Here are some helpful tips:

Books in the RISD Fleet Library are organized by topic using Library of Congress classification system. To find books in the library stacks on Adornment, Jewelry & Metalsmithing topics, you can use this map and these call number ranges as a guide:

GT 500 - 2370  Manners and Customs - Costume. Dress. Fashion.

• This section contains books that approach adornment from a social and cultural history standpoint.

NK 1 - 570  Decorative Arts - General

NK 600 - 806  Decorative Arts - History

NK 4700 - 4890  Decorative Arts - Costume

NK 6400 - 8459  Decorative Arts - Metalwork

• The NK section, particularly this area of it, contains the vast majority of our books on jewelry designers, collections, styles, and individual items (e.g. rings or pendants). Most of these are rich with images. Make sure to look both in RISD Main and RISD Oversize sections if you are browsing, as we have a lot of oversized books in the NK7300 range. 

TS 200 - 770  Metal manufactures. Metalworking

TT 205 - 267  Metalsmithing - Techniques

• The "T" section is technology/technique oriented. Look in TT and TS ranges for practical handbooks and guides on metalsmithing, gem cutting, electroplating, enameling, jewelry repair, and more. 

Suggested SUBJECT searches:

• jewelry
• tattooing
• ceremonial objects
• precious stones

Thesis books are deposited at Fleet Library at the end of each graduate student's time at RISD. Most recent theses can be browsed freely in the library's mezzanine-level Grad Thesis area; older and more delicate work is housed in Archives and can be viewed by appointment. Theses designated as Storage can be requested during open hours on the first floor of the library. See the Index to Graduate Theses to explore theses in detail. Some of RISD's recent Graduate Theses are available to view and download online on RISD's Digital Commons.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a library service that allows the Fleet Library to "check out" materials from other libraries. If we don't have something you need, request it and we'll notify you when it's available.

Through ILL you can request:

• Books
• Book Chapters (PDF)
• Articles (PDF)
• DVDs/Videos
• CDs, Musical Scores

Sign into the Interlibrary Loan portal here with your RISD account.

You can also request items from within Fleet Search (look for the "Request through Interlibrary Loan" option).
This is handy because it will pre-fill the item request form for you.

Step 1: Visit the library homepage and click "My Account" in the top right corner.

Step 2: Follow the instructions on the screen to log in.

Step 3: Click "# Items currently checked out" and click "Renew All" or select the items you'd like to renew. 

If you are prevented from renewing, you may have hit your limit (see "Borrowing" on the website for info). For help, reach out to us: library@risd.edu or (401) 709-5901

Click here to suggest items for the library. We welcome requests and recommendations for books, eBooks, magazines, and films to add to the library collection! RISD faculty and student requests are given first priority. Please check the Fleet library catalog before making a request, and contact Donna DeForbes (ddeforbe@risd.edu) with any questions.