Extended Winter Break
Brown University administration has generously planned an extended Winter Break from the close of business on Thursday, December 22, 2022 through Sunday, January 8, 2023. In order to maintain support of students, faculty, and researchers during this time, while giving dedicated library staff members well-deserved time off, the University Library will be offering limited building hours and services. Please take note of the time-sensitive services listed below so that you can plan ahead and obtain the materials you will need in advance of the break.
Please consult Library Hours for up-to-date hours for each location.
Place orders for Annex, Borrow Direct, and Holds by Dec. 20
Please place orders for materials from the Library Annex and through Borrow Direct by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20 for pickup on Thursday, December 22. We will be unable to place items on hold during the break. Note that delivery of Borrow Direct materials may vary depending on the operations of our partner libraries.
Which locations will be open? Who can use the buildings?
The Rockefeller Library will be open (without services) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (see exceptions below) with swipe card access for current Brown ID holders only. Visitors without a current Brown ID will not be able to access the buildings. Please see the Library Hours and Locations page for details.
The John Hay Library, Sciences Library, and Orwig Music Library will be closed during the break.
Will you close completely for some days?
All University Library locations will be closed with no on-site or online services on Friday, December 23, Christmas Eve (Saturday, December 24), Christmas Day (Sunday, December 25), and New Year’s Day (Sunday, January 1).
Self-checkout
Self-checkout of circulating materials will be available at the Rockefeller Library and Sciences Library during break and continuing with regular operations.
How can I get help from a library expert?
Limited support for the Brown community and researchers working on time-sensitive projects will be available on the days when we are not fully closed via email at [email protected]. Please allow 12 – 24 hours for a response.
Will Interlibrary Loan be available?
You may continue to place orders through Interlibrary Loan for electronic journal articles. Note that delivery dates and times will vary depending on the operations of our partner libraries.
Can I view special collections material?
Requests for special collections material can be made at any time through Aeon. John Hay Library staff will respond to requests that come in over break beginning the week of January 9. Thousands of items have been digitized and are available for view at any time through the Brown Digital Repository.
Who will be on-site when the buildings are open?
The Library will have security guards in the buildings when they are open by card swipe access. Please note that security guards are not Library employees. They are not able to answer research questions and cannot retrieve library materials.
Happy Holidays!
Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and restful winter break from your Brown University Library!