Rice Campus

Fondren Library  

Fondren Library was founded in 1913 with an initial collection of fewer than 200 volumes. Today Rice's modern research library supports the university's teaching and research efforts with a broad range of collections and services:  

•  More than 2.6 million volumes, including more than 68,000 electronic books
• More than 77,000 current journal subscriptions
• More than 3.3 million microforms
• Sizeable collections of audio-visual materials, music and maps
• More 450 in dexes and databases that provide targeted access to journal literature, including JSTOR, IEEE Explore, LexisNexis Academic, and Scopus
• Rice’s largest computer lab, with online availability tracking
• User Experience (UX) Office studies user behavior to inform library services

General collections:

• Excellent coverage in art, architecture, history, literature, music, philosophy, languages, economics, social sciences, natural sciences and engineering
• Selective depository for United States and Texas government publications
• Selective depository for U.S. patents and trademarks  

Special collections:   

Woodson Research Center

•  More than 39,000 rare books, including 18th-century British drama, science history, Texana, Confederate imprints and aeronautics history
• More than 500 manuscript collections containing Texas and Houston history; politics and entrepreneurship; oil and gas; Civil War history; women's history; science; architecture, fine and performing arts; and 20th-century literary authors with Rice connections, as well as a developing research collection in Latin American resources.
• Archives of Rice University

Rice Digital Scholarship Archive (an open source D-Space repository)

• Rice faculty members' research
• Electronic theses and dissertat ions
• Digitized collections (rare or unique books, images, musical performances, and manuscripts)

Space use/research support:

• Library Service Center provides secure off-campus storage and efficient retrieval of the library’s lower-use resources
• More than 30 study and conference rooms for individual and collaborative work 
• A Rice-only reading room (on the sixth floor)
• John T. King Room, a collaborative media lounge
• Clear, convenient signage and service points 
• Book scanners available to scan physical resources for a USB drive or email
• Digital delivery of materials stored at the Library Service Center and through Fondren’s Interlibrary Loan service (free to Rice users)
• Enhanced website offering research support, including access through the traditional catalog, federated search (One Search) and an electronic journal portal
• Communication via chat, SMS texting, Facebook, Twitter, and blogs
• Open 24 hours on weekdays and extended hours on weekends

Classes/tutorials:

• Fast Classes on social media and technology tools
• Workshops on specific electronic resources
• In-class sessions on research methodology
• Classes on patents
• Classes on geographic information systems (GIS) management and visualization for all disciplines
• Classes on bibliographic software, video editing, and podcasting
• LibGuides, online research guides on specific subjects 

Digital Media Center (DMC) in Herring Hall:

• Access to equipment, software and expertise for producing or using digital media
•  Equipment to record, digitize and edit audio and video
• Digital cameras, digital camcorders, digital audio recorders, microphones and tripods available for checkout
• Equipment to create your own DVD; duplicate DVDs and CDs (up to 25 copies at a time)
• Programs for making animations and creating or editing graphics

 Fondren at the BioScience Research Center (BRC) 

• Open 24 hours on weekdays and extended hours on weekends
• Study spaces
• Meeting rooms
• Audio/Visual Room
• Podium and Projector
• Library staff hours