Reference Service:

The Redwood Library receives an average of 500 research requests each year.  We welcome requests from members of the library as well as non-members. You may request basic information by e-mail or by phone or by visiting the Library at 50 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island. 

If extensive research is required we recommend that researchers make an appointment with a reference librarian.

The hours of the reference service are:

              Monday - Wednesday  &  Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm

             Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 7:30 pm

              Saturday: 9:30 – 5:00

              Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00

Occasionally the reference service may be closed if there are no pre-arranged appointments for that day.

Copying Services:

For general research utilizing the general circulating and reference collections researchers may make photocopies in the Perry Stack area.  Reference librarians will make the photocopies for researchers requiring photocopies from Special Collections materials.  The librarians reserve the right to deny requests for photocopies if copying will damage the materials.  Digital imaging of materials can be arranged by the reference staff.

Lap top computers are allowed and small scanning equipment may be allowed if permission is granted prior to the visit.

Preparation for conducting research:

Researchers may want to search the online catalog before visiting the library. We have about 59,000 titles in the online catalog including all of our Newport related titles and the Original 1747 Collection.  For requests that concern Newport and the region use the Advanced Search Form and type, “Newport” as a Keyword in the first line and your specific topic in the second line.   Researcher should keep in mind that the bulk of our collection, approximately 140,000 volumes, is found only in our card catalog in the library.  Patrons will want to search in both catalogs to find all of the works that may be useful for their research.

 

Using the collections:

The Redwood Library staff will be glad to help all researchers to conduct research using both our online catalog and the card catalog.  We will be glad to help scholars of all ages and research levels to find materials in both the circulating and special collections.  Patrons conducting introductory or secondary research may use the Redwood’s very “deep” circulating collections with materials dating back to the 1870’s.  Patrons conducting primary research requiring the use of the Special Collections will be invited to work with a reference librarian in the Slocum Scholar’s Reading Room.  In formation on the Special Collections please see Lisa Long.  The Scholar’s Reading Room materials are delivered to researchers after they have completed the registration forms and presented personal identification.  For more information please contact Lisa Long.

Contacts:

Please contact the reference staff for more information or an appointment.

Lisa Long, Ezra Stiles Special Collections Librarian, llong@redwoodlibrary.org, or (401) 847-0292 x 307.

Robert Kelly , Collections Development Librarian, collections@redwoodlibrary.org, or (401) 847-0292.

Lori Brostuen, Technical Services Librarian, lbrostuen@redwoodlibrary.org, or (401) 847-0295 x104.

Alice Campbell, Public Services Librarian, publicservice@redwoodlibrary.org or (401) 847-0292.