The Ashby Library was built in honour of Lord Eric Ashby, Honorary Fellow of Clare Hall, and is situated overlooking the Scholars’ Garden beside Elmside, one of the student residences. The library comprises just over two thousand books mainly donated by past and present members of Clare Hall. It thus represents in part the intellectual heritage of the College.  The wide-ranging research interests of both fellows and students are well reflected in the multidisciplinary nature of the collection. Any member who is the author or co-author of a book is invited to give a signed copy to the College. Purchased from members’ donations, a small collection of reference books is also available for consultation. Additionally, the library provides an attractive workplace for a limited number of fellows and students.

Finding Books
The shelves are locked, but for the purposes of browsing and borrowing keys may be borrowed from the Porters' Lodge. The books are arranged alphabetically by author, with a separate section for especially large tomes. Copies of the catalogue are available in the Ashby Library and the Porters' Lodge. In addition, a regularly updated acquisition list is put up on the notice board in the library.

Borrowing & Returning Books
In order to take out a book the borrowing book must be filled in. This is kept in the Porters' Lodge.  The borrowing period is one month, after which date the entry should be renewed, or the book returned and the entry crossed out. Members are restricted to borrowing up to five books at any one time. Non-members can use the library by arrangement with the Librarian (Dr Rosemary Luff on email  RML10@cam.ac.uk) but are not allowed borrowing rights. This is in accordance with the library borrowing policies of other College Libraries of the University of Cambridge. The reference books are located on open shelves towards the centre of the Ashby Room. For the convenience of all library users they are not to be removed from the library.

Newspapers/Periodicals
The Common Room, situated in the main college, houses a selection of newspapers and periodicals, and back issues together with some travel guides, novels and books for general reading can be consulted in the Meeting Room.