Borrowing Services

Current Rice faculty, staff & students, Friends of Fondren Library members, retired staff, and faculty emeritus with active Rice NetIDs may borrow items owned by Fondren Library using their Rice ID or a government-issued photo ID and verification of identity at the circulation desk.

• For items we don’t own, you have access via Interlibrary Loan (ILL) or On-Site ILL for some Texas libraries. You may also suggest a purchase for our collection.
• Professors can use this Faculty Proxy Borrowing Privileges form to allow teaching or research assistants to check out books on their behalf

Fines/Overdue Fees

Fondren charges overdue fines for study room keys, technology checked out from circulation such as chargers or a computer mouse, and recalled items. You can review what fees you have, as well as any overdue items checked out to you, by signing into your library account on the Fondren homepage.

Overdue Notices

• Users will receive three email notifications once an item becomes overdue -- ensure your email is up to date on your library account and in Esther.

Guidelines and Information

• Fines of $5.00 or more will prevent online renewals and self-checkouts.
• Students with unpaid fines that have been sent to the Cashier's Office will have a hold on their accounts.
• Staff with unpaid bills may have their balances deducted from their final paycheck.
• Faculty must clear their account and return all materials before leaving the university.
• Overdue items can not be renewed online.

Lost Items and Replacement Fees

Overdue items will be billed as “Lost” after 90 days and three overdue email notifications have been emailed. Library accounts also become blocked at this time.  Each bill includes a  replacement charge for the item, and any other applicable fines/overdue fees, such as fines for recalled materials.

How to Pay

• Pay fines and fees by cash or check at the Fondren circulation desk any time we are open.
• After 4-6 weeks, all student charges are sent to the Cashier's Office. 
• Library accounts remain blocked until all fees are paid or sent to the Cashier's office.

Replacement Fees

• Lost item replacement costs are determined by the call number and other factors, such as the number of components and availability.
• The replacement charge can only be refunded in the first 4-6 weeks after the bill is emailed to the account on file with Fondren and Rice. After that time period, the charge is transferred to the Cashier's Office.

Replacing a Lost or Damaged Item

• Users who want to supply a replacement copy of a lost or damaged item should contact circulation staff for guidance on providing an acceptable replacement copy

Extenuating Circumstances

Did something unfortunate happen to Fondren Library materials checked out to you, such as water damage in a Houston rainstorm or theft from a vehicle? Please contact us as soon as possible.

Loan Periods

*With institutional affiliation, reciprocal borrowing agreement

**Fines on recalled items are $1.00/day

***Contact us with a Reference question to request extensions

Even if you're not affiliated with Rice University directly, you can still borrow items from Fondren Library. Visit our Community Borrowers page to see if you are eligible to borrow items through these local institutions.

Confidentiality of Library Records

Fondren Library values and respects the right to privacy and confidentiality of the information which is shared and collected by us. User information collected by Fondren Library is kept private and confidential. No information collected by the library will be given or sold to any entity outside the Fondren Library, unless required by law.