Cambridge Chemistry Library

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Chemistry has always been women’s business Female chemists played essential roles in developing chemical practice

The first chemist was female. Since then, women have always played crucial roles in the development and popularisation of chemistry – although many have since been forgotten.

Promotional poster for University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives’ “Research Skills Training Programme.” The poster features the university library's logo at the top, followed by the title of the programme. It describes the training as “a programme of events to teach essential skills and build confidence for every stage of the research journey.” Topics include reading and note-making, literature searching, academic writing, data management, referencing and copyright, thesis deposit, and publishing, fair attribution & metrics. The background image shows a student working at a desk with books, a laptop, and stationery.

📝 The Research Skills Training Programme from University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives is open for bookings!

👋 Designed primarily for PhD students and researchers, the sessions are open to all Cambridge staff and students.

🔎Learn more and book: https://loom.ly/RjU6dj4

Chemist and physicist Ida Noddack was born 130 years ago today. In 1925 she and her husband co-discovered Rhenium, and her 1934 paper criticizing some results of Fermi anticipated the theory of nuclear fission.

#WomenInSTEM #ChemSky #PhysicsSky #HistSci 🧪⚛️

Text reads: "Student minds: studentminds.org.uk. Student Minds is the UK's student mental health charity. Their website provides advice and resources tailored to issues commonly faced by university students, including: starting university, exam stress, student finances, mental wellbeing. The website also hosts the Changing MENtality podcast, which covers topics relating to men's mental health."

Text reads: "Student Space: studentspace.org.uk. Run by Student Minds, Student Space offers even more specialised support for students, including: a helpline for Muslim students; workshops and support spaces for Punjabi students; a directory of services for Black students; online workshops for LGBTQ+ students and their allies; support groups for students struggling with eating difficulties, addiction, OCD, BBD, and hearing voices; resources and guidance on money, mental health, friendships, graduate jobs and more."

It's #MentalHealthMonday and this week our spotlight is on Student Minds (@studentmindsorg.bsky.social) - the UK's student mental healthy charity - and its online platform Student Space.

Student Minds: www.studentminds.org.uk
Student Space: studentspace.org.uk

#AcademicWellbeing #ChemAtCam

A whiteboard with posters about different ways to find and access resources online.

Our second #KnowYourLibrary display is now out in the library space. This one is all about finding and accessing online resources, with tips on browser extensions, Google Scholar, finding databases and more. #ChemAtCam

Every day's a learning day! 😄 Yes, it seems like the suggestion was Todd's, but Soddy gets the credit for first recorded use.

Text reads: "On this Day: Februay 18th 1913. Introduction of the term 'isotope'. Frederick Soddy used the word, from the Greek meaning 'same place', to describe variants of elements which share chemical properties but have different atomic masses. In 1921 he won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, in part for his 'investigation into the origin and nature of isotopes.'"

Chemistry Calendar: on this day in 1913, Frederick Soddy coined the term 'isotope'. You can explore more events in chemistry history - one for every day of the year, in fact - on the @rsc.org's Education website: edu.rsc.org/resources/co... #ChemistryCalendar #OnThisDay #Chemsky #ChemAtCam

We're aware that some users are still having problems accessing Ebook Central following a recent technical issue on the platform. We have written a short blogpost with advice on how to resolve the issue: ebookscambridge.wordpress.com/2026/02/17/e...

Text reads: "Lifecraft. lifecraft.org.uk. Helpline: 08088082121. FREE from mobiles, landlines, and callboxes. 365 days a year, 11am to 11pm. Support for people struggling with their mental health. Services include: Groups and activities; counselling; coaching; help finding work or volunteering opportunities; suicide bereavement services.

