Brown University administration has generously planned an extended winter break for staff from the close of business on Friday, December 20, 2024 through Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Note that the Rockefeller Library and Sciences Library will be open without library services on Saturday, December 21, the last day of finals (see hours for details).
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.
Annex, Borrow Direct, and Holds
Please place orders for materials from the Library Annex by 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 19 for pickup on Friday, December 20. We will be unable to place items on hold during the break. Delivery of Borrow Direct materials may vary depending on the operations of our partner libraries.
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 26 to 27 and January 2 to 3, for current Brown ID holders only. Visitors without a current Brown ID will not be able to access the buildings. Please see the Library Hours and Locations page 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 (Tuesday, December 24), Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25), New Year’s Eve (Tuesday, December 31), and New Year’s Day (Wednesday, 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 – 24 hours for a response.
Will Interlibrary Loan be available?
You may continue to place orders through ILLiad (interlibrary loan and Borrow Direct) for electronic journal articles. Delivery dates and times will vary depending on the operations of our partner libraries. Physical items can be requested through Monday, December 16 for pickup at the Rockefeller Library on or by Friday, December 20. You will receive an email when materials are ready for pickup.
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 the week of 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 the week of 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. 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 happy, healthy, and restorative winter break!