Welcome! In this slideshow, you'll take a brief tour of Rice Library and discover the different resources and services available, as well as the features of each of the four floors.

This floor has two of the library's major staffed services, Checkout and Reference. You'll also find great reference books, plenty of computers, comfortable seating, magazines, leisure paperbacks, and large DVD and CD collections.

At the Checkout counter you can check out and return books, DVDs/CDs, print reserve items, laptops and MacBooks, headphones, and dry erase markers for use in group study rooms.

Whether you have a quick question or need assistance with a research project, the reference librarians are available during most library hours. They're happy to help one-on-one at the Reference Desk or in an individual consultation, and by phone, email, or chat!

Adjacent to the service desk is a large collection of invaluable reference dictionaries, handbooks, and subject encyclopedias – perfect for starting research.

Students are attracted to the Browsing Periodicals area for its natural light, study tables, and comfortable seating. Many current and recent past issues of magazines and newspapers are displayed around the room.

These labs are ideal for individual or group work; each lab has its own scanner and networked printer. Librarian-led instruction is held in Lab A.

These labs are ideal for individual or group work; each lab has its own scanner and networked printer. Librarian-led instruction is held in Lab A.

Stop by the Information Wall and check out the book displays, research guides, and library and campus information.

For your convenience, there are b/w and color copiers (one even scans to email!), a self-checkout station, and a machine to put money on your Eagle Access card (required for printing and copying).

Browse through the collections of DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and popular paperbacks. Large-format maps and microforms are also in this area.

There are Black and White printers available on every floor and in the Labs.

The library's only color printer, is located adjacent to the sixteen PCs in front of Checkout and next to a black/white printer.

An Eagle Access Card is needed to print in the library.

Group study rooms, varying in size to accommodate groups of 2 to 12, are located on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors.

The 2nd through 4th floors house the General Collection, which contains non-fiction and fiction books. They can be checked out at each floor's self-check station, or at the Checkout Counter on the main floor.

The 2nd floor Grand Reading Room has tables wired for laptop use, comfortable seating, and a great view of the campus quad. It is designated for quiet study only.

The Archives preserve materials concerning USI's operations and history, while regional history, communal studies, and rare books are among the Special Collections.

The Communal Studies Collection reflects the interest of the research conducted by the Center for Communal Studies. The University Archives and Special Collections collects materials, publications and general information on intentional communities around the world.

This reading room is designated for quiet study.

As on the Main Floor, there are convenient self-check stations, printers, and black/white copiers on each upper floor.

Each floor has many PCs located throughout, while the Main and Fourth Floors have Macs.

Located in the public area just outside the door of the library, the Kiosk has a map of the entire building, and a slideshow highlighting important information about the library.

Highlights including:

• Library hours and policies
• Services and collections
• Areas in the building