Access and Manage Scholarly Resources
Adams Library provides access to thousands of books, eBooks, journals, and other resources for research and teaching. We offer multiple online discovery tools for finding resources, including the WorldCat "everything" catalog , A-Z Database List, Google Scholar with library links, and more. If you want access to articles and materials located at other institutions, we have an efficient interlibrary loan system and a department that will put strong effort into obtaining them for you. Looking for a citation management tool to organize your research materials? Register for a RefWorks account through Adams Library.
Recommend Books and Streaming Media
Suggest purchases for our collections using the Faculty Purchase Recommendation Form or email your library liaison. When items become available, the Library can put them on Course Reserve for your students at your request.
Avoid Paywalls on Popular News Sites
We provide free digital subscriptions to the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Chronicle of Higher Education for all current RIC faculty, students, and staff.
Work with Librarians
Our librarians have different specializations to support academic library operations, research in the disciplines, and information literacy outcomes. Use the live chat box on our website or our Research Help page to find a subject librarian/library liaison, schedule library instruction, or contact the Reference Department in general.
Explore Archives and Special Collections
Our Special Collections Department houses an incredible array of unique materials and the Rhode Island College institutional archives, some of which are accessible online through our updated RIC Digital Collections website (note: work on this system is still being completed). Faculty are invited to contact Veronica Denison, Digital Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, at vdenison@ric.edu to schedule reading room appointments and discuss classroom integrations of special collections. For questions regarding faculty submissions to our institutional repository, email digitalcollections@ric.edu. They will hold workshops at the end of the semester for faculty and students to learn about the new submission procedures via RIC Digital Collections.
Find and Publish Open Educational Resources
Learn about open educational practices and adopt open access publications to reduce textbook costs for your students. For a list of Adams Library guides associated with open practices and resources, visit https://library.ric.edu/open.
Follow Adams Library Social Media
We use @riclibrary on Instagram and Facebook to publicize library hours, resources, and events. Following us on social media is the best way to learn about ongoing exhibits in the library, as well as annual initiatives like the Friends of the Adams Library First Year Research Prize.
Borrow Bestsellers and New Academic Books
Check out our browsing area on Level 3 (main floor). We love to see faculty looking for new academic titles and current fiction and non-fiction bestsellers. You can also visit our New Books & Materials in the Library blog.
Hangout in the Library
Adams Library is a building with four floors and book stacks on every level. It has a variety of spaces that are suited to research, reading, computing and printing, meeting-up with students and colleagues, and watching the baseball team practice. Be sure to look at Library Hours. Please note that Level 2 is for silent study.
Related content: 10 Ways Students Can Use Adams Library
Take a 30-Minute Tour
Meet in the lobby every Wednesday at 1PM and Thursday at 3PM, September 11 through September 26, for a drop-in tour of Adams Library. Learn about study spaces, collections, and so much more. No RSVP required. All participants will receive a custom Adams Library/Biblioteca Adams laptop sticker. New first-years and new transfer students also receive credits toward the Anchors First Program.
Study on Your Own or as a Group
Adams Library is a building with four floors and a lot of different options for studying independently or in a group! For example, you can book a study room. Come to Adams Library to work on assignments, meet classmates, and take breaks. Food and drink are permitted. Be sure to look at Library Hours and note that Level 2 is for silent study.
Find Credible Information for Your Assignments
Adams Library provides access to thousands of books, eBooks, peer-reviewed journals, and other resources for your coursework. We offer multiple online discovery tools for finding sources, including the WorldCat "everything" catalog, A-Z Database List, Google Scholar with library links, and more. If you want access to articles and books located in other places, we have a user-friendly interlibrary loan system. Looking for a citation tool to organize and generate references for your sources? Register for a RefWorks account through Adams Library.
Get Research Help
Looking for assistance with the resources we just mentioned? Want some help evaluating a source? Ask a Reference Librarian or Student Reference Assistant. To find them, you can visit the Reference Desk, use the chat box on our website, or go to the Research Help page to view your subject librarian and then schedule a research help appointment in person or on zoom. Also, check out our online research tutorials, subject guides, and course guides to build your knowledge of specific research strategies and resources.
Borrow Technology
The Borrowing Services desk lends technology to students for 4-weeks at a time. Students can borrow Dell laptops, MacBook Airs, graphing and financial calculators, and other types of devices. Visit the library’s Technology Lending site for more info.
Print in B&W and Color
All current RIC students start each semester with $12.50 of credit on their accounts for printing. B&W printing is deducted at $.05 per page and color printing is deducted at $.25 per page. In Adams Library, you can use your print credits for B&W and color printing. To print, go to one of the desktop computers on Level 3 (library main floor) and then ask for assistance at the Printing Help Desk.
Explore College Archives and Special Collections
Our Special Collections Department houses an incredible array of books, manuscripts, photographs, artifacts, media materials, and the Rhode Island College archives, some of which are accessible online through our updated RIC Digital Collections website (note: work on this system is still being completed). Students are invited to contact Professor Veronica Denison, Digital Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, at vdenison@ric.edu, to ask questions about the collections and schedule reading room appointments.
Browse New and Bestselling Books
Check out our browsing area on Level 3 (main floor). We love to see students looking for new and bestselling fiction and non-fiction. You can also visit our New Books & Materials in the Library blog.
Avoid Paywalls on Popular News Sites
We provide free digital subscriptions to the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Chronicle of Higher Education for all current RIC students.
Follow Adams Library Social Media
We use @riclibrary on Instagram and Facebook to publicize library hours, resources, and events. Following us on social media is one of the best ways to find out about ongoing exhibits in the library, as well as annual initiatives like the Friends of the Adams Library First Year Research Prize.