This week's #MentalHealthMonday post focuses on the local charity Lifecraft @lifecraftcp.bsky.social, which supports mental wellbeing in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Find out more on their website: lifecraft.org.uk #AcademicWellbeing #ChemAtCam

Text reads: "Training Sessions. Tuesday, Feb 17 11:00-12:00 Depositing Your Electronic Thesis in Apollo - a How to Guide. Cambridge University Libraries Online, https://training.cam.ac.uk/cul/event/5833012 Wednesday, Feb 18 13:00-13:45 Avoiding Patents? Face Your Fear with CAS SciFinder CAS SciFinder Subject Webinars https://tinyurl.com/2czrnees Thursday, Feb 19 11:00-12:00 Note Making for Research in STEMM Cambridge University Libraries Online https://training.cam.ac.uk/cul/event/5832906

The training sessions below may be of interest to members of the Chemistry Department! Use the urls or QR codes provided to find out more and book your place. #ResearchSkills #ChemAtCam

Today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science! Find out about some of the remarkable work being carried out by women in the Department of Chemistry at Cambridge on the department's dedicated page: www.ch.cam.ac.uk/women-chemis... #IDWAGS #WomenInScience #ChemAtCam #Chemsky

Image of Persevere, Survive and Thrive imposed over a background photo of Cambridge Chemistry Library.

🚨New book alert!🚨 Persevere, Survive & Thrive: Hard-Won Wisdom from Women in Science is available in the Chemistry Library. Find out more about SOWIF, the team behind this publication, by visiting their website: www.storiesofwomeninfluids.org/about #WomenInScience #GlobalWomensBreakfast #ChemAtCam

The Chemistry Department will be celebrating the Global Women's Breakfast with free refreshments and a poster display in the Cyber Cafe from 8:30 tomorrow morning (Tuesday, Feb 10th) #GlobalWomensBreakfast #WomenInScience #ChemAtCam

An image of a lgbtqia+, Rainbow-style poster with the words "LGBT+ History Month 2026: Science & Innovation" on it in colourful lettering

LGBT+ History Month 2026: Science & Innovation

Celebrating Science, Innovation and the contibutions of LGBT+ scientists and innovators.

Find out more:
lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/lgbt-history...

#Usualise
#LGBTQIA
#LGBTplusHM
#LGBTplusHM26
#EducateOutPrejudice
#ScienceAndInnovation

We are absolutely thrilled by the news that Professor Dame Clare Grey has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the RSC! www.ch.cam.ac.uk/news/profess... @rsc.org @greygroupcam.bsky.social #ChemAtCam #WomenInScience

Text reads: "Journals in the Chemistry Library. Most of our current journal subscriptions are now published online only. However, w have a small collection of new journal issues on display near the library entrance. Issues from before the current year are kept on the shelves to the left as you enter the library - the green section on our floorplan. These are in alphabetical order by journal title, with A nearest the entrance."

Text reads: "Finding books in the Main Library. If a book is in the 'Main Library', that means the section in orange on our library floorplan: the leftmost wall when you enter the library, and the furthest shelving unit in the rows on the left. Our books are organised according to the Library of Congress classification scheme. This gives each book a shelf mark, which you can find on the spine. Books are shelif mark order in the direction indicated by the black arrows in the diagram to the right. We provide a step-by-step guide to decoding classmarks and finding books on our shelves, both online (https://tinyurl.com/5kecc6c9) and in hard copy by our catalogue terminal."

Text reads: "Blue Books. A Blue Book is not a book that is blue! The Blue Books section is where we keep books - of all colours - that appear on undergraduate reading lists. Blue Books occupy the nearest right-hand shelves when you enter the library. Like the Main Library collection, Blue Books are organised according to the Library of Congress classification scheme. They are shelved in call number order, from left to right. Find out more with our online guide: tinyurl.com/5kecc6c9 (also available in hard copy by the catalogue terminal). A lot of titles in Blue Books have two copies: a Reference copy for use in the library, and a borrowable Short Loan copy. Anyone can borrow Short Loan Blue Books - not just undergraduates - but unline Main Library loans, these items can only be borrowed for 4 days."

Throughout Lent Term we'll be putting out displays as part of a series titled #KnowYourLibrary, on topics our users told us they want more information about. First up: how to find physical items in the Chemistry Library! Visit the display for full details, or use our quick guides below. #ChemAtCam

Promotional graphic with a laptop featuring the Mercury platform on screen showing a MOF structure.

⚡Join us for a Flash Training session on using Mercury to visualize and analyse metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). It will be streamed live on YouTube and will be less than 25 minutes in length.

You can register ahead or simply join the live stream on YouTube on the day.

🔗 ccdc-info.com/4q4HBBa

Text reads: "Switchboard: switchboard.lgbt. Helpline 08000119100, daily 10am to 10pm. National LGBTQIA+ support line. Examples of support provided include: information about support groups for people who have recently begun exploring their sexual or gender identity; support for victims of homophobic abuse; contact details for LGBTQIA+ friendly therapists; resources for how to have safe sex; information on local gay venues. Email hello@switchboard.lgbt (they aim to reply within 5 days) Online chat available at switchboard.lgbt

February is LGBTQ+ History Month @lgbthm.bsky.social and we're turning our #MentalHealthMonday spotlight on to Switchboard @switchboard.bsky.social, the national LGBTQIA+ support line. Find out more by visiting their website: switchboard.lgbt #AcademicWellbeing #LGBTplusHM #lgbthm26

The Moore Library is a great option for Chemistry students seeking spaces for group study! Check out their Lent term opening hours below. #ChemAtCam

Text reads: "Take a break! Cambridge University Botanic Garden: Snowdrop Trail. Spring is coming! See the early signs for yourself at the Botanic Garden. Pick up a free trail map at the ticket office. University of Cambridge students enter for free!" Link to the Snowdrop Trail webpage: https://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/whats-on/snowdrop-trail/

January is the longest month - 5x as long as any of the others - but there are still reasons to be cheerful. Shake off the winter blues at the @cubotanicgarden.bsky.social and enjoy early signs of spring on the Snowdrop Trail! UoC students get in for free #MentalHealthMonday #AcademicWellbeing

#ChemAtCam

We believe this issue is now resolved but please do get in touch with ebooks@lib.cam.ac.uk should you continue to experience problems with linking to ebook content.

We are aware of an issue affecting ebook iDiscover links for Cambridge Core and Cambridge Aspire (Textbooks). You may see the following error: "You do not have access to the resopurce [sic] you have requested. If you believe this to be in error, please contact the Library for further details."

Struggeling with implementing good #research #data #management?

Join our free, 4day online workshop series
02.03.26 - 05.03.2026
(9 am-12 pm)
for PhD candidates and above, with a focus on #chemistry and related disciplines.
Online, in English.
Register until 24.02.2026.

https://t1p.de/8msgs

Marie-Anne Lavoisier and the Birth of Modern Chemistry. It is early August in the year 1794, and jails, choked with the enemies of Maximilien Robespierre and his Committee for Public Safety, are emptying their human contents onto the streets of Paris in th...

Marie-Anne Lavoisier was born 268 years ago today. The wife of chemistry founding figure Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier, she ultimately played an important role in the phlogiston wars of the 1780s through her translations, annotations, and correspondence.

tinyurl.com/4dbxapm2

#WomenInSTEM #ChemSky 🧪

#MentalHealthMonday #AcademicWellbeing

5 crocheted labware study buddies in different colours with embroidered smiley faces.

7 fidget toys in the shape of animals: seal, crocodile, bear, otter, fox, frog and dragon.

During Michaelmas term, some of our users asked for more study buddies in the library. So, for the start of Lent term, meet our new animal fidget toys and homemade crochet labware study buddies (courtesy of the library assistant)! #ChematCam #AcademicWellbeing

Take a look and remember to book! Open to all Cambridge staff and students.

Infographic on snowdrops, Alzheimer's and chemical warfare. Snowdrops contain poisonous alkaloids which, if they are eaten, can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Falling levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine are associated with Alzheimer's disease. Galantamine stops an enzyme that breaks acetylcholine down. Organophosphate nerve agents target an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine; galantamine can bind reversible to this enzyme, blocking the nerve agents.

Snowdrop season is coming in the Northern Hemisphere!

What links these winter flowers with Alzheimer's treatment and nerve agents? Find out in this infographic! www.compoundchem.com/2018/02/08/s...

#ChemSky 🧪