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Cambridge Central Library Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

Red Duster: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am permanently archiving it. This action can not be reversed.

Andy
Red Duster
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Hidden : 7/25/2016
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This is a geocache set inside the library, with the kind permission of Library management and with their assistance. The geocache is only accessible when the library is open.

Cache listing updated 31st March 2017, please make sure you are using the updated version.

The container is not at the listed co-ordinates, but the answers below can be used to find the co-ordinates of a small container outside the library. Inside that box is something that will allow you to find the final cache container back in the library. Don't forget to leave enough time to get back into the library before closing time!


The first floor of the library has the fiction books, children's books, audio books and DVDs. First of all, head over to the left of the entrance to the returns machine, where you can return books on a cool conveyor belt system.

1. How many book return slots are there? This gives you A.

Then head over to the helpdesk. On the wall nearby are two signs telling you when the library was opened. Look at the date on the oval gray sign.

2. Add the first and third digit together to get B.

Then head upstairs. There is an escalator, lifts or the stairs. The second floor has the majority of the non-fiction books, the fiction in foreign languages, lots of computers and the newspapers and magazines. It's also a quiet floor, so please take care not to make too much noise. By the escalator and the lifts, there is a collection of books about mental health conditions. These are the Books on Prescription.

3. What shape is the bookcase they are in:

 a leaf C = 2,

a fish C = 4,

or a star C = 6?

Then move across to the stairs downwards. There is a quote on the wall about giving people library cards.

4. What is the last digit of the year that the film was released? 197D

Then head upstairs again to the third floor. Here are the books on art and hobbies, the CD and sheet music collections and other things like the cafe, the careers service and the parking desk. Just behind the help desk is the Mediatheque, where you can watch films from the British Film Institute.

5. How many booths are available in the Mediatheque to watch films? Take 1 from this number to give you E 

Next it's a trip over to the Cambridgeshire Collection. This is on the same floor, just next to the cafe. Here the local studies department of the library, and where you find anything related to the history of Cambridge or Cambridgeshire. They have a wide variety of maps, pictures, books and newspapers all related to the city or the county. Go inside the room, and have a look at the maps for sale on display on the wall. One of them is Jonas Moore's "Great Level of the Fens"

6. What date was it produced? Add together the first and third digit to give you F.

Finally, all of those different numbers should be put together in the co-ordinates below, and then you should have enough information to find the small container outside.

N 52° 12.ABC E 000° 07.DEF

That will give you the information needed to find the large cache back in the library.

The final cache container is rather unusual. Please take care of it, and let me know if there are any problems with it. No spoiler photos of the box in the logs please.

Congratulations to the_local_echo and auntysarah for being the First to Find

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[For the outside cache] Gb gur evtug bs Eboreg Cntr. Zntargvp, va vil. [For the final] Lbh'yy or qnapvat sbe wbl bapr lbh'ir sbhaq guvf.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)