 1)

In most cases these books are borrowable.

PhD theses (HPS)

We hold bound copies of all PhD theses completed by students in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science in the University of Cambridge since at least the mid 1980s. These are available from the Library enquiry desk and you will be asked to sign a copyright declaration form before consulting. They can be read in the Library, but may not be copied or borrowed.

All our PhD theses are catalogued on iDiscover: find them by searching for author name and title keywords in the same way as for a printed book. Alternatively, select the Whipple as the holding library and search for 'dissertation' to get a more comprehensive list.

If the thesis you are looking for is not held here at the Whipple, it is possible it was submitted to a different department or faculty in the University. Cambridge University Library holds hard copies of all PhD theses in all subjects approved by the University of Cambridge since 1921. These can be consulted in person in the Manuscripts Room.

How can I obtain a copy of a Cambridge PhD thesis?

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide copies of PhD theses, either in hard copy or digital, from the Whipple Library. However, our colleagues in the Digital Content Unit at the University Library may be able to help; visit their website for further information about their image ordering service and to access the online request form.

MPhil and Part III dissertations

We have a large—but not comprehensive—collection of MPhil dissertations completed in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science since the late 1990s. These are catalogued on iDiscover, and are available for use in the Library only. Please ask a member of staff at the enquiry desk for further details.

Sample Part II, Part III and MPhil coursework

We also have a selection of sample work submitted for Part II, Part III and MPhil exams in recent years, which is available to consult in the Library. This includes Part II Primary Source Essays and Dissertations, Part III Research Papers, and MPhil Essays. The samples include a range of historical and philosophical approaches and are intended to provide good examples of each type of work. Please ask at the enquiry desk for further details.