Searching for resources
There are two key library catalogues you may use when studying at Cambridge:
Girton Library catalogue (Heritage Cirqa) – search Girton Library’s collection and see if items are available or already on loan. See our eGuide for further information.
iDiscover – to search across the University’s print and electronic collections (including books, eBooks, journals, newspapers, articles and much more, from other colleges, faculty and department libraries, and the University Library. Most, but not all, of Girton’s collection can be found here. See our Searching iDiscover eGuide for further information.
You can borrow from Girton’s Main Library and the University Library. Your subject-specific library is the FAMES (Faculty for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies) Library and the SAS (South Asia Studies) Library. However, there may be other libraries within Cambridge that stock useful resources. For a full list of the Cambridge libraries see the directory and check each library for access guidelines.
Search Spacefinder to find places of study outside of College.
Subject-specific resources
Many worthwhile databases for AMES are listed in the Database A-Z LibGuide, representing a wide range of regions, notably China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and India. These include:
- dictionaries, encyclopaedia, and reference works
- collections of scholarly articles, journals, and eBooks
- a wide range of newspapers and magazines
- special collections, such as manuscripts and archives
- bibliographical works
There is also a specified LibGuide for Asian & Middle Eastern Studies, which includes information, quick links to resources, and details about the FAMES Library and the dedicated Faculty Librarian.
The SOAS Library at the University of London also has subject guides worth a look, with lists of excellent resources and tips.
Finding relevant material if you don't have a reading list
The databases below cover a wide range of resources from all disciplines and can be very helpful when you don't have a reading list or are just starting out.
- Arts & Humanities Citation Index (including the Web of Science Core Collection). An online index that covers journal articles published in the physical and life sciences, health sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities.
- BrowZine. Search a large range of online journals in all subjects Cambridge University provides.
- HathiTrust. A searchable collaborative collection of academic and research libraries preserving 17+ million digitized items.
- JSTOR. Provides access to over 12 million academic journal articles, books, and primary sources in 75 disciplines.
- WorldCat. It lets you search the collections of libraries in your community and thousands more worldwide.
Help within college
Library staff can provide support and assistance. You can book an appointment with us or ask a question via library@girton.cam.ac.uk.