The Reference Department of  Fondren Library provides research assistance and instruction in the use of library resources (such as the catalog and specialized indexes & databases) to users of the Library.

S E R V I C E S

Reference Desk:

The Reference Staff provide assistance to walk-in users of the Library at the Reference Desk, located on the first floor. Public access computers for searching the catalog and other online research resources are available in the Reference Desk area, and the extensive print reference collection is located immediately adjacent to it.

Online reference assistance:

Members of the Rice community may submit their requests for reference help by email through this online form: http://library.rice.edu/services/reference_assistance/reference-assistance-request-form

Subject-specific research assistance:

The librarians of the reference staff are available to the Rice community for help in conducting research in their areas of specialized subject knowledge. See the list of librarians by subject area for contact information: Subject Specialists

Library tours:

Reference librarians offer Rice students scheduled tours of the library at the beginning of each semester, as well as tours for community groups by special arrangement. Contact Sandi Edwards (ext. 2504 or edwards@rice.edu) for more information.

Bibliographic instruction:

Rice faculty, students, and staff can request individual or class sessions with reference librarians in the use of the library catalog, print resources, online databases, and other library resources. Contact the appropriate subject librarian for more information: Subject Specialists

Our Service Standards

1. Acknowledge in some way, within the first few minutes of their arrival at the Reference Desk, every user waiting for assistance.
2. Consistently follow up with users to see if they have found what they needed within 5 - 10 minutes of inital assistance.
3. Check back at least once with any user remaining at a computer workstation for more than 30 minutes to see if they have found what they needed.
4. Use vacation e-mail and voicemail messages to communicate temporary absences, with emergency/immediate contacts noted as needed.
5. Respond to e-mails and voicemails from faculty and Fondren colleagues within one working day.
6.  Provide timely processing of storage requests, so that all forms submitted by noon (weekdays only) will be retrieved the same day.
7. When taking breaks during weekends and holidays, the Reference Staff will not leave the Desk unattended for more than fifteen minutes, except for one thirty minute meal break (when working a full eight hour shift).
8. The "Reference Librarian will return at" sign should be posted if the Reference Desk will be unattended for more than ten minutes.