Use of the Brown University Libraries

general collections    
brown affiliation | other scholarly affiliation & special categories | general public
special collections | our mission | more information & applications

GENERAL COLLECTIONS.
 This publication deals primarily with the general collections housed in the Rockefeller, Sciences, and Orwig Music Libraries.  Because of demands placed on library resources, unlimited access to these buildings is generally restricted to individuals affiliated with Brown. However, use of these libraries by others is provided at no cost by agreements with other libraries, and by referral from Rhode Island public and academic libraries. (Click here for referral guidelines.) Those with on-going research needs may purchase a library card as described below under General Public.

ENTERING THE LIBRARIES.  
A valid Brown University ID card, other authorized card, or letter of referral is required for admittance to the Rockefeller and Sciences libraries, and at all libraries upon request. Entry registration may also be required. All ID's and library cards are non-transferable. 

ACCESS AND BORROWING PRIVILEGES. 
 Access privileges entitle an individual to enter the libraries and to use most library material within the building. Borrowing privileges also include checkout of normally circulating material. (Note: Some services are available only to Brown students, faculty and staff. Privileges for non-Brown ID holders do not include use of computer clusters, course reserves, interlibrary loan, some electronic products, non-print listening and viewing facilities, and carrel assignments.)

LIBRARY POLICIES. 
 All library users are expected to adhere to the rules of Brown University and the Library. Failure to do so may lead to loss of library privileges, fines, University discipline and/or prosecution.

Brown University Affiliation

BROWN STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF.  A current Brown Card ID serves as an individual's library card. Lost IDs should be promptly reported to the Brown Card office: 401-863-CARD. Students completing course work after the period of active enrollment should consult with a Dean to arrange for continued library privileges

OTHER BROWN I.D. HOLDERS. Individuals invited by the Dean of the Faculty to be a Visiting Scholar, or others who have some other special affiliation, may qualify for a Brown ID card, which may allow library access or borrowing. Contact the Brown Card office for more information, 401-863-CARD.

BROWN LEARNING COMMUNITY. Those who join the Brown Learning Community receive a BLC card; this card allows library access. Those in the BLC Learning in Retirement program qualify for a Brown ID card, which allows access and borrowing; these cards are issued at the Brown Card Office. Registration in BLC courses without joining the BLC does not include library access or borrowing privileges.

AFFILIATED HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES. Librarians of the hospitals affiliated with the Brown Medical School are authorized to issue Brown Library access cards to full-time hospital employees. The following hospitals currently participate: Bradley, Butler, Memorial, Miriam, Rhode Island, Veterans, and Women & Infants. Physicians and others who hold a faculty appointment at Brown should use their Brown IDs for library access and borrowing.

BROWN ALUMNI/AE. An access card may be issued at no cost to anyone who has a degree from Brown University. The current rate for alumni borrowing privileges is $75 per year. All cards are issued at the Rockefeller Circulation office; see More Information and Applications below.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY.  Membership in the Friends of the Brown University Library may include library access or borrowing privileges. Current membership categories (good for one year) for non-alumni include $75 for access and $400 for borrowing privileges. Alumni may get a Friends access card for an annual $45 membership, and a borrowing card for an annual $75 membership. Benefits include a newsletter and invitations to special exhibits and events. Telephone: 401-863-1518. E-mail: FOL@brown.edu

FAMILY MEMBERS & GUESTS. The spouse or domestic partner, and children (age 15 and older) of Brown faculty, staff and students may be issued access or borrowing cards. For borrowing, the Brown ID holder assumes responsibility for material and fines. (To apply, see More Information and Applications below.) Other relatives may visit the libraries while accompanied by the individual with the Brown ID. In addition, a Brown ID holder may register one non-relative guest if she/he remains with the guest in the library.

DEPUTY BORROWER. Brown faculty may designate one individual to borrow material for the faculty member's use. The deputy must also be a Brown ID holder. Applications are available from the Rockefeller Circulation Office; see More Information and Applications below.

Other Scholarly Affiliation and Special Categories

CONSORTIUM OF RHODE ISLAND ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES (CRIARL):
     Faculty and professional staff are entitled to borrowing privileges with a valid CRIARL card. CRIARL cards are issued by the library of the home institution, and must then be registered at the Rockefeller Circulation Office.
     Graduate and undergraduate students who have a letter of referral from a Reference Librarian of the home institution may have access for a limited period (3 visits during a one-week period).
(Click here for referral guidelines.)

    CRIARL institutions:

  • Bryant College 

  • Community College of Rhode Island. 

  • Johnson & Wales University 

  • Providence Athenaeum

  • Providence College

  • Providence Public Library

  • Rhode Island College

  • Rhode Island Historical Society

  • Rhode Island School of Design (see below for RISD students)

  • Rhode Island State Library

  • Roger Williams University

  • Roger Williams University School of Law

  • Salve Regina 

  • United States Naval War College 

  • University of Rhode Island

BOSTON LIBRARY CONSORTIUM (BLC).  
Faculty, graduate students, undergraduates and staff are granted access privileges at the Brown Libraries upon presentation of a current institutional ID. (* Boston Public Library patrons must have a BLC Consortium Card for access.) For borrowing privileges, the individual must first obtain a BLC Consortium Card from his/her home library, and then register at the Rockefeller Library Circulation office. 

    BLC Institutions:

  • Boston College

  • Boston Public Library* 

  • Boston University 

  • Brandeis University

  • Marine Biological Laboratory/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Library

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

  • Northeastern University 

  • State Library of Massachusetts

  • Tufts University 

  • University of Connecticut 

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst 

  • University of Massachusetts Boston 

  • University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 

  • University of Massachusetts Lowell 

  • University of Massachusetts Worcester 

  • University of New Hampshire 

  • Wellesley College

  • Williams College

RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN (RISD):  Access to the Brown libraries is granted upon the presentation of a current RISD ID. Faculty may arrange for borrowing privileges under the CRIARL agreement described above. Graduate students and a limited number of undergraduates are permitted to borrow from Brown during the academic year; interested students must first obtain a referral letter from the RISD Library. RISD alumni are welcome as described in the section General Public

WHEATON COLLEGE (Norton, Massachusetts):
Some Wheaton faculty may qualify for a Brown Library borrowing card; contact the Wheaton College Provost for more information: 508-286-8212. During the summer (June-August) all Wheaton ID holders may have access to the Rockefeller and Sciences Libraries upon presentation of a Wheaton ID. SeeGeneral Public below for other options.

OTHER ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS within Rhode Island and Southeastern New England: 
Individuals from non-CRIARL, non-BLC institutions in RI or SE Massachusetts are welcome as described in the section General Public.

OTHER ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS outside of Rhode Island and Southeastern New England:
Faculty and graduate students may apply for access privileges for one two-week period per academic year.  Undergraduates are allowed short-term access (3 visits during a one-week period) with a letter of referral from the home institution library or a RI public library. For extended use of the collections, or borrowing, please see the next section,General Public.

RHODE ISLAND MEDICAL SOCIETY.  Current members of the RIMS may arrange for borrowing privileges at no cost through the Circulation Department of the Rockefeller Library. Inclusion in the current directory or other proof of membership is required, along with personal identification.  

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.  A reduced rate of $37.50 for one-year access is offered to employees of private, non-profit organizations. A letter of verification from the employer is required, along with personal identification.  

General Public

REFERRALS FROM OTHER LIBRARIES.  The Brown Library serves the State of Rhode Island as a special research center. An individual with a short-term research need should first consult a librarian at a Rhode Island public library or at the Dept. of State Library Services. If appropriate, a librarian at one of these libraries may issue a letter of referral to Brown, allowing three visits over a one-week period. (Click here for referral guidelines.)

U.S. GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS.  Brown's collections of United States, United Nations, and Rhode Island government publications are open to the public. Interested users are asked to register at the library entrance. Prior arrangement with the Rockefeller Documents Department is encouraged: weekdays 8:30-5:00; telephone 863-2522; email: Thomas_Stieve@brown.edu). 

CORPORATE BORROWING CARD.  An organization may purchase a borrowing card to be shared among a number of individuals. One person must be designated as responsible for the use of the card and material borrowed on it. Each corporate card admits up to two people at any given time. The current fee is $600.00 per year. 

INDIVIDUAL PURCHASED CARD.  Individuals may purchase access or borrowing cards for specified periods at the following rates: 

  • Access card, one year $75.00

  • Access card, six months $50.00

  • Borrowing card, one year $400.00

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS.
The John Hay Library  invites all students, faculty, readers, and researchers to explore its rich and diverse special collections, rare books, manuscripts and archives. Telephone: 401-863-3723. E-mail: hay@brown.edu  

The Demography Library houses a special collection that supports population studies research. Those not affiliated with Brown University may request in-library use of material. Telephone: 401-863-2371.

The Art Slide Library has slides of art and art-related subjects may be borrowed by faculty and students for use in Brown University courses. Telephone: 401-863-3218. E-mail: Slides@brown.edu.

The John Carter Brown Library is a separately administered unit of Brown University; questions concerning access to it may be directed there. Telephone: 401-863-2725. E-mail: JCBL_Information@brown.edu.

OUR MISSION.
The Brown University Library, in support of the University's educational and research mission, is the local repository for and the principal gateway to current information and the scholarly record. As such, it is simultaneously collection, connection, and classroom, primarily for the current and future students and faculty of the University, while also serving other colleagues in the University community and our regional, national, and global communities of learning and scholarship. Please visit our home page for more information about the library, its collections, and services:

MORE INFORMATION &  APPLICATIONS

Access and Borrowing privileges are authorized in the Rockefeller Circulation office during most hours that the library is open; telephone first if you are coming on a night or weekend to be sure that someone is available to assist you.

Mailing address: 
Circulation Department
Rockefeller Library--Box A,
Providence, RI 02912		 Telephone (401) 863-2165 
Fax (401) 863-3384.

Updated October 31, 2000 
All rates and categories are subject to change.

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