Informational Alert | Coronavirus Updates
NOTICE: Fall hours for contactless pickup of library holds at Main, Central Square, O’Neill, and Valente are now in effect. No appointments required. Request items online, by phone at 617-349-4040 or by email at library@cambridgema.gov.

Cambridge Room FAQ

Can I use the Cambridge Room outside the posted hours or when the archivist isn’t there?

If you would like to visit the Cambridge Room outside of the posted hours, please contact the archivist to make an appointment. E-mail: Ask a Librarian.

If you visit the library during the time when the room is closed, you will not be able to use the materials. The library has this policy in place to protect the rare and historic material that the Cambridge Room cares for and makes accessible to researchers.

Also, you will get the most out of your visit to the Cambridge Room if the archivist can work closely with you to help you find books and collections that cover your research topic.

Do the books and other material circulate or leave the Cambridge Room?

No. The material in the Cambridge Room is rare and in some cases fragile. Therefore, use of the collection must be used under the supervision of the archivist. Materials cannot leave the Cambridge Room.

Where can I find vital records?

Please contact the Cambridge City Clerk’s office for vital records.

Does the Cambridge Room have Cambridge High School yearbooks?

No. For Cambridge Rindge and Latin, Rindge Manual Training School, and Rindge Technical School yearbooks contact the Pearl K Wise Library. For Cambridge High & Latin, please contact Jeannie Kuropatkin at 617-349-6680.

Does the Cambridge Room have city records?

The Cambridge Room collects city reports. The majority of the collection consists of reports from the 1970 to 2005. A description of the collection is available here. More recent reports are available on the City of Cambridge’s website. The Cambridge Room also has a full run of the City of Cambridge’s Annual Reports, which are available here.

Where can I find Cambridge School Committee records or Cambridge School records?

For School Committee Minutes, the CR has a limited run of School Committee Minutes from 1912-1941. The work of School Department is covered in substantial detail in the Annual Reports between the years 1848-1941. For more recent School Committee Minutes, visit the Cambridge School Committee’s website.

For School Records, visit the Cambridge School Department’s website.

Where can I find Police Records?

For more information about Police Records, email the CPD. Please note that the Cambridge Police Department keeps no records prior to 1997.