Main Collection
Books
The books in the library's main collection are listed in the HELIN catalog. The locations show in HELIN as: RIC, RIC Browsing, RIC Reference, RIC Juvenile, and RIC Young Adult. The books are shelved according to their call numbers on the first, second, and third floors.
Browsing Collection
Located on the third floor, it includes newly acquired books as well as popular books including those on best seller lists and for more casual reading.
Circulating Collection
Most of the books in the main collection are part of the circulating collection and can be checked out. This collection is located on the first floor, often referred to as "the stacks."
Some books on law, government, and politics have been separated from the circulating collection. They are shelved on the second floor near the Government Publications area, and they cannot be checked out.
"BIBL" Collection
Books dealing with book publishing and bibliographic organization are listed in the HELIN catalog with the notation "BIBL" before the call number. They are shelved on the second floor , in or near Room 201, and they cannot be checked out.
Children's Collection
The library maintains a limited collection of books for children and young adults, to support courses in education and literature. These books are shelved on the first floor, and they can be checked out.
Music scores
Music scores are listed in the HELIN catalog. They are shelved on the first floor, Level 1A, arranged by call number. Scores can be checked out.
Non-print Materials
Computer Disks
Computer disks are listed in the HELIN catalog. They are held at the Reserves Desk on the third floor, in the Curriculum Resources Center (CRC) on the fourth floor, or Government Publications on the second floor. Computer disks can be checked out.
Microforms
The library maintains a significant collection of research materials on microfiche and microfilm. This collection includes primary sources in modern European history and World War II, British history, and American history. Among the American history sources are materials on Afro-American history and the papers of several American statesmen. Rhode Island materials include maps and constitutional history documents.
Reports and documents from ERIC are available on microfiche, and educational tests are collected in Tests in Microfiche. The Human Relations Area Files, on microfiche and on CD-ROM, are a data archive for cross-cultural research. Islamfiche contains readings on the history and culture of Islam. Early American Imprints are photo-reproductions on microfilm of texts dating prior to 1800.
Most of the microforms are listed in the HELIN catalog. They are kept in cabinets in or near the Microforms Room on the third floor. Readers and reader/printers are available for both microfiche and microfilm.
Sound Recordings
The library maintains a collection of compact disks. These sound recordings are listed in the HELIN catalog. They are held at the Reserves Desk on the third floor, and they can be checked out.
Video Cassettes
Video cassettes are listed in the HELIN catalog. They are held either at the Reserves Desk on the third floor or in the Curriculum Resources Center (CRC) on the fourth floor. Video cassettes can be checked out.