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FLEET LIBRARY | Research Guides

Rhode Island School of Design

Faculty Guide to Library Resources

An outline of library's services and resources for faculty: course reserves, off campus access to databases, e-journals, interlibrary loan, instruction, research assistance, and more

How to Use This Guide

Welcome to the Faculty Guide to Library Resources. This is the landing page where you can learn about all of the services and resources Fleet Library offers to faculty. If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at researchhelp@risd.edu.

Select from the tabs at left to navigate different topics. 

photo of fleet library from the mezzanine level

Access to the Library

Fleet Library Access 

The library is open to holders of the following cards during our open hours. Please note: Special Collections and Archives require appointments.

  • RISD Student, Faculty, Staff IDs
  • RISD Alumni card
  • Athenaeum Membership card
  • Brown University current ID
  • CRIARL card (for CRIARL faculty & staff)
  • Current RISD Continuing Education students with proof of registration.

Call or email if you would like to confirm current policies. If you have one of the above cards and cannot enter through the outer building door, call the Public Safety booth at (401) 427-6916.

Others needing access to RISD's specialized resources must make an appointment in advance with a Research Librarian.

Visitors under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent, teacher or guardian.

Access to the Providence Athenaeum: Show your RISD ID for access to the Athenaeum. 

Access to Brown University Libraries: Show your RISD ID to access Brown libraries and register for a borrower account. Please be sure to have a working RISD Library account in good standing. Access to Brown's electronic subscription databases is available on-site via designated visitor computers at the Rockefeller and Sciences libraries. We continue to recommend using our Interlibrary Loan service to request items not locally available at RISD or Brown. See Brown's full policies here. Please contact a Research Librarian if you would like assistance on the RISD side. 

Other questions? Email us at library@risd.edu.