Here is a basic primer to library services on all three campuses, focusing on alterations in services in reaction to COVID-19. We are following State and University guidelines in services. As always, we will do our best to support URI students, faculty, and staff during this challenging time. Please contact us if you experience any difficulties as you work or research.

Have suggestions or comments on services during the crisis? We want to hear from you!

All branches are now open to RI residents! Masks are required inside all branches at all times!

We have restored as many services as possible (see below for details). Should you have additional questions regarding the use of the library, please visit the libraries' website for contact information, changes to hours of operation, and resources available.

The current hours of operation of the three branches and specific services can be found on the Library Hours Page.

Individual offices and resources may not be open all hours.

Distinctive Collections, Makerspace, and AI Lab available by appointment only.

Digital Collections are completely accessible.

As we move back towards full opening, we must insist that all visitors to the Library branches follow the expectations laid out in the Student Handbook. Due to rising COVID rates and University policy, restrictions now apply to everyone, not just the unvaccinated. While we strive to be welcoming spaces, for the safety at all, violations will not be tolerated. The expectations include:

• You must wear a mask covering your mouth and nose at all times
• Do not move the tables and chairs. They are set up for maximum occupancy within social distancing guidelines
• You must maintain 3' distance, even from people you habitually interact with, except for brief conversations
• Food is not allowed in the library spaces
• Drinks in closable containers are allowed, and masks may be removed briefly to drink
• Follow the signs for traffic flow within the spaces
• Immediately comply with any directives from University staff, faculty, and Library-employed students

Normal services have resumed, except:

• Seating will be increased, but not to 100% immediately. Please use the chairs available.
• Group Study rooms are closed except for those on the lower level
• Reference Services are online only (see Box 1 below). They will be in-person as well starting 9/.
• Instructional Services are online only (see Box 4 below) They will be in-person as well starting 9/.

Research help is available (click here to start chat):

• Monday - Thursday -- 11am-3pm.

You can still email us at urilibrarian@gmail.com. Please allow 1-2 business day for an email response.

• Need help finding articles? See our Finding Articles guide.
• Not sure where to start? Check out our InfoRhode Tutorials.

Almost all of the Libraries’ holdings of journals and magazines published since 2000 - and many before that date - can be accessed online using the search tools in the Articles & Databases link on the Libraries' website, and using the URI Libraries Search to look for specific periodicals or articles.

If you use Google Scholar, see the instructions for connecting Google Scholar to the URI Libraries.

If you are studying off-campus, and you connect to resources via the Libraries home page, you will automatically be connected to materials via our proxy server, which authenticates you as a URI student, faculty, or staff member. See https://uri.libguides.com/circulation/ezproxy for more information. 

If a paywalled online information resource is set up to work with URI's proxy server, you can add https://uri.idm.oclc.org/login?url= before the URL to gain access, for example https://uri.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896841120300469.

If your class could benefit from a librarian-led information literacy session, we can deliver sessions remotely. Contact Prof. Mary MacDonald, Information Literacy Librarian, at marymac@uri.edu for more information.

Click on the black arrow to open the chat in a new window.

If we're not online, please email us at urilibrarian@gmail.com. Please allow 1 business day for a response.

We will be adding to this page frequently as the situation changes, and as we develop better systems for providing you access to the materials you need for your research and studies. If you have suggestions, feel free to email us directly at urilibrarian@gmail.com.