Visiting the Library
Library facilities are academic buildings intended to support the educational and research purposes of Brown University, and are primarily for the use of those holding Brown IDs. Hours for visitors are limited, and we reserve the right to deny access at any time to those not holding Brown IDs.
All library users must comply with Brown University’s Student Conduct & Community Standards. Library facilities may not be used for commercial or paid services.
Our Locations
John Hay Library
The John Hay Library houses the University’s Archives and many special collections on a wide variety of topics. The John Hay Library and its exhibit spaces are open to the public.
Appointments are required for use of special collections in the Gildor Family Special Collections Reading Room.Please review the John Hay Library’s Visiting information before your visit.
John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library
Also known as “the Rock,” the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library is the research library for the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts.
Access to this library is limited to current Brown ID holders, Brown Community members and consortial partners. For more information, please see the user categories below which list the types of users who are accorded access.
Sciences Library
The Sciences Library holds materials that support study and research in the fields of medicine, psychology, neural science, environmental science, biology, chemistry, geology, physics, engineering, computer science, and pure and applied mathematics.
Access to this library is limited to current Brown ID holders, Brown Community members and consortial partners. For more information, please see the user categories below which list the types of users who are accorded access.
Orwig Music Library
The Virginia Baldwin Orwig Music Library houses the general music collection on campus: music books, scores, periodicals, sound recordings, and video recordings. The collection supports the curriculum of the Music Department and provides material for general use by the Brown community and individuals conducting research in the fields of Music or Theatre Arts and Performance Studies.
Champlin Memorial Medical Library
Located in The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, this library is open only to Alpert Medical School students. It provides Medical students with online access to the Library’s extensive collection of electronic journals, textbooks, and databases, and contains no on-site physical collections.
Library Collections Annex
The Annex is a high-density storage facility for library collections located off-campus. Material shelved at the Annex may be requested using the Library’s online catalog (BruKnow) and items are delivered to campus libraries usually within 24 hours. There is no on-site access to this library for Brown ID holders or other users.
Brown University Community
Alumni
All Brown alumni can obtain an Alumni Library Card for a one time $15 processing fee. The card provides alumni with certain borrowing privileges and access to Library buildings. It may be used for borrowing material held by the Brown University Library only; it does not grant access to online resources by users outside Library buildings or to interlibrary loan services.
Alumni also have access to the Brown Alumni Library Online, a collection of more than five thousand titles including scholarly journals, business journals, news sources, and archives.
Family of Current Brown Students, Faculty, and Staff
Brown ID holders may apply for a library card for their spouse/partner and dependent children. The card may be used to borrow material held by the Brown University Library and to access Library buildings. To request this card, please inquire at the Rockefeller Library circulation desk.
Proxy Borrowers
Brown faculty members are able to appoint a proxy borrower, who may borrow library items on their behalf. The proxy borrower must be a Brown ID holder. Email rock@brown.edu for more information.
Guest of a Brown ID Holder
Brown ID holders may sign in a guest. The Brown ID holder must accompany and leave with their guest, and is responsible for the behavior of their guest.
Consortial Partners
Individuals who are current faculty, staff or students at a consortial partner institution may be eligible for Brown Library building access and borrowing privileges.
RISD
RISD faculty, staff, and students are accorded access and borrowing privileges. A valid institutional ID must be presented at each visit.
HELIN
Brown is no longer a member of the HELIN consortium. However, faculty, staff, and students at HELIN institutions can receive access privileges at the Brown Library. A valid institutional ID must be presented at each visit. Learn more about services for HELIN members.
SHARES
Faculty, staff, and students from SHARES member institutions will be accorded library access. A valid institutional ID must be presented at each visit.
CRIARL
Faculty and staff from CRIARL member institutions may obtain access and borrowing privileges. A CRIARL card and current institutional ID must be presented at each visit.
BorrowDirect Institutions
Current faculty, staff, and students from Borrow Direct member institutions are accorded access and borrowing privileges at the Brown Library. A valid institutional ID must be presented at each visit.
Additional Arrangements
American Mathematical Society (AMS) Staff
At the request of the Director of the American Mathematical Society, the library will grant borrowing privileges to select AMS employees. The card may be used for borrowing Brown material only. Other restrictions may apply.
Rhode Island Medical Society (RIMS) Members
Current members of the Rhode Island Medical Society (RIMS) may request library access and borrowing privileges for material held by the Brown Library. RIMS membership is annual and must be requested each year.
Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP)
The Library’s U.S. Government Documents Collection is available to all U.S. citizens. Please contact us in advance of your visit with a list of the documents you would like to access so that we may determine if they are available, and to ensure that there will be staff to assist you.
Brown University Library Card
Anyone with a research need may purchase building access cards for specified periods at the following rates : Building access card, one year $75.00. Borrowing cards may be purchased for $400.00 and are valid for one year. These cards may be used for borrowing Brown material only. Other restrictions may apply. A valid picture ID must be presented to purchase an access or borrowing card. Email rock@brown.edu for more information.