SPRI Library and Information Services

The Library offers a collection developed since the 1920s with over 700 current journals and over 250,000 printed works covering all subjects relating to the Arctic, the Antarctic, and to ice and snow wherever found.

Opening hours are 9am-1pm and 2pm-5.30pm, Monday to Friday. Last admission to the building is at 5pm. Anyone with an interest in the polar regions is most welcome to use the library for reference under the Inspire Libraries scheme. Please contact us in advance of your visit.

• Overview of SPRI Library & Information Services
• Catalogue: SPRILIB
• Contact details

• Accessing SPRI remotely
• Customised bibliography service - SPRI Select
• Donations and bequests

Catalogue of the Library

The SPRILIB database covers the literature of all subjects relating to the Arctic and Antarctic published in a wide range of languages. It also offers comprehensive coverage for all aspects of snow and ice throughout the world. In addition to records for books, chapters, conference proceedings and papers, government and other reports, SPRILIB includes records for articles identified through the regular scanning of over 1,000 periodicals.

• Catalogue: SPRILIB - Polar and glaciological bibliographic database
• University of Cambridge Library Search - search print and online collections within the University of Cambridge (or try the older Newton system)

Archives

The Institute's archives, the Thomas H. Manning Archives, hold one of the largest collections of manuscript and other unpublished material relating to the Arctic and Antarctic regions, and to many persons who have worked there. Access is by prior arrangement, since demand is high.

• Search the Archives
• Access policy
• Booking form for the Archives

Picture Library

The SPRI Picture Library houses one of the world's most comprehensive collections of historical photographs of the Polar Regions. It also holds a growing collection of modern photographs taken by scientists and researchers working in the field.

• About the Picture Library
• Picture Library Catalogue

Polar and Glaciological Abstracts

Polar and Glaciological Abstracts is the only specialist abstracting publication to offer comprehensive coverage of the literature of the world's polar regions. The abstracts provide comprehensive and convenient access to the rapidly growing body of research and scholarship in all relevant disciplines, including natural and social sciences, medicine, law, arts and humanities. The journal scans over 1000 serials as well as relevant books, reports and theses.

• Polar and Glaciological Abstracts

Other resources

• Oral History Programme
• International Polar Year and its Publications Database (IPYPD)