The mission of the Fleet Library at RISD is to support the instructional and research needs of RISD faculty, students, alumni and staff, including the curators and staff of The RISD Museum. In addition, we are committed to providing resources for the larger artistic, scholarly, business and design communities and we support an open door policy welcoming all visitors. Location & Directions
VISITORS PLEASE NOTE
RISD is a private institution that allows the public in-library use of most collections and services. Priority for collections and services will go to the RISD community. The Library reserves the right to revoke visiting privileges when library guidelines are not adhered to. Because the Fleet Library is a shared facility with student housing, members of the public who wish to enter the library must register at the Public Safety desk inside the 15 Westminster Street entrance. A photo ID will need to be shown unless one of the following cards is presented:
· RISD Alumni card
· Fleet Library at RISD membership card
· CRIARL (Consortium of RI Academic & Research Libraries) card
· Athenaeum Membership card
· Brown University ID
Once inside the library, visitors are required to sign in at the Circulation Desk. Library Staff can log visitors into computers at this time. Due to the security requirements of the building, no non-RISD library visitors will be allowed in after 7pm or when the library is closed.
Access to the second floor of the library requires an appointment; this includes the Archives & Special Collections, the Artists’ Book Collection and the Picture Collection. (Visitors may not use the Slide Collection.)
Visitors who wish to borrow books may purchase a library membership. Annual fees are as follows:
Membership privileges include borrowing up to 5 books at a time and up to 200 images from the Picture Collection and the ability to reserve conference/classrooms up to twice a month on a space available basis. Borrowing privileges do not include RISD MEDIA-videos, DVDs, and CDs.
Visitors may make use of library computers, except laptop computers.
We are glad to offer reference and research assistance, but please understand that our priority is the RISD community.
While the Copy/Print/Scan facility is intended primarily for the use of current students, faculty and staff, public visitors may also make use of it; however, studio output, volume printing or copying and use for commercial concerns are prohibited. Self-service public photocopiers and printers are used with copy cards, which can be purchased onsite.
Visitors do not have the use of interlibrary loan, class reserves, or offsite access to licensed databases. Classrooms and conference rooms may be used on a space-available basis but may not be reserved in advance.
Visitors under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent, teacher or guardian.