Frequently Asked Questions @ the URI Libraries

If a book you need is not available at URI, books can be requested through Interlibrary Loan. You can also check in the public libraries throughout the state of Rhode Island by searching in the Ocean State Libraries Catalog.

If the book you need is not available in either the URI Libraries Search or the Ocean State Libraries Catalog, you can submit an interlibrary loan request to have the book sent here from other libraries throughout the country. 

Your student ID works as your library card. Each ID has a unique 12 digit barcode printed on the front that is used to check out materials. See the section on Activating and Renewing Library Cards for more information on activating your library card.

Atrium Campus Connect is an app that allows you to access a virtual version of your URI ID. Please note that you'll still need your physical card if reserving a library study room/markers.

If you have a virtual ID, you may need to flip the card to access the barcode. (More details on IDs is available from the Campus ID & Dining Office.)

 

If you are trying to log in to access articles and database from off campus but you are receiving an error message after you enter your URI email address/password and URI SSO, the issue may be that your account has not been activated. Please contact the Circulation Desk to check to make sure your card is active.  

If you have already contacted the Circulation Desk to confirm that your account is active, try clearing your history and then restarting the browser. Occasionally, this problem can occur if your browser is retaining cookies from previous sessions so it will not recognize the new information.  If clearing your history does not work, you can try using a different browser all together (e.g. if you were using Safari, try Firefox or Chrome). 

Undergraduate students receive a 28-day loan for books, while faculty members and graduate students receive a 120-day loan. A borrowed book can be renewed as long as it has not be requested by another patron. Visit the library guide on Circulation and Borrowing for more information.    

Graduate students working on scholarly research projects can apply to reserve an Individual Research/Study Carrel for the Academic Year. For more information, please visit Individual Research/Study Carrels for policies, details, and to download the application.

Individual and group study rooms for short-term use are available to undergraduate and graduate students on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information on study room policies visit Group Study Rooms. 

Yes! However, access to databases from off-campus is limited to current students, faculty and staff members. In order to access resources from off-campus you will be required to enter your URI email address and SSO/Brightspace password. For more information, visit our guide on off-campus access through EZproxy.

Emeritus faculty can also access library resources from off-campus. For help with an emeritus account please contact the IT Service Desk.

You can complete an interlibrary loan request for any articles that cannot be accessed from URI.  You can also try searching to see if any of the public libraries throughout the state of Rhode Island subscribes to the journal or periodical you are looking for through the Ocean State Libraries Catalog.

For further assistance, contact a librarian at the Reference & Research Help Desk

For in-person assistance, librarians are available at the Reference & Research Help Desk and at the Circulation Desk, located on the first floor of the Robert L. Carothers Library & Learning Commons. You can also reach out to the library through our Live Chat, email, or by phone. 

If you are just starting your research, it is usually best to try searching in one of the General & Reference databases, like Academic Search Complete. Databases that are interdisciplinary can give you articles about your topic written by scholars in many different fields. If you need more advanced research, look in the Articles & Databases list to find a database that most closely matches your field.  When you click on the All Subjects pull-down menu at the top, review the "Best Bets" at the top of the page to see if there is an even more precise database to use for your research topic. 

Online book suggestions forms are available if you would like to recommend a particular book for the library to purchase. Requests will be forwarded to the Collection Management Officer who can be contacted if you have further questions about material acquisition.  

URI provides access to over 300 databases. You can browse the online databases available through the URI library by subject, or alphabetically by title by visiting Databases @ URI. To access the databases from off-campus, you must be a current student, staff, faculty, or emeritus faculty. Community members are welcome to visit the library to access the databases from a public computer. Please review URI's Visitor Parking guidelines before arrival.

Books that are already checked out may be requested through the URI Libraries Search. Sign in with your URI SSO and select the "Request" option. Once the book has been recalled, it must be returned to circulation desk by a date specified on the recall notice, and you will be notified when the book is available for you to at the Circulation Desk.

Disclaimer: If no "Request" option exists, there may be a problem with your account. Contact the Circulation Desk for more information.

There are many details in journals and articles that can help you determine if the article you found is scholarly. The Comparing Sources guide provides you with the information and details to help you decide if your article meets the scholarly criteria. 

There are numerous subject, course, and assignment user guides available online to assist you with your research. The library also offers a series of video tutorials to assist you with the research process, including how to use the URI Libraries Search and databases.

The university catalog, URI Libraries Search, allows you to search for books, periodicals, videos, and other resources that are available here at URI.

The Association of Research Libraries provides a Know Your Copy Rights infographic, as well as a Code of Best Practices to help you understand fair use as it applies to higher education. For more information, we also offer a LibGuide on Fair Use and Copyright for Online Education.

Due to staffing constraints, the librarians are no longer able to provide interdepartmental liaison assistance. If you'd like to speak with a librarian for research help, please contact us at researchhelp@uri.edu.

If you would like to recommend a book for purchase, contact our Collection Mangement Officer. 

Yes, there are numerous study spaces throughout the library with access to electrical outlets. To access the internet, you will need to connect to one of the URI Wireless networks. Visit the URI ITS WiFi page for more information and for instructions on connecting your personal device. 

URI subscribes to many journals that provide online access. To search for online articles, consult the Finding Articles user guide as it explains the process of searching for articles by subject, or if you have the complete citation. URI also maintains a list of full text E-Journals, that can be searched by title, DOI, or browsed by subject.

Faculty and professional staff on a continuing appointment are eligible to apply for a Consortium of Rhode Island Academic and Research Libraries Card. The CRIARL Card provides access to all college and university libraries in Rhode Island, and a selection of non-academic research libraries. Requests for a CRIARL card can be made to the Head of Access Services at the University Library in Kingston or the Pell Marine Science Library in Narragansett.