The Redwood Library welcomes reference requests from members of the library as well as non-members. Researchers may contact our reference staff by email, at reference@redwoodlibrary.org or by phone (401-847-0292) to request basic information and schedule reference appointments for further research.
Reference appointments are required for research visits and all access to Special Collections.
Our hours for reference services are Monday-Saturday 1:00-5:00 p.m. Scheduled appointments with reference staff are available during these times and are provided free of charge to library members and students. Non-members are charged $20 for the first visit and $10 for any additional visits on the same research topic.
Photocopies are permitted for items from the general circulating and reference collections. Staff must assist with any requests to photocopy Special Collections material and we reserve the right to deny requests for photocopies of fragile materials. Personal photos of Special Collections material are allowed for research use only. If you require an image of something from our collections for usage in a publication or lecture, please visit our Research page for our Image Reproduction and Usage policies and fees.
Preparation for conducting research: Researchers may want to search the on-line catalog before visiting the library. There are approximately 66,000 titles in the online catalog, including all of our Newport-related titles and the Original 1747 Collection. Researchers 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 relevant to their research. View the Research Tools tab above to find all of our on-line search tools.
Using the collections: The Redwood Library staff will be glad to help all researchers conduct research using both our on-line catalog, card catalog, finding aids, and additional resources. We will be glad to help scholars of all ages and research levels find materials in both the circulating and special collections. Patrons conducting introductory or secondary research may use the Redwood’s very rich circulating collections with materials dating back to the 1870s. Patrons conducting primary research requiring the use of the Special Collections will be invited to work with a reference librarian in the Slocum Scholars' Reading Room.
