The University of Rhode Island’s University Libraries are committed to providing equal access to library collections, services, and facilities for all library users. We provide  reasonable accommodations and timely access to users with disabilities and follow the guidelines and advice from URI’s Office of Disability, Access, & Inclusion.

Services available to library patrons with disabilities include assistance with:

• Locating and retrieving library materials

• Borrowing of materials through a proxy

• Scanning and photocopying materials

• Looking for accessible digital versions of library materials

Patrons with disabilities who would like help retrieving materials can submit requests in four different ways:

• In person: Bring a list of items to be pulled to the Circulation Desk at any library

• Online: While in the URI Catalog looking at an item record, click the “Sign-in for More Options” link. After signing in, click the “Request” link. Next, choose your preferred pick-up location. You can choose between various campus libraries as your pick-up location, either the Carothers Library in Kingston or the Pell Library in Narragansett.  Then click the REQUEST button. Library staff will retrieve your book and hold it for you at the circulation desk of the library that you selected as your pick-up location.

• By telephone: call the Access Services Department at the Carothers Library (401-874-2672) or the Pell Library (401-874-6161)

• By e-mail: contact the Main Library at librarycirc-group@uri.edu  or the Pell Library at pellib-group@uri.edu. 

Please provide call numbers for all items with your retrieval request. For help with identifying call numbers, ask at any service point, or call 401-874-2672.

If time and staffing allow, library staff may be able to retrieve a few items immediately. Generally, available items will be retrieved within two hours. However, additional time will be necessary to retrieve an extensive list of titles. More time may be required for retrieval during evenings and weekends because fewer staff are available. 

After the items have been retrieved, they will be held for 10 days for pickup by the user or their emissary at the relevant circulation desk. You will be notified by email when requested items are available at the pick-up location.

Students, staff and faculty who are registered with URI’s Office of Disability, Access, & Inclusion and may have a need for another person to pick up their library items should contact Circulation at the Carothers Library.  

• Both the Carothers Library in Kingston and the Pell Library in Narragansett are accessible buildings. 

• The Carothers Library is equipped with automatic entrance/exit doors, elevators, and wheelchair accessible restrooms on the first floor.

• All service desks have wheelchair accessible counters and wheelchair accessible computer workstations are available for use on the first floor.

To plan your visit, please check URI’s Transportation and Parking Page for the location of disabled access parking spaces near the Library.