Brown University Library News

Brown University will be on winter break from the close of business on Monday, December 22, 2025, through Monday, January 5, 2026, returning on Tuesday, January 6. 

In order to maintain support of students, faculty, and researchers during this time while giving dedicated library staff members well-deserved time off, the University Library will be offering limited building hours and services. Please take note of the time-sensitive services listed below so that you can plan ahead and obtain the materials you will need in advance of the break.

Who can use which building?

The Rockefeller Library will be open without library services by swipe card access only from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on December 29, 30, and January 2 for current Brown ID holders only. Visitors without a current Brown ID will not be able to access the building. Please see Libraries and Hours for details. The John Hay Library, the Sciences Library, and Orwig Music Library will be closed during the break.

Will you close completely for some days?

All University Library locations will be closed with no on-site or online services on Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24), Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25), New Year’s Eve (Wednesday, December 31), and New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1).

Self-checkout

Self-checkout of circulating materials will be available at the Rockefeller Library as usual.

How can I get help from a library expert?

Limited support for the Brown community and researchers working on time-sensitive projects will be available on the days when we are not fully closed via email at rock@brown.edu. Please allow 12 to 24 hours for a response.

Can I view special collections material?

Requests for special collections material can be made at any time through Aeon. John Hay Library staff will respond to requests that come in over break beginning January 6. 

Thousands of items have been digitized and are available for view at any time through the Brown Digital Repository. The Gildor Family Special Collections Reading Room will have limited hours during Winter Session in January, by appointment only. Detailed information about appointments is available at Visiting the Brown University Special Collections. Please check Libraries and Hours for updated information. Reference requests received via the Question Form will be reviewed starting on January 6. 

Who will be on-site when the buildings are open?

The Library will have security guards in the buildings when they are open by card swipe access only. Please note that security guards are not library employees. They are not able to answer research questions and cannot retrieve library materials.

Happy Holidays

Best wishes to all for a peaceful, healthy, and restorative winter break.

The Brown University Library is here to support the Brown community.

For the most up-to-date information about Brown University operations, please visit Brown.edu.

Locations and Hours

• The Rockefeller Library will remain open from Monday through Friday, December 15 to 19, and Monday, December 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
• All current Brown ID holders have swipe card access at the Rock during these days and times.
• Most library services will be available at the Rock.
• Live chat will be in operation during the same time period.
• If you have any questions or concerns, email rock@brown.edu.

All other University Library locations will be closed until we return from winter break in January. Winter break is scheduled to run from Tuesday, December 23, 2025, through Monday, January 5, 2026, with campus operations resuming on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. See Libraries and Hours for complete information.

Services

All Students

All students have swipe card access at the Rock during open hours. Circulation will be operating at the Rock, however, BorrowDirect requests will not be processed until we return in January. If you already had materials on hold at the Rock from BorrowDirect, you can still pick them up at the Rock. Interlibrary loan services are available for online articles only until Thursday, December 18. Book requests will be processed in January.

Though the Orwig Music Library will be closed, Brown community members who need Orwig items may email orwig@brown.edu to make arrangements for access. 

Brown Medical Students

In addition to ID swipe access at the Rock, medical students, faculty, and staff (only) have 24/7 access by ID swipe to the Champlin Memorial (Medical) Library in The Warren Alpert Medical School building.

Resources

We are deeply concerned for the welfare of the Brown community. Please make use of the resources available to you if needed, as communicated by University administration.

For Students

See the December 14 message from the Division of Campus Life for a listing of resources for both wellbeing and academic support.

For Faculty and Staff

See the December 14 message from University Human Resources for a listing of wellbeing resources.

How to Help

Safety and Reporting

As described on Brown.edu, any individual with information that may be relevant to law enforcement should call 401-272-3121. Call Brown DPS at 401- 863-3322, the Providence Police at 401-272-3121, or dial 9-1-1 if you feel unsafe. More information about campus safety can be found on the Brown DPS website.

Ways to Contribute

• If you are able to offer assistance in the form of items, funds, professional skills, or anything else to students who may not be able to access necessities, please fill out the Undergraduate Council of Students’ Brown University Community Assistance form.
• The University has set up a Student Emergency Support Fund to assist students in need who have been impacted by the shooting. Donations to the fund can be made online.
• Save lives by donating blood to the Rhode Island Blood Center.

This Is Your Library

Our hearts and thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragic shooting on campus, and we wish everyone peace, comfort, and healing during this difficult time